M&A Advisory Firms in the UK: Companies and Services Guide
AC
Acumon Chartered Accountants·19 min read
Choosing an M&A advisor in the UK is rarely just about getting a deal over the line. The firm you work with often shapes how the transaction is structured, how risks are handled, and, in some cases, whether the deal makes sense at all.
The UK market brings together a wide mix of advisory firms - from large, multi-service consultancies to smaller boutiques that focus on specific sectors or deal types. Some lean heavily into corporate finance and valuations, others are more hands-on during negotiations or post-deal integration.
This guide looks at a selection of M&A advisory services companies operating across the UK. It is not a ranking. Instead, the aim is to give a clearer picture of who these firms are, the kind of organisations they tend to work with, and where their experience is most relevant, so it is easier to narrow down what actually fits your situation.
Acumon
Acumon is a UK firm of chartered accountants, auditors and advisors providing mergers and acquisitions advisory services alongside a broader range of audit, tax and business advisory support.
The firm works with organisations ranging from owner-managed businesses and growing companies through to larger corporate groups and international structures. M&A advisory is typically delivered as part of a wider financial and strategic context, where transactions are linked to broader business planning, reporting requirements and long-term organisational development.
In practice, their M&A work sits closely alongside governance, regulatory oversight and risk advisory. Transactions are not treated in isolation. Instead, the focus is on how a deal fits within existing control frameworks, compliance requirements and financial reporting structures. This often includes assessing transaction risks, reviewing financial and tax positions, and helping organisations understand how a deal may affect governance and oversight going forward.
M&A advisory at Acumon is supported by a wider risk and technology assurance offering. This means transaction work is connected to areas such as internal controls, systems, and operational processes. As a result, organisations are able to approach transactions with a clearer view of both execution risks and post-deal implications, particularly where regulatory or reporting requirements are involved.
Transaction Scope and Capabilities:
Acumon supports organisations across different stages of the transaction lifecycle, from early-stage planning through to post-deal considerations.
This includes:
buy-side and sell-side advisory
financial due diligence
business valuations
transaction structuring and planning
review of financial and tax risks
support during negotiations
Governance and Risk Considerations:
In many transactions, particularly within regulated environments, governance and risk management play a central role.
Acumon works with finance teams and decision-makers to:
assess how transactions align with governance frameworks
identify risks linked to financial reporting and compliance
review internal controls and operational processes
support alignment with UK regulatory expectations
Core Services:
M&A advisory is delivered alongside a wider set of financial and advisory services that support organisations before, during and after transactions.
Address: 1-2 Craven Road, Ealing, London, W5 2UA, UK
Zenith Advisory Solutions LLP
Zenith Advisory Solutions LLP is a UK-based advisory firm providing mergers and acquisitions support to businesses involved in growth, restructuring or exit planning. Their work typically covers transactions such as acquisitions, mergers and divestments, with a focus on helping organisations navigate the practical and financial aspects of each stage.
They tend to be involved across the full transaction lifecycle, from early planning through to completion and post-deal integration. This includes helping clients define their strategy, assess potential targets, and carry out due diligence to understand risks and financial position. Support also extends into deal structuring, negotiations and financing, where the focus is on making sure the transaction is workable from both a commercial and operational perspective.
Key Highlights:
UK advisory firm focused on transaction support and business change
Involvement across both buy-side and sell-side transactions
Covers the full deal lifecycle from planning to integration
Focus on due diligence, risk assessment and deal structuring
Supports businesses with mergers, acquisitions and divestments
Affinia is an accountancy and advisory firm providing corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions support to UK-based businesses, particularly in the lower to mid-market segment. Their work is often centred around owner-managed and family-run businesses, where transactions are closely linked to long-term planning, growth strategies or exit decisions.
Their M&A advisory work typically covers both buy-side and sell-side transactions, with involvement from early-stage planning through to deal completion. This includes developing acquisition strategies, assessing market conditions and valuations, identifying potential buyers or targets, and supporting negotiations. In many cases, they work with clients ahead of a transaction, helping shape strategy, timing and structure before a formal process begins.
Key Highlights:
UK advisory firm working with SMEs and owner-managed businesses
Focus on lower to mid-market transactions
Experience across both acquisitions and business sales
Involvement from early-stage planning through to completion
Works with businesses considering growth, funding or exit options
AAB provides mergers and acquisitions advisory services as part of its broader corporate finance offering, supporting businesses, investors and management teams through different types of transactions. Their work covers a range of scenarios including acquisitions, business sales, buy-outs and fundraising, often where transactions are tied to growth or ownership changes.
Their approach tends to involve hands-on support throughout the process, from initial feasibility and planning through to completion. This includes valuation, financial modelling, due diligence and deal structuring, alongside coordination with legal teams and other stakeholders. They also support funding arrangements, helping businesses explore debt or equity options depending on the structure of the deal.
