Finance support for founder-led UK businesses with an exit in view

Get your numbers buyer-ready before anyone starts asking questions.

M&A is at the centre of what I do: preparing owner-managed businesses for sale, running the finance workstream through due diligence and building forecasts that hold up under scrutiny. On the way there, I help founders raise debt or equity, transform their finance function and keep trading well through rapid growth, so the business is in shape when the time comes.

Book an introductory call Take the Exit Readiness Diagnostic

Who I work with

Founders and owner-managers who see a sale in the business's future, whether that is two years away or five. Most clients come to me with one of these situations, and the work we do together builds value for that eventual exit.

Planning a saleYou want to sell in the next few years and get full value for it.
Raising moneyYou need debt or equity to fund the next stage of growth.
Outgrown your finance functionMonth-end is slow, reporting is manual and you don't fully trust the numbers.
Growing fastSales are climbing and cash, margins and controls need to keep up.

How I help

M&A is the core of the practice. The three areas alongside it serve the same end: a business that is worth more, and easier to sell, when the time comes.

Core service

M&A finance support

The accounting and finance side of a deal, on either side of the table.

Sale readiness

Clean up the numbers, normalise earnings and fix the issues a buyer would find, ideally 12 to 24 months before you go to market.

Due diligence

Run the finance workstream on sell-side, or review a target's numbers on buy-side.

Quality of earnings

An evidenced view of sustainable EBITDA that supports the price you are asking for.

Forecasting and models

Integrated three-statement models a buyer or funder can follow and test.

Fundraising, debt or equity

Funding the next stage without giving away more than you need to.

Investor-ready models and data rooms
Bank, asset-based and alternative lending
Reviewing terms and covenants before you sign

Investors and lenders ask the questions a buyer will, so the work carries straight into a future sale.

Finance transformation

A finance function that produces numbers you can run the business on.

Faster, more reliable month-end close
Management reporting and KPIs
Systems selection and implementation

Clean monthly numbers are what make due diligence quicker and less painful.

Supporting rapid growth

Keeping the business trading safely while sales outpace the back office.

Cash flow forecasting and working capital
Pricing, margin and cost control
Board reporting as the team grows

Growth that is controlled and well reported is what buyers want to see.

Alongside your adviser, focused on the numbers

I am not a full-service M&A house. Your corporate finance adviser or investment bank runs the process, finds buyers and negotiates. I make sure the financial information they take to market is accurate, defensible and ready for diligence.

For smaller transactions where a full adviser is not justified, I can take on more of the process directly. We will agree which on the first call.

Track record

Leading finance in owner-managed businesses through growth, funding and exit.

Sofa Club

Seven-site UK retailer

Grew revenue, brought the business to profitability, raised around £2m of debt and supported the owners through their exit.

Alternative provision school group

Three sites, Birmingham

Finance lead on the sale of a multi-site education business, with a fourth site in the pipeline.

Healthcare provider

Around ten sites and growing

Fractional FD for a supported housing and complex-needs home care group, comfortable with PropCo and OpCo structures.

Bloobloom

Multi-site London opticians with an online business

Ran the finance function, managing property, leases, costs and headcount through expansion.

Venture-backed fundraising

Seed to Series B

Led a Series B, Series A raises and multiple seed rounds, backed by a strong network of debt funders.

How an engagement starts

Step 1
Introductory call
A free conversation to understand the business, your timeline and who else is involved.
Step 2
Diagnostic review
A look at your accounts and management information to find what a buyer or funder would question.
Step 3
Fixed-scope proposal
A clear scope, timetable and fee, agreed before any work begins.
Step 4
Delivery
Hands-on work with you and your advisers through to completion.

Free diagnostic

Answer a short set of questions and get a scored report with recommended next steps, emailed to you.

Exit Readiness Diagnostic27 questions on how a buyer would see your business today.Start the diagnostic

Thomas McQuade

Founder, CIMA qualified

Around 15 years in accounting and finance, working as a fractional CFO for owner-managed businesses and on buy-side and sell-side transactions, including cross-border deals. I work directly with founders, so the person you speak to on the first call is the person who does the work.

Book a call with Thomas Read my analysis on LinkedIn

Book an introductory call

A free, no-obligation conversation. Pick a time that suits you and tell me a little about the business.

Confidential from the first conversation
Calendar invite sent automatically
Not ready to talk yet? Start with the diagnostic