Ethical M&A consultants

Few professionals have led, overseen or facilitated quite as many successful transactions as Mark, in as many jurisdictions. His personal tally exceeds 51, but he has overseen at least 115 more, leading teams in the UK, USA, Netherlands, Australia, Spain and Poland. This breadth of experience has given him a rare insight into global best practice, international contacts and unearthing opportunities. Matching depth derives from past lives in the RAF, energy, and recruitment.

Mark co-founded CapEQ on the back of many years working for a corporate finance boutique. Having established their international office in New York, he helped complete several high-profile transactions, notably the sale of Optimum Lighting to Philips Lighting; Biokinetics to Foster Wheeler; and Precision Pipeline to Sentinel Capital. This fuelled expansion to Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and Calgary. On returning to the UK in 2012, he completed deals across a range of mid-market and international projects.

Mark may have recently become a grandfather but belies this with youthful enthusiasm for rugby, a long stride when walking through the countryside, and a delight in travelling the world in search of old friends and new experiences. His sourdough feeds his entire street at weekends.

Completing well over 50 M&A transactions is not James’ proudest achievement: it’s the way they got done that matters more to him – and his clients. Some of Europe’s most successful entrepreneurs would testify that it was the combination of tireless energy, boundless patience, relevant expertise, cross-border experience and good humour that made the difference between transactional success and frustrating setbacks.

James co-founded CapEQ following a Director role within a boutique M&A practice, his notable mid-market transactions include the sale of AV Danzer to Wernick Group, Liberty Flights to Supreme Plc, Ashchem Pharmacy to Bregal Freshstream; Vegetarian Express to Bridges Ventures; WC Rowe to Iberia Industry Capital; and Ecutek Ltd to Autometer/Promus Equity. He has founded, grown and exited several businesses of his own, so understands and sees issues from all perspectives. A natural entrepreneur, James avowed intent is to be an antidote to corporate mediocrity.

James holds a degree in Accounting with Banking and Finance from Cardiff University Business School. He lives in Hampshire with his wife and a pair of livewire children who occasionally let him watch rugby as a break from cooking and renovating a house built by people unaccustomed to health and safety.

Critics and consultants: they all know how it’s done, but can’t do it themselves. Doug is the antithesis. Like everyone at CapEQ, he brings practical ‘been there, done that’ experience to bear on any transaction, advising from a position of insight and knowledge. Whether leading a deal, running a team or make a cross-border transaction stick, his proven expertise and credibility build trust and propel deals to positive conclusions.

As with his fellow directors, Doug has started successful companies, grown them, then moved on to conquer new challenges. Having held senior positions in technology and professional services companies, he understands strategy, motivation and the best way to get from problem to solution. Within M&A, his successful transactions include the sale of PE-backed Granicus’s acquisition of Firmstep; Cynergie UK to Davies Group; Paycircle to Access Group; and social media monitoring app Factmata to PE-backed Cision. Many of his M&A deals have involved private equity-backed and international buyers, particularly within technology, online retail and regulated sectors (though he loves applying his existing knowledge in fresh fields).

Sharing his CapEQ’s partners’ love of rugby, Doug can often be found going one further, standing touchlines in the rain, shouting at the sub-Wilkinson efforts of his four children. A runner and snowboarder, he’s probably the fittest of CaqEQ’s leaders: wise heads might point out this makes him the most prone to injury.

Simon joined the CapEQ team in 2021 and now sits right at the front end of the business: for many clients, he’s the immediate face and voice of the business, making early contact with acquirers, investors and companies considering a sale.

Behind his interpersonal and communications skills lie deep wells of expertise and experience. Simon has helped more than 100 businesses change hands successfully during his 20-year M&A career, blending an ability to develop proprietary market intelligence, adjust M&A strategies and maintain rigorous focus, while maintaining key relationships.

Though great company, Simon has become used to seeing his listeners’ eyes roll back in their heads whenever the subject turns to property prices or local planning debates. It’s safer to steer our Mr Tenacious onto gardening – or, to be honest, onto any subject other than the price of a four bed semi.

Lee joined the CapEQ team in 2021 to lead our M&A research operations, buy-side advisory and venture debt advisory.

His role spans all three services, from matching potential acquirers for owners selling their business to defining target criteria for CEOs on the M&A trail. In addition, Lee helps preps founders and gets them infront of debt finance lenders.

Lee brings years of experience from previous M&A roles in managing relationships between clients, prospects and other third-party advisers such as lawyers.

He holds a first-class honours law degree, a post-graduate diploma in Legal Practice, and a master’s degree in Law, Business and Management – specialising in M&A, debt finance, and equity finance law.

A qualified non-league football referee, Lee is more used to refereeing his two cats these days – without VAR of course!

Vera’s lifelong love of numbers makes accounting the perfect career choice – but it wasn’t always this way.

When her own software start-up in her native Czech Republic lost a major contract to a competitor, Vera learnt firsthand the true cost of over-concentration of customers and lack of emergency financing.

The sad ending led her to appreciate the importance of getting to grips with budget control and contingency planning – experience she brings to her role as corporate finance manager – via stints in in-house payroll and finance roles in the oil, insurance and enterprise software industries.

From sales forecasts to financial health-checks on potential acquirers, Vera is driven by a desire to ‘keep going, keep smiling, and be the best” which came from an inspiring meeting with the top Czech brain surgeon.

