ABOUT LEITH M&A
WHERE IT STARTED
David Nelson began advising business owners in 2000, with a national agency where he became Corporate Director for London and the South East. For nearly a decade he worked on the valuation, sale and acquisition of hundreds of independently owned businesses.
He founded Leith M&A in 2012 to do it a particular way: a small number of clients, senior people on every mandate, and one person accountable from the first conversation to the last.
HOW WE ARE SET UP
Leith M&A is privately owned. There are no outside investors and no targets handed down from anywhere, so the only thing riding on any mandate is whether we do it well.
Our reputation brings the next client through the door, and it is worth more to us than any single deal.
HOW WE WORK
A deal is only as good as the relationships behind it, so we put the time in with every person around the table.
We listen first, explain every step, and stay beside you until it’s done.
We’re open and straight with buyers from the first approach.
We keep everyone informed, calm and focused on completion.
OUR PEOPLE
Managing Director
I’ve led UK mid-market M&A transactions for over two decades, and founded Leith M&A to deliver exceptional results with meticulous attention to detail and genuine care for every client. My most important role in the process is listening: understanding your concerns, your aspirations and the essence of your business.
Email David
Director
We founded Leith M&A to give a small number of clients a knowledgeable, friendly and truly bespoke service. I produce the sales documents that take your company to market and head up our brilliant research team. We are straight talking, friendly, and nothing but tenacious in our approach.
Email Sophie
Director
I’ve spent over 25 years building, leading and transforming businesses across sectors and geographies, guided by a Sandhurst-trained leadership ethos. Whether a company is new to a sale process or needs to make changes before going to market, my goal is always the same: clear, grounded, actionable guidance.
Email James
Director
I sold my own business through Leith M&A, and joined the firm as a director afterwards. I know the process from the owner’s side of the table, and I bring that understanding to every client I work with, from the first conversation through to completion.
Email John
Senior Researcher
I’ve been with Leith M&A since it was founded. Our research team identifies and approaches the agreed list of potential buyers for every client, then puts the confidentiality agreements in place to protect them. We send regular updates throughout, and become an extension of our clients’ teams.
Email Liz
Researcher
I’ve supported the firm’s transaction and advisory work since 2021, providing market and industry analysis, target company profiling and data support throughout the M&A process. I pride myself on the care and attention to detail that make a tangible difference to our clients’ outcomes.
Email LisaIN THEIR WORDS
Mercury Holdings (London)Hayley Group
“Their involvement in the deal was fundamental to the successful outcome and proved to be a great benefit to myself and my fellow Shareholder, Graham King.”
Mercury Holdings (London) Ltd · sold to Hayley Group
EVERY NEXT CHAPTER STARTS WITH A CONVERSATION