Key Highlights:
Corporate finance team supporting a range of transaction types
Works with owner-managed businesses, investors and management teams
Covers acquisitions, sales, buy-outs and fundraising
Involvement across planning, execution and completion stages
Combines financial analysis with project management and deal coordination
Insights UK provides mergers and acquisitions advisory services as part of a broader corporate finance and financial advisory offering. Their work typically supports businesses going through acquisitions, mergers or divestments, with involvement across different stages of the transaction rather than at a single point.
They tend to work across the full transaction lifecycle, starting with strategy and target assessment, then moving into due diligence, valuation and deal structuring. Financial analysis plays a central role in their approach, particularly when assessing risks, funding options and long-term impact. Their involvement often continues after completion, where integration planning and operational alignment become part of the overall process.
Key Highlights:
UK-based advisory firm with corporate finance and M&A focus
Involvement across the full transaction lifecycle
Covers strategy, due diligence, valuation and integration
Strong focus on financial analysis and risk assessment
Works across multiple sectors and transaction types
Prydis provides mergers and acquisitions advisory services primarily to owner-managed and family-run businesses, often where transactions are tied to succession planning, growth or ownership changes. Their work sits within a broader advisory structure that also includes tax, wealth and business strategy.
They support both buy-side and sell-side transactions, typically working with clients through preparation, valuation, structuring and due diligence. A noticeable part of their approach is how M&A advice connects with tax planning, group structuring and post-deal financial considerations, particularly for shareholders. In many cases, their involvement continues beyond the transaction itself, reflecting the longer-term impact these decisions tend to have on owners and management teams.
Key Highlights:
Focus on owner-managed and family-run businesses
Covers both acquisitions and business sales
M&A advisory linked to tax, wealth and business strategy
Supports succession planning and ownership transitions
Works alongside legal advisers, lenders and investors
Address: The Parade, Liskeard, Cornwall, UK, PL14 6AF
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/prydis
EY
EY, through its EY-Parthenon team, provides mergers and acquisitions advisory services as part of a wider strategy and transactions offering. Their work typically supports large and complex transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and integrations, often across multiple markets and sectors.
Their approach covers the full deal lifecycle, from strategy and target identification through to due diligence, valuation and post-deal integration. A significant part of their work focuses on how transactions translate into operational outcomes, including integration planning, synergy realisation and risk management. Technology, data analysis and sector-specific insight are often used to support decision-making and execution throughout the process.
Key Highlights:
Part of a global advisory network with dedicated M&A teams
Supports complex and cross-border transactions
Covers strategy, execution and post-deal integration
Focus on operational impact and synergy realisation
Combines financial, commercial and technology perspectives
Services:
M&A strategy and deal sourcing
Financial, commercial and operational due diligence
Business valuation
Deal structuring and execution support
Post-merger integration
Divestment and carve-out advisory
Joint ventures and strategic alliances
Contact information:
Website: www.ey.com
Phone: +44 20 7951 2000
Address: EY 6 More London Place London SE1 2DA
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EY
Twitter: x.com/EYnews
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ernstandyoung
Grant Thornton
Grant Thornton provides mergers and acquisitions advisory services to mid-market businesses, particularly where transactions are tied to growth plans, restructuring or changes in ownership. Their work is positioned around strategic decision-making, with support that helps businesses assess whether an acquisition, sale or investment fits their longer-term direction.
They work across a range of transaction scenarios, including buying a business, selling a business, raising finance and planning an exit from non-core operations. Their M&A support is also connected to related areas such as valuation, tax structuring, financial reporting and performance improvement. In practice, this gives clients a wider view of how a deal may affect both the transaction itself and the business after completion.
Key Highlights:
Focus on mid-market and entrepreneurial businesses
Supports both acquisitions and disposals
M&A advice linked to strategic growth decisions
Covers financing, valuation and tax structuring
Involvement in both domestic and international transactions
Broader transactional advisory support alongside M&A work
KPMG provides mergers and acquisitions support through its accounting advisory practice, with a particular focus on the accounting and financial reporting side of transactions. Their work is aimed at businesses that need clarity on how a deal should be reflected in reporting, especially where structure, classification and post-deal accounting treatment are important.
They support organisations during both acquisitions and disposals, often by reviewing draft agreements and advising on matters such as entity classification, deal finance and purchase price allocation. Their role also extends into post-completion work, including acquisition accounting, alignment of accounting policies and preparation of carve-out financial statements where a business is being sold. This makes their M&A support especially relevant in deals where reporting requirements are a central part of the process.
