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Corporate finance career journeys

Leading figures and up-and-coming professionals who have developed their careers.
Displaying 1-50 of 79 results
Dave Hilton, Forvis Mazars partner
On my CV: Healthy eating
  • Article
  • 10 Nov 2025
When you’re selling a family business with a strong culture, any old buyer won’t do, says Forvis Mazars partner, Dave Hilton.
Headshot of Chanelle Jones
Career paths: High flyer
  • Article
  • 10 Nov 2025
Arriving in the UK from New Zealand with no job, but a strong background in private equity, Chanelle Jones swiftly joined Agathos Management. And now she’s moving up through the ranks.
Mark Snaith
On my CV: Mark Snaith
  • Article
  • 10 Oct 2025
When an exit is delayed, patience is required, says Connection Capital director Mark Snaith, and being well prepared becomes invaluable.
Jonathan Szoke
Career paths: New environment
  • Article
  • 10 Oct 2025
Jonathan Szoke joined BDO at the start of 2025 to set up an ESG due diligence offering. It’s been a long journey for the South African, who started out working on a game reserve as a conservationist.
James Harris, director and head of corporate at Strand Hanson
On my CV: James Harris, Strand Hanson
  • Article
  • 09 Sep 2025
Access to European investors and markets is one of the key benefits for Asian companies listing on AIM, says Strand Hanson’s James Harris.
Yaroslav Magnus-Hamblett, Associate Director, Transaction Services at S&W
Career paths: Will Cave, ICON Corporate Finance
  • Article
  • 09 Sep 2025
Understanding the many services that can add value to clients on transactions is the next step for S&W’s Yaroslav Magnus-Hamblett.
Tom Lethaby, business development director at RVE Corporate Finance
On my CV: Tom Lethaby, RVE Corporate Finance
  • Article
  • 10 Jul 2025
When selling shareholders’ post-deal plans differ, patience is needed to achieve an outcome that suits all, says Tom Lethaby of RVE Corporate Finance.
ICON Corporate Finance associate director Will Cave
Career paths: Will Cave, ICON Corporate Finance
  • Article
  • 10 Jul 2025
The desire to work with entrepreneurs is what spurred ICON Corporate Finance associate director Will Cave to move from business marketing into M&A, specialising in tech deals.
Burges Salmon corporate and M&A partner Julie Book
On my CV: Julie Book, Burges Salmon
  • Article
  • 06 Jun 2025
Ensuring you understand your client and their sector is key to ensuring any issues in a process can be resolved pragmatically, says Burges Salmon corporate and M&A partner Julie Book.
Matt Williams, manager, Corbett Keeling corporate finance
Career paths: Matt Williams, Corbett Keeling
  • Article
  • 06 Jun 2025
Matt Williams started out as a professional rugby player. When that career ended, he was match fit for a move into corporate finance and has now established himself in the squad at Corbett Keeling.
Buzzacott corporate ûnance manager Sriram Ainkaran
Career paths: Sriram Ainkaran, Buzzacott
  • Article
  • 09 May 2025
Buzzacott corporate finance manager Sriram Ainkaran says role models helped shape his career and he wants to pay that forward to those starting out in the industry.
Calvin Bond is a Glasgow-based corporate finance director at Quantuma
On my CV: Calvin Bond, Quantuma
  • Article
  • 09 May 2025
Building trust early can help overcome obstacles later down the line, says Quantuma corporate finance director Calvin Bond.
Andrew Frame, corporate finance partner and head of education sector M&A at Grant Thornton
On my CV: Andrew Frame, Grant Thornton
  • Article
  • 09 Apr 2025
Finding a deal structure that ensures alignment between the acquirer and vendors to best position the company for growth is critical, says Andrew Frame of Grant Thornton.
Lucy McKelvey, associate director in EY's energy and infrastructure corporate finance team
Career paths: Lucy McKelvey, EY
  • Article
  • 09 Apr 2025
A new experience every day and always learning is what drives Lucy McKelvey, associate director in EY’s energy and infrastructure corporate finance team.
