Head of Mergers and Acquisitions

Our client is a rapidly growing private equity‑backed financial services group pursuing an ambitious buy‑and‑build strategy. Through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions, the business has established a strong market position and is focused on expanding its service offering, geographic footprint, and client base.

Backed by a leading sponsor and experienced executive team, the company is entering an exciting phase of growth and is seeking a commercially minded Head of M&A to drive its acquisition strategy and support the next stage of expansion.

Reporting directly to the CFO and working closely with the CEO, Board, and private equity sponsor, the Head of M&A will lead the identification, evaluation, execution, and integration of acquisitions across the financial services sector.

This is a highly visible role with significant exposure to senior stakeholders and responsibility for delivering transactions that support the company’s long‑term growth objectives and value creation plan.

• Develop and execute the firm’s M&A strategy in line with the broader growth and investment objectives.
• Identify, assess, and engage potential acquisition targets across relevant financial services markets.
• Lead end‑to‑end transaction execution, including origination, valuation, financial analysis, due diligence, negotiation, structuring, and completion.
• Build and maintain relationships with corporate finance advisers, investment banks, private equity firms, founders, and industry participants.
• Prepare investment papers, Board materials, and transaction recommendations for executive leadership and sponsor stakeholders.
• Develop robust financial models, valuation analyses, synergy assessments, and investment cases to support strategic decision‑making.
• Coordinate cross‑functional due diligence processes across finance, legal, compliance, operations, technology, and commercial work streams.
• Partner with business leaders to support post‑acquisition integration and ensure delivery of anticipated synergies and value creation initiatives.
• Monitor market dynamics, competitor activity, and industry trends to identify strategic opportunities and emerging risks.

• 7+ years of experience within M&A, corporate development, investment banking, private equity, transaction services, or a related field.
• Strong financial services sector experience, ideally across wealth management, insurance, specialist lending, asset management, financial advisory, or other regulated financial services sectors.
• Demonstrated track record of leading and executing acquisitions, investments, and strategic transactions.
• Advanced financial modelling, valuation, and analytical capabilities.
• Experience working within a private equity‑backed or highly acquisitive environment is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of transaction structuring, due diligence processes, and integration planning.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior executives, investors, and external advisers.
• Commercially astute, entrepreneurial, and comfortable operating in a fast‑paced growth environment.

• Lead a core component of the company’s value creation strategy within a PE‑backed environment.
• Significant exposure to the CEO, CFO, Board, and private equity sponsor.
• Opportunity to shape and execute a high‑volume acquisition pipeline.
• Play a key role in building a market‑leading financial services platform.
• Competitive compensation package, including performance‑related bonus and potential equity participation.