Accelerate growth, extend capability or reach

Buy a Business.

Acquisition isn't just for private equity firms and the major networks. Ambitious businesses like yours across the world are using acquisitions to boost growth, plug capability gaps, open in new markets, and to increase market share.

We can run a fully managed acquisition process for you, or provide expert board advisory to support your own origination and dealmaking.

Whether you're buying one agency, doing an acquihire or embarking on a programme, our support helps you build value quickly while avoiding the pitfalls many non-expert acquirers make.

Systematic, always on search

Managed acquisition process

01

Strategy

To create an acquisition strategy (aka a buy box), we define the goal, thesis, criteria and target profile together. Think headcount, geography, services, revenues, profitability, sector etc.

02

Dealhunting

Systematic market mapping, longlisting and prioritisation of targets, discreet outreach, qualification conversations, and early-stage negotiations to test alignment on price, structure, and cultural fit.

03

Transacting

Valuation refinement, heads of terms negotiation, co-ordination of diligence advisers, transaction advisory, deal structuring, and active transaction management through to deal execution.

04

Integrating

Post-acquisition integration planning and execution support, focused on leadership alignment, commercial continuity, synergy capture, and protecting the investment thesis from day one.

The hard work done for you

Finding the right targets.

Buyer's eye

We analysed over 250 businesses before making our own acquisitions. We now track over 1,700. You get that judgement, knowledge and experience working for you.

Beyond the list

Any adviser will surface options for you. We qualify them too, the way a seasoned acquirer would, so you don't waste time meeting maybes.

Fewer, Better

Our job isn't to fill your pipeline, anyone can do that. Our mission is only to put the right businesses in front of you, with a ready made case for why they work.

Looking to acquire?

Tell us about your acquisition criteria and we'll start building your pipeline.

Frequently asked questions

How does integration impact value creation after acquisition?
Post-Merger Integration (PMI) is the systematic process of combining two organisations to realise synergies and maximise value. Value creation post-completion depends on disciplined integration; cost synergy realisation, cross-selling opportunities, leadership alignment and preservation of creative culture. Poor integration can erode the original investment thesis.
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What risks do buyers assess in sub £20m creative businesses?
Buyers assess key-person dependency, volatility of project-based revenue, client churn risk, working capital requirements, and operational scalability. Clear reporting, pipeline visibility, and contract stability materially reduce perceived acquisition risk.
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Are bolt-on acquisitions common in small and mid-sized agencies?

You betcha. There's a whole discipline called programmatic acquisitions emerging in the US, with ambitious businesses acquiring multiple agencies every year to help them with strategic and scale development. Just about any profitable agency can buy another business; it is specifically not the realm of big business to use M&A to help scale. Particularly in volatile and tough markets like the UK is experiencing at the moment, a clear path to growth often include includes buying other businesses.

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How should I define an acquisition strategy for a creative agency?
An effective acquisition strategy begins with a clear investment thesis, defining target revenue range, sector focus, capability gaps, geographic priorities, margin profile, and integration intent. Clear criteria reduce wasted outreach and prevent reactive deal-making driven by opportunity rather than strategy.
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How do I source off-market creative agency acquisition targets?
Target sourcing combines structured market mapping, longlisting of qualified firms, and discreet founder outreach; including cultural fit identification, initial confidential communication, and preliminary synergy assessments; followed by qualification discussions. Off-market engagement increases alignment, reduces auction pressure, and improves control over valuation and deal structure.
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What are the main risks when acquiring a sub £20m creative agency?
Written by Hunter Hawes • Last updated October 2023

Key risks include founder dependency, revenue volatility, client concentration, cultural misalignment, and over-optimistic synergy assumptions. Early diligence and disciplined valuation modelling are critical to protecting return on invested capital. Integration is where acquisitions often fall apart; specifically through earn-out disputes, talent attrition, and cultural friction. Poorly managed Post-Merger Integration (PMI) can erode the very value you're buying. It is critical to proactively manage these transitions to minimise the risk of failure and protect your investment.
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