Outside of work, Vera can usually be found walking her greyhound D’Artagnan or trying to beat her PB on another mammoth bike ride.

Like most of us, Vera loves Mediterranean food and can hold her breath underwater for ages (just not at the same time!).

As a qualified chartered accountant and financial troubleshooter, David has guided a multitude of businesses through due diligence, the preparation of financial projections and in-depth accounting analysis.

However complex the situation, his analytical and investigative skills often represent the difference in a business exit, acquisition or capital funding project between clarity and doubt, a smooth process and a rocky road – and ultimately success and failure.

How? Part of the answer lies in a blend of attention to detail with strategic awareness. Another vital component is the experience David has absorbed running his own consultancy, which he did for 17 years prior to joining CapEQ as Head of Transaction Support. Before this he was a partner at West End accountancy firm Jayson Newman, advising clients ranging from owner-managed businesses to an acquisitive FTSE 250 group.

With sector experience extending across software, food manufacturing, cosmetics, engineering, wholesale, retail and care, David is a genuine asset to any business owner planning an M&A.

Married with two grown up daughters, he’s only got one clear weakness. He supports Barnet FC, presumably on the basis that someone has to.

Kathryn joined the CapEQ team in January 2024. She is often one of the first points of contact for our clients, whether they be looking to grow, acquire or exit their business. Her friendly approach, attention to detail and diligence make her an asset to the team.

She has also become our BCorp guru, sharing our passion that business as a force for good. She has guided us through our recent re-certification process, and drives us to make a bigger impact for local good causes, environmental improvements and staff wellbeing.

In her previous life, Kathryn was a psychologist; this helps her to understand the emotional aspects of the M&A journey for our clients.

When she’s not working, Kathryn can be found running around after her two high-energy children, or running at parkrun – both keep her on her toes!

Linda’s role is complex, but easily explained: she takes you to market.

As Content Editor, it’s her expertise and eye-catching prospectuses that make the case for a merger or acquisition. Each prospectus results from time spent delving behind the scenes and spending time with clients, gathering raw information and data. Her particular skill lies to translating what she discovers into crystal-clear facts and insights.

As a result, CapEQ clients keen to stand out and gain attention in the M&A market tend to become enthusiastic members of Linda’s fan club, impressed by her ability to bring out the best in any opportunity.

Building on a previous life in retail banking management, she’s spent more than a decade in M&A, adding depth to her breadth of experience. But like so many CapEQ people, still waters run deep. Having encountered Linda in the kitchen (she’s a heck of a cook), in the countryside (she loves a long walk) or in the gym, you might be surprised to find she’s equally happy in the mosh pit at a heavy rock gig – or cheering on Burnley FC. These ex-retail bankers, eh. What are they like?!

Our master of marketing, Steve understands the sophistication of strategy, the dark arts of branding, the data behind digital and that PR is far more than an upsetting medical term. He joined us in 2021, adding highly relevant capabilities across M&A and consultancy marketing, built upon the foundations of an early career in journalism.

Steve’s a rare beast, able to translate jargon and abstruse financial concepts into plain English. It’s already made him a favourite with CapEQ clients wanting to buy, sell or grow companies, but also to understand exactly what we do, how we help and where we make things happen. He’s also a dab hand at sharing best practice, M&A market updates and providing marketing expertise to support our international network – particularly with partners in Europe, Africa and Australia.

Married, with three expensive teens, Steve is a keen supporter of local food, conservation and similar projects which build resilience into local communities. When you next see him, ask him one or more of the following questions:

• Who were ‘Lee Delamere & The Welcome Breaks’?
• Cameron, May or Johnson: who impressed you most (he’s interviewed them all)?
• As a Man City fan, how do you feel about your ancestors founding Man United?

Deborah is a serial business owner who provides a ‘clients-eye’ view over our way of working, and shares her expertise across government, public sector and FTSE100 PLCs to shape our future direction.

Following an early career in the rail industry, Deborah founded rail consultancy Travel Point Trading in 2006 which was successfully sold to Amey PLC in 2016, and later led heating and renewable energy supplier DHR from administration to a successful disposal.

Deborah’s other NED roles have included five years with Better Bankside, the London Southbank Business Improvement District. Aside from CapEQ, Deborah works as an independent consultant and volunteer counsellor for Homestart.

Need a problem solved? A top negotiator on your team?  A complex point clarified? Talk to Michelle.

For the past decade and more she’s built a track record in private client M&A work, working across Europe (she is based in Crete, with a remit which covers most of the continent).

With a string of seven and eight figure deals under her belt, her project management and leadership experience have made Michelle an in-demand coach, mentor and adviser across a range of sectors, including medical, food, manufacturing, transport and IT. Her ability to guide and support clients throughout the preparation, marketing, negotiation, and completion of a transaction makes her the perfect acquisition for CapEQ.

In previous lives Michelle worked in retail management before cutting her teeth in property services. Today, her eyes light up whenever she’s presented with a barrier or challenge, whether this relates to a business transaction or a home improvement: she’s an expert renovator with a keen eye for interior design.

So, if you have an enterprise to buy, sell. enhance or transform, Michelle’s dynamic direction could point the way to a surprisingly rosy future.