M&A Advisory Services Firms in Edinburgh: Top Companies Guide

M&A activity often goes beyond simply buying or selling a business, encompassing risk management, valuation analysis, and deal structuring for long-term outcomes. In Edinburgh, advisory firms guide through these processes, whether they are planning an acquisition, preparing for a sale, or exploring strategies for growth.

Rather than ranking providers, the aim of this guide is to offer practical context on how different firms operate in the city. Edinburgh’s advisory sector includes businesses that support owner-managed companies, private equity-backed firms, and larger corporate groups, offering services from transaction support and due diligence to valuations and restructuring across a variety of industries.

Acumon

Acumon is a UK-based firm of chartered accountants providing expert M&A advisory and transaction support services for businesses involved in acquisitions, disposals, restructuring, and ownership transitions. The firm offers its services to companies across Scotland, including those in Edinburgh, providing practical guidance through various stages of the transaction process, including valuations, due diligence, deal structuring, and financial planning.

Acumon’s team is composed of experienced professionals who help businesses navigate the complexities of M&A transactions, ensuring that each stage, from negotiation to post-deal integration, is managed effectively. The firm also supports management buyouts (MBOs), management buy-ins (MBIs), and succession planning, making sure that ownership transitions are structured with careful attention to financial, tax, and operational considerations. Their advisory work for businesses in Edinburgh is built around aligning the transaction outcomes with the long-term strategic goals of their clients.

M&A Advisory Capabilities:

Acumon provides comprehensive M&A advisory services for businesses at various stages of the deal process. These include:

• Buy-side acquisition support
• Sell-side transaction preparation
• Vendor and financial due diligence
• Commercial due diligence reviews
• Business valuation analysis
• MBO and MBI transaction advisory
• Succession and exit planning
• Company demerger support
  M&A engagements are handled by senior professionals, ensuring that every aspect of the deal receives focused attention and strategic insight.

Transaction Scope and Deal Support:

Acumon’s M&A advisory services cover the entire transaction lifecycle, from initial planning to post-deal integration. Key services include:

• Owner-managed business sales
• Acquisition planning and negotiations
• Transaction structuring support
• Funding and investment preparation
• Cross-entity transaction review
• Post-acquisition integration planning
• Risk identification during transactions
• Financial modelling for deal scenarios

Core Services:

In addition to M&A advisory, Acumon offers a range of services that support businesses through complex transactions. These include:

• Buying A Business
• Selling Your Business
• Commercial Due Diligence
• Financial Due Diligence
• Tax Due Diligence
• Vendor Due Diligence
• Business Valuations
• Financial Modelling
• MBO & MBI Advisory
• Succession Planning
• Company Demerger Advisory

Supporting Growing Organisations:

Acumon works closely with businesses to ensure smooth transitions during acquisitions, sales, and ownership changes. The firm supports organisations with:

• Preparing businesses for sale or investment
• Supporting ownership transitions
• Assisting companies entering acquisition processes
• Helping businesses assess deal risks before negotiations
• Supporting succession planning for founders and management teams
• Advising companies with group or multi-entity structures
• Strengthening financial planning for expansion or restructuring

Contact Information:

• Website: acumon.com 
• Address: 1-2 Craven Road, Ealing, London, W5 2UA, UK
• Phone: 020 8567 3451
• E-mail: mail@acumon.com 

FRP Advisory

FRP Advisory provides corporate finance and transaction advisory support for businesses across Scotland dealing with acquisitions, disposals, restructuring, and wider strategic transactions. Their Edinburgh team works with business owners, lenders, investors, and corporate groups where transactions often involve operational pressure, financial restructuring, or complex stakeholder arrangements.

The firm’s work covers different stages of M&A activity, including valuations, transaction planning, restructuring reviews, and deal support tied to acquisitions or disposals. Their advisory work is closely connected to practical business and financial challenges rather than standalone transaction execution, especially in situations where organisations are balancing growth, refinancing, or operational change at the same time.