Key Highlights:
Focus on accounting and reporting aspects of M&A
Supports both acquisitions and disposals
Advises on transaction structure and accounting treatment
Involvement before and after deal completion
Relevant for deals with complex reporting requirements
Connected to wider deal advisory capabilities
Services:
Accounting advisory for acquisitions
Review of draft transaction agreements
Advice on entity and consideration classification
Deal finance accounting support
Carve-out financial statements
Purchase price allocation support
Acquisition accounting
GAAP alignment and opening balance sheet adjustments
Contact information:
Website: kpmg.com
Phone: +44 (0)161 246 4000
Address: 1, St Peter's Square, Manchester M2 3AE, United Kingdom
Twitter: x.com/kpmguk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KPMG
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/kpmg-uk
BDO
BDO provides mergers and acquisitions advisory services through its deal advisory practice, supporting businesses that are buying, selling or reviewing more complex transaction situations. Their work is built around commercial insight and sector experience, with support that spans both execution and the wider context around a deal.
They advise on both buy-side and sell-side transactions and also cover special situations where the structure or timing of a deal may require a different approach. Their M&A work connects with other transaction-related services such as due diligence, fundraising, financial modelling and value creation. This gives clients access to support not only on the deal itself, but also on planning, analysis and decision-making around it.
Key Highlights:
M&A advisory within a broader deal advisory practice
Supports both buyers and sellers
Sector-led approach to transaction work
Covers standard transactions and special situations
M&A support linked to modelling, due diligence and fundraising
Combines commercial analysis with transaction execution support
Services:
Buy-side M&A advisory
Sell-side M&A advisory
Special situations M&A
Transaction services and due diligence
Fundraising and debt advisory
Financial modelling and data analytics
Strategy and value creation support
PLC advisory
Contact information:
Website: www.bdo.co.uk
Phone: 0161 817 7500
Address: Eden Building, Irwell Street, Salford, Manchester, M3 5EN, United Kingdom
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/bdo-llp
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bdo_uk
RSM
RSM provides mergers and acquisitions advisory services through its corporate finance teams, supporting businesses involved in acquisitions, disposals and capital restructuring. Their work typically follows the full transaction process, from identifying opportunities through to execution and completion.
They are involved in areas such as valuation, deal structuring and sourcing potential investors or partners. This includes identifying suitable acquisition targets, assessing return on investment and supporting negotiations. Their role also extends into financing, where they help businesses explore funding options and connect with financial or strategic partners as part of the transaction process.
Key Highlights:
Corporate finance team supporting full M&A lifecycle
Involvement from origination through to deal execution
Covers acquisitions, disposals and capital restructuring
PCB Partners is a UK-based M&A advisory firm focused on buy-side and sell-side transactions, particularly within the technology and business services sectors. Their work is centred around supporting clients through acquisitions and disposals, often in situations where sector knowledge and access to buyers or targets are key.
They tend to operate as a boutique advisory firm, working closely with clients during the transaction process. This includes identifying opportunities, supporting negotiations and helping manage the overall deal process. Their focus on specific sectors means their work is often tied to transactions within digital and service-led businesses, where market positioning and buyer alignment can play a significant role.
Key Highlights:
UK boutique M&A advisory firm
Focus on technology and business services sectors
Provides both buy-side and sell-side advisory
Works closely with clients through the deal process
Logros Advisory Partners provides mergers and acquisitions advisory services to businesses involved in growth, restructuring or ownership changes. Their work covers both buy-side and sell-side transactions, with support that typically runs from early-stage planning through to completion and integration.
They tend to take a process-driven approach, starting with defining objectives and identifying suitable targets or buyers, then moving into due diligence, negotiations and deal execution. Their involvement often continues after completion, where integration and performance alignment become part of the overall transaction outcome. A consistent theme in their work is managing risk while keeping the process structured and controlled.
Key Highlights:
UK advisory firm focused on M&A transactions
Supports both acquisitions and disposals
Covers the full transaction lifecycle from planning to integration
Structured approach to due diligence and negotiations
Involvement in post-deal integration and performance tracking
Address: Suite 4, Wilmslow House, Grove Way, Wilmslow, SK9 5AG
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/logros-ltd
Leonard Curtis
Leonard Curtis provides mergers and acquisitions advisory services as part of its wider business advisory offering, working with private and public companies, investors and management teams. Their M&A work is often linked to strategic decisions such as growth through acquisition, business disposals or ownership changes.
They support clients across different stages of the transaction process, including identifying opportunities, advising on strategy and managing deal execution. Their work also includes more specific scenarios such as bolt-on acquisitions, bid situations and exit planning. In many cases, they work alongside funding and performance advisory teams, which means transactions are considered in the context of financing and business performance rather than in isolation.