Tom Rowe-Jones, M&A director at LAVA Advisory Partners
On my CV: Tom Rowe-Jones, LAVA Advisory Partners
  • Article
  • 10 Mar 2025
Exploring all options for equity partners to ensure alignment for a diverse stakeholder base is key for M&A in the accountancy sector, says Tom Rowe-Jones of LAVA Advisory Partners.
Linda Nguyenova, investor and deal origination lead in Yorkshire and the North East at BGF
Career paths: Linda Nguyenova, BGF
  • Article
  • 10 Mar 2025
Listening to entrepreneurs and their stories to understand what makes a business tick is key to successful learning, says Linda Nguyenova, investor and deal origination lead in Yorkshire and the North East at BGF.
Lana Baker-Cowling, sustainable ûnance and ESG strategy consultant at Anthesis
Career paths: Lana Baker-Cowling, Anthesis
  • Article
  • 10 Feb 2025
Finance drives environmental change and Lana Baker-Cowling, sustainable finance and ESG strategy consultant at Anthesis, is optimistic it will deliver.
Alexandra Richardson is an M&A and venture capital partner at Taylor Wessing
On my CV: Alexandra Richardson, Taylor Wessing
  • Article
  • 10 Feb 2025
Strong relationships, alignment and communication are key to a smooth sale process, says Taylor Wessing’s Alexandra Richardson.
Oliver Stephens, associate director at Headpoint Advisors
Career paths: Oliver Stephens, Headpoint Advisors
  • Article
  • 10 Dec 2024
Oliver Stephens, associate director at Headpoint Advisors, is firmly focused on delivering market-leading international M&A advice to mid-market companies across the UK.
Ben Kolada is director and head of US tech investment banking at ICON Corporate Finance
On my CV: Ben Kolada, ICON Corporate Finance
  • Article
  • 10 Dec 2024
Hunting down opportunities worldwide in a specialised sector is what ICON’s Ben Kolada does – and when it works, it delivers.
Kristine Chong, associate director at Salonica Group
Career paths: Kristine Chong, Salonica Group
  • Article
  • 12 Nov 2024
Kristine Chong, associate director at Salonica Group, loves rising to the challenge of investing in minority-led businesses, from the start of a deal to completion.
Agathos senior investment manager John Butterworth
On my CV: John Butterworth, Agathos
  • Article
  • 12 Nov 2024
John Butterworth, senior investment manager at Agathos, on how the firm developed an innovative approach to buying employee-owned businesses.
Daniel Jonas, transaction services partner at Azets
On my CV: Daniel Jonas, Azets
  • Article
  • 11 Oct 2024
Daniel Jonas, transaction services partner at Azets, says being clear with vendors is key to keeping things moving in a deal.
Gresham House Ventures investment director Maya Ward
Career paths: Maya Ward, Gresham House Ventures
  • Article
  • 11 Oct 2024
Having built her corporate finance foundations, Gresham House Ventures investment director Maya Ward is now putting the focus on healthcare.
James Lewin is a PEM Corporate Finance (PEMCF) manager, based in Peterborough
On my CV: James Lewin, PEM Corporate Finance
  • Article
  • 10 Sep 2024
Detailed research and finding well-funded acquirers proves a successful strategy, says PEM Corporate Finance’s James Lewin.
Gemma Legg, head of M&A for Thames Valley and South Coast at RSM UK
Career paths: Gemma Legg, RSM UK
  • Article
  • 10 Sep 2024
Collaboration is key when it comes to getting complex deals done, says Gemma Legg, head of M&A for Thames Valley and South Coast at RSM UK.
haysmacintyre partner Jon Dawson, standing on a London rooftop with skyscrapers behind and beside greenery shrubs
On my CV: Jon Dawson, haysmacintyre
  • Article
  • 09 Jul 2024
Working as a group of advisers can move deals to the most appropriate and most efficient solutions, says haysmacintyre partner Jon Dawson.
Millie Counsell, M&A executive, LAVA Advisory Partners. Young blonde