Key Highlights:

• Independent business reviews
• Strategic financial guidance
• Cross-functional advisory support
• Corporate finance advisory
• Acquisition and disposal support
• Transaction planning services
• Business valuation support
• Restructuring advisory

Services:

• Business Valuations
• Transaction Planning
• Corporate Restructuring
• M&A Advisory
• Acquisitions Support
• Disposals Advisory
• Financial Reviews
• Strategic Advisory
• Corporate Finance Support

Contact Information:

• Website: www.frpadvisory.com
• Address: Apex 3, 95 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5HD
• Phone: +44 (0)330 055 5455
• E-mail: edinburgh@frpadvisory.com

QMPF

QMPF is an Edinburgh-based corporate finance advisory firm working mainly across infrastructure, energy, education, and real estate transactions. Their work is closely tied to project finance, debt advisory, financial modelling, and M&A support for organisations managing large capital projects, partnerships, and investment structures.

A noticeable part of their advisory work involves complex funding and transaction arrangements where financial structuring and long-term planning matter as much as the transaction itself. They also support joint ventures, refinancing projects, and infrastructure-related acquisitions where multiple stakeholders are involved across public and private sectors.

Key Highlights:

• Joint venture transaction experience
• Public and private sector transaction work
• Funding and structuring advisory
• Long-term capital planning support
• Infrastructure and project finance advisory
• M&A support for energy and real estate sectors
• Financial modelling services
• Debt advisory and refinancing support

Services:

• Transaction Structuring
• Refinancing Advisory
• Joint Venture Advisory
• Public Private Partnership Advisory
• Options Appraisal
• M&A Advisory
• Project Finance Advisory
• Debt Advisory
• Financial Modelling

Contact Information:

• Website: www.qmpf.co.uk
• Address: Exchange Place 3, Semple Street, Edinburgh EH3 8BL
• Phone: +44 (0)131 222 2600
• E-mail: info@qmpf.co.uk
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/qmpf

Noble & Co

Noble & Co is a Scottish corporate finance advisory firm based in Edinburgh working with businesses, investors, and public sector organisations on mergers, acquisitions, fundraising, and strategic transactions. Their work spans several sectors including energy, financial services, infrastructure, sustainability, food and drink, and technology.

The firm’s advisory work appears focused on long-term strategic decision-making as much as transaction execution itself. They support businesses during ownership changes, restructuring discussions, succession planning, and investment activity where deal processes often require financial review, investor coordination, and practical negotiation support across multiple parties.

Key Highlights:

• Corporate finance advisory
• Mergers and acquisitions support
• Fundraising advisory
• Strategic transaction support
• Succession planning services
• Sector-focused transaction experience
• Public and private sector advisory
• Investor and stakeholder coordination

Services:

• M&A Advisory
• Fundraising Support
• Strategic Advisory
• Succession Planning
• Corporate Restructuring
• Financial Transaction Support
• Investment Advisory
• Strategic Reviews

Contact Information:

• Website: nobleandcompany.com
• Phone: 0131 603 7680

Cavendish

Cavendish works with public and private companies on corporate finance transactions involving M&A, debt advisory, equity raising, and growth capital. Their Edinburgh office supports businesses across different industries where acquisitions, disposals, investment activity, and strategic growth planning require structured financial and transaction support.

Their advisory work covers both buy-side and sell-side transactions, alongside debt and capital advisory tied to expansion, restructuring, or market positioning. The firm also works with companies preparing for IPO activity, investment transactions, and strategic corporate finance decisions connected to long-term growth plans.

Key Highlights:

• Debt advisory services
• Equity and growth capital advisory
• IPO and public market advisory
• Corporate finance support
• Strategic growth planning
• Sector-focused transaction teams
• Buy-side and sell-side M&A support
• Public and private company advisory

Services:

• Debt Advisory
• Growth Equity Advisory
• Private Growth Capital
• M&A Buy-Side Advisory
• M&A Sell-Side Advisory
• IPO Advisory
• Strategic Advisory
• Investment Company Advisory

Contact Information:

• Website: www.cavendish.com
• Address: 6th Floor, 125 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AD
• Phone: +44 (0)20 7908 6000
• E-mail: contact@cavendish.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cavendishfinancialplc
• Twitter: x.com/Cavendish_plc
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/cavendishfinancial

Opus Strategic Advisors

Opus Strategic Advisors provides M&A advisory, debt advisory, and fundraising support for businesses dealing with growth, acquisitions, ownership transitions, and strategic financial planning. Their work combines corporate finance advisory with restructuring and business advisory experience, particularly in situations where transactions involve operational or financial complexity.