Key Highlights:
Works with private companies, investors and management teams
Supports acquisitions, disposals and strategic transactions
Experience with bolt-on acquisitions and bid processes
Sigma Chartered Accountants provides mergers and acquisitions advisory services with a strong focus on financial, tax and compliance aspects of transactions. Their work is often centred around identifying risks that may not be immediately visible, particularly in areas such as tax exposure, valuation assumptions and deal structure.
They support both acquisitions and disposals, typically working through strategy, due diligence, valuation and negotiation. A key part of their approach is linking transaction advice with tax planning and regulatory considerations, ensuring that deal structures are aligned with longer-term financial outcomes. Their involvement also extends into post-deal integration, where financial processes and reporting structures are aligned after completion.
Key Highlights:
Focus on financial, tax and compliance aspects of M&A
Supports both buyers and sellers
Emphasis on due diligence and risk identification
M&A advisory linked to tax structuring
Involvement from planning through to post-deal integration
MarshBerry provides mergers and acquisitions advisory services to businesses, investors and owners involved in transactions across different markets. Their work typically focuses on helping clients assess strategic options, identify suitable opportunities and manage the transaction process from initial evaluation through to completion.
They support both buy-side and sell-side transactions, with involvement in areas such as valuation, due diligence, negotiation and coordination with capital providers. A noticeable part of their approach is linking transactions to longer-term objectives, including ownership changes and growth plans, while keeping attention on how well a deal fits operationally and financially.
Key Highlights:
Supports both acquisitions and business sales
Works with business owners, investors and strategic buyers
Covers full transaction process from evaluation to execution
Focus on alignment between strategy and transaction decisions
Involvement in valuation, due diligence and negotiations
Address: 10 Philpot Lane London, EC3M 8AA, United Kingdom
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/marshberry
Instagram: www.instagram.com/marshberry_inc
Price Bailey
Price Bailey provides mergers and acquisitions advisory services as part of its corporate finance offering, supporting businesses looking to grow, restructure or exit. Their work is typically connected to broader strategic planning, where transactions are considered alongside long-term business goals.
They support clients throughout the transaction process, from early planning and option analysis through to execution and integration. This includes due diligence, valuation, financing and deal structuring. Their involvement often continues after completion, where integration and implementation become part of the process, particularly in cases where businesses are combining operations or entering new markets.
Key Highlights:
Corporate finance team supporting M&A transactions
Works with businesses at different stages of growth and development
Covers both acquisitions and disposals
M&A linked to strategic planning and financing
Involvement from planning through to post-deal integration
Address: Tennyson House, Cambridge Business Park, Cambridge Cambridgeshire, CB4 0WZ
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PriceBaileyLLP
Twitter: x.com/price_bailey
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/price-bailey
Instagram: www.instagram.com/pbpeople
Champions (UK) plc
Champions (UK) plc provides mergers and acquisitions advisory services focused on supporting businesses through the full transaction lifecycle. Their work typically includes early-stage evaluation, target identification and planning, followed by execution and post-deal integration.
They place particular emphasis on the integration phase, where operational alignment, communication and continuity planning are considered alongside the transaction itself. This includes working on areas such as stakeholder communication, system integration and maintaining business operations during the transition. Their involvement often continues after completion, reflecting the importance of how the combined business performs in practice.
Key Highlights:
Supports full M&A lifecycle from evaluation to integration
Focus on post-deal integration and operational alignment
Covers both acquisitions and mergers
Emphasis on communication and stakeholder management
Involvement in planning, execution and transition stages
Choosing an M&A advisory firm in the UK is rarely a one-size decision. Organisations tend to approach it from where they are at the moment - some are preparing for a sale after years of building the business, others are looking to grow through acquisition, and some are simply trying to understand whether a deal even makes sense in the first place. The “right” advisor usually depends on that starting point just as much as on the deal itself.
What becomes clear quite quickly is how different these firms are in practice. Some are deeply involved in financial structuring and due diligence, others lean more into strategy, negotiations or post-deal integration. There are also differences in who they typically work with - from owner-managed businesses to private equity-backed groups or larger corporates. That variation is exactly why comparing them side by side is useful, even before any formal conversations begin.
This guide is meant to help make that early stage a bit clearer. Not by ranking firms or pushing a particular option, but by showing how they operate, where their focus sits, and how their services connect to real transaction scenarios. When you can see that context, it becomes easier to narrow down which firms are actually relevant to your situation, rather than just well-known or widely advertised.
In the end, most organisations are not just choosing someone to “run a deal”. They are choosing a team that will shape how the transaction is approached, how risks are handled, and how the business looks after everything is signed. Having a clearer picture of the options at the start usually leads to better decisions later on, and fewer surprises along the way.
AC
Written by the Acumon team
Acumon is an ICAEW-registered firm of chartered accountants and registered auditors
based in London, with offices in Pitstone, Aylesbury and Bournemouth. Need advice on
anything covered here? Talk to us.
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