Insights: M&A for Founder-Led Businesses

Latest

UK Search Funds Explained: The 2026 Guide for Owners Being Approached

A definitive guide for UK owners: what search funds are, who is active in the UK market today, how the economics work, and what to ask a searcher who has approached you.

Leo Meggitt 18 August 2026 14 min read

Read the piece

More writing

Buyer Landscape

Search Fund vs Private Equity vs Strategic Buyer: A Decision Framework for UK Owners

The three buyer types most likely to acquire a UK lower mid-market business behave differently across price, timeline, structure, involvement and cultural fit. A side-by-side framework to help owners pick the right route.

Leo Meggitt 11 min read

Deal Structure

Rollover Equity Explained: What UK Founders Actually Get, and What to Watch For

Rollover equity is a common feature of UK lower mid-market deals and one of the most misunderstood. What it is, why buyers offer it, how it is structured, current UK tax treatment, and where the traps sit.

Leo Meggitt 10 min read

Exit Planning

12 Months Before You Sell: The Preparation That Actually Moves the Number

The pre-sale readiness work that most consistently changes the outcome for UK lower mid-market owners. Financial hygiene, customer concentration, key-person risk, IP, working capital, management depth, contract review. In practical order.

Leo Meggitt 11 min read

Valuation

Your Accountant's Valuation Is Almost Certainly Wrong (And Why It Matters)

Accountancy valuations and market valuations answer different questions and produce different numbers. Why this matters for UK owners considering a sale, and how buyers actually think about what your business is worth.

Leo Meggitt 10 min read

ESG & Strategy

Human Employment: The Next Frontier of Responsible Investing in the AI Era

As AI transforms industries, responsible investing must evolve to include a commitment to sustaining human employment, not as nostalgia, but as a strategic imperative for long-term value creation.

Leo Meggitt 15 min read

Strategy

Comprehensive Guide to Business Exits

A detailed exploration of business exit strategies, timing considerations, and key steps to maximise value during the exit process.

Leo Meggitt 12 min read

Technology

The Role of AI in Modern M&A Transactions

An in-depth analysis of how artificial intelligence is transforming the M&A landscape, from due diligence to post-merger integration.

Leo Meggitt 7 min read

Technology

The Future of M&A in the Technology Sector

An analysis of emerging trends and opportunities in technology sector M&A, including AI integration, cloud services, and cybersecurity considerations.

Leo Meggitt 8 min read

Valuation

Key Considerations for SME Valuations

Understanding the nuances of valuing small to medium enterprises in today's market, including both traditional methods and modern approaches.

Leo Meggitt 6 min read

Integration

Post-Merger Integration Success Strategies

Essential strategies for successful post-merger integration, focusing on culture, systems, and operational efficiency.

Leo Meggitt 10 min read