The firm supports businesses throughout different stages of transaction activity, including company sales, capital raising, acquisition planning, and growth funding discussions. Their advisory work appears designed for businesses looking for direct transaction support alongside broader strategic financial guidance during periods of change or expansion.

Key Highlights:

• Multi-office UK advisory presence
• Corporate finance and restructuring experience
• M&A advisory support
• Debt advisory services
• Growth and fundraising advisory
• Business sale support
• Acquisition planning
• Strategic financial guidance

Services:

• Growth Advisory
• Fundraising Support
• M&A Advisory
• Debt Advisory
• Business Sale Advisory
• Acquisition Advisory
• Strategic Financial Advisory
• Capital Raising Support

Contact Information:

• Website: opusllp.com
• Address: 8 Walker Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7LA, United Kingdom
• Phone: +44 (0)131 322 8416
• E-mail: edinburghenquiry@opusllp.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/opus-business-advisory-group-uk
• Twitter: x.com/opus_llp
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/opusbusinessadvisorygroup

Quest Corporate

Quest Corporate is an Edinburgh-based corporate finance advisory firm supporting businesses involved in acquisitions, disposals, funding, and strategic transactions. Their team works across multiple industries where businesses are preparing for expansion, investment activity, restructuring, or ownership changes.

Their advisory work combines transaction support with broader commercial and financial guidance tied to growth planning and deal structuring. A noticeable part of their work involves helping businesses navigate transactions that require funding coordination, investor discussions, and practical negotiation support rather than purely financial modelling in isolation.

Key Highlights:

• Multi-sector transaction experience
• Deal structuring support
• Investor and lender coordination
• Business growth advisory
• Corporate finance advisory
• Acquisition and disposal support
• Funding and capital advisory
• Strategic transaction guidance

Services:

• Business Sale Advisory
• Funding Advisory
• Deal Structuring
• Strategic Financial Advisory
• M&A Advisory
• Corporate Finance Advisory
• Acquisition Support
• Capital Raising Support

Contact Information:

• Website: www.questcorporate.com
• Address: 8 Walker Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7LA
• Phone: +44 (0)131 225 6488
• E-mail: info@questcorporate.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/quest-corporate-ltd

Grant Thornton

Grant Thornton provides corporate finance advisory services for businesses involved in acquisitions, disposals, fundraising, and strategic growth planning. Their work focuses on helping companies evaluate transaction options, structure deals, and manage different stages of the buying or selling process. The firm also works with private equity groups and businesses looking to align acquisitions with longer-term growth plans.

Their advisory work extends beyond transaction execution itself and includes debt advisory, IPO readiness, fundraising support, and strategic financial planning connected to expansion or ownership change. A noticeable part of their approach is that they position transaction support around the broader direction of the business rather than treating deals as isolated events.

Key Highlights:

• Private equity transaction experience
• Strategic financial planning
• Cross-sector transaction advisory
• Corporate finance advisory
• Buy-side and sell-side transaction support
• Acquisition strategy planning
• Debt and fundraising advisory
• IPO readiness support

Services:

• Buying A Business
• Selling A Business
• M&A Advisory
• Debt Advisory
• Raising Finance
• Equity Capital Markets Advisory
• IPO Readiness
• Private Equity Advisory
• Strategic Advisory

Contact Information:

• Website: www.grantthornton.co.uk
• Address: 7 Castle Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3AH
• Phone: +44 (0)131 229 9181
• E-mail: lauren.e.carlyle@uk.gt.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/grant-thornton-uk
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/gt_trainees

Johnston Carmichael

Johnston Carmichael provides mergers and acquisitions advisory services for businesses pursuing growth through acquisitions, disposals, or management buyouts. Their corporate finance team works across different industries supporting businesses through transaction planning, valuation review, financial due diligence, and negotiations connected to ownership changes and expansion activity.

Their advisory work is closely tied to the Scottish business market, particularly for companies working with banks, investors, and third-party funders during transactions. Alongside acquisitions and disposals, the firm also supports fundraising, financial modelling, and business planning where transactions require broader financial preparation before deals move forward.

Key Highlights:

• Acquisition and disposal advisory
• MBO transaction support
• Financial due diligence services
• Fundraising advisory
• Valuation and dispute support
• Financial modelling services
• Business planning support
• Investor and lender coordination

Services:

• Business Planning
• Project Finance Advisory
• MBO Advisory
• Transaction Support
• Mergers & Acquisitions Advisory
• Financial Due Diligence
• Fundraising Support
• Business Valuations
• Financial Modelling

Contact Information:

• Website: johnstoncarmichael.com
• Address: Stewart Pennington, Business Advisory Partner, 7-11 Melville Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7PE
• Phone: 0131 220 2203
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/johnston-carmichael-chartered-accountants-and-business-advisers
• Twitter: x.com/JC_Accountants
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/JohnstonCarmichael
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/johnston_carmichael

Longspur Capital

Longspur Capital is a corporate finance advisory firm focused on transactions within the clean energy and renewable infrastructure sectors. Their Edinburgh office supports companies and investors involved in acquisitions, debt advisory, capital raising, and strategic transactions connected to energy transition projects and infrastructure development.

The firm’s work is heavily sector-focused, particularly across renewables, clean technology, and energy-related assets where transactions often involve long-term investment structures and complex funding arrangements. Their advisory work combines M&A support with debt and strategic advisory tied to financing, expansion, and infrastructure growth.

Key Highlights:

• Capital raising support
• Strategic transaction planning
• Energy sector expertise
• Infrastructure finance advisory
• Investor and funding coordination
• Clean energy transaction advisory
• Renewable infrastructure M&A support
• Debt advisory services

Services:

• Corporate Finance Advisory
• M&A Advisory
• Debt Advisory
• Strategic Advisory
• Capital Raising
• Infrastructure Transaction Support
• Energy Investment Advisory
• Financial Structuring

Contact Information:

• Website: longspur.com
• Address: 10 Castle Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3AT
• Phone: +44 (0)131 357 6770
• E-mail: info@longspur.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/longspur

Gneiss Energy

Gneiss Energy is an Edinburgh-based corporate finance advisory firm focused on the global energy sector, including oil and gas, renewables, infrastructure, and energy services. Their advisory work supports companies involved in acquisitions, capital raising, asset transactions, and strategic financial planning across different parts of the energy market.

The firm works on transactions tied to operational growth, investment activity, and asset management where businesses often require sector-specific financial and commercial insight before deals progress. Their work also includes strategic advisory and risk management support connected to long-term investment and corporate finance decisions within the energy industry.

Key Highlights:

• Strategic financial guidance
• Infrastructure transaction experience
• Sector-focused corporate finance support
• Risk management advisory
• Energy sector M&A advisory
• Capital raising support
• Asset acquisition and disposal advisory
• International energy transaction work

Services:

• Strategic Advisory
• Risk Management Advisory
• Energy Transaction Support
• Corporate M&A Advisory
• Access To Capital Advisory
• Asset Acquisition & Disposal
• Infrastructure Finance Advisory
• Investment Advisory

Contact Information:

• Website: gneiss.energy
• Address: 5A Rothesay Place, Edinburgh, EH3 7SL
• Phone: +44 (0)131 677 0940
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/gneiss-energy

HNH Partners

HNH Partners is a corporate finance and advisory firm working with businesses involved in mergers, acquisitions, funding, and strategic growth planning across Scotland and Ireland. Their Edinburgh office supports companies dealing with ownership transitions, transaction planning, and financial restructuring where businesses often require a combination of deal advisory and longer-term strategic guidance.

The firm’s work covers acquisitions, debt advisory, valuations, transaction support, and strategic business planning tied to expansion or investment activity. A noticeable part of their approach is that they stay closely involved throughout transactions rather than separating financial advisory from wider business decision-making, especially for companies navigating growth or market change.

Key Highlights:

• Transaction planning support
• Valuation services
• Strategic business advisory
• Financial planning support
• Corporate finance advisory
• Mergers and acquisitions support
• Debt advisory services
• Cross-border transaction experience

Services:

• Deal Advisory
• Debt Advisory
• Transaction Services
• Valuations
• Strategic Planning
• Corporate Finance Advisory
• M&A Advisory
• Financial Planning & Analysis

Contact Information:

• Website: www.hnhpartners.co.uk
• Address: 66 Hanover Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1EL
• Phone: 0131 285 9815
• E-mail: info@hnhpartners.co.uk
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/hnhpartners

Henderson Loggie

Henderson Loggie provides corporate finance advisory services for businesses involved in acquisitions, disposals, fundraising, and management buyouts across Scotland. Their Edinburgh team works with SMEs, investors, and business owners where transactions often require coordination between funding providers, legal advisers, and internal management teams.

Their advisory work includes business valuations, transaction structuring, fundraising support, and acquisition planning connected to growth and succession strategies. The firm also supports management teams exploring buyouts or employee ownership transitions where financial planning and deal structure become closely tied to the future direction of the business.

Key Highlights:

• Buy-side and sell-side advisory
• Fundraising support
• Business valuation services
• MBO advisory
• Employee ownership transition support
• Deal structuring guidance
• Investor and lender coordination
• SME transaction experience

Services:

• Corporate Finance Advisory
• Buying A Business
• Selling A Business
• Fundraising Support
• Business Valuations
• MBO Advisory
• Employee Ownership Advisory
• Transaction Structuring
• Acquisition Support

Contact Information:

• Website: hlca.co.uk
• Address: The Stamp Office, Level 5, 10-14 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG
• Phone: 01382 200055
• E-mail: info@hlca.co.uk
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/hendersonloggie
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/HendersonLoggie
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/hendersonloggie

EY Scotland

EY Scotland provides transaction and advisory services for businesses operating across the Scottish market, including entrepreneurs, family-owned companies, private equity-backed businesses, and larger corporations. Their Edinburgh team supports organisations involved in acquisitions, investment activity, restructuring, and strategic growth planning where transactions often involve multiple stakeholders and complex financial review processes.

The firm’s work combines transaction advisory with broader business and financial consulting tied to expansion, investment readiness, and long-term growth strategy. Their advisory services are typically connected to larger corporate structures, investor-backed businesses, and organisations managing operational or market change alongside transaction activity.

Key Highlights:

• Transaction advisory services
• Corporate finance support
• Private equity transaction experience
• Strategic growth advisory
• Investment and restructuring support
• Large corporate transaction work
• Entrepreneur and family business advisory
• Cross-sector financial advisory

Services:

• Transaction Advisory
• Corporate Finance Advisory
• M&A Support
• Strategic Advisory
• Investment Advisory
• Restructuring Support
• Growth Advisory
• Financial Due Diligence
• Private Equity Advisory

Contact Information:

• Website: www.ey.com
• Address: Atria One, 144 Morrison Street, Edinburgh EH3 8EX
• Phone: +44 113 298 2200
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ernstandyoung
• Twitter: x.com/EYnews
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/EY

Conclusion

M&A activity usually involves much more than simply buying or selling a business. Many companies are also dealing with succession planning, investor expectations, funding decisions, or long-term growth strategy at the same time. That is why businesses often look for advisory firms that can provide practical guidance throughout the process rather than focusing only on the transaction itself.

Edinburgh has built a strong corporate finance and advisory market, particularly for mid-sized businesses, investor-backed companies, and sector-focused transactions across areas like energy, technology, infrastructure, and professional services. Some firms focus mainly on acquisitions and disposals, while others combine M&A support with fundraising, restructuring, debt advisory, or financial modelling.

One thing that stands out across this market is how broad M&A advisory work has become. Due diligence, valuations, deal structuring, investor coordination, and financial planning are now closely connected parts of the same process. For businesses preparing for growth, investment, or ownership transition, having advisers who can keep transactions clear and manageable often makes a noticeable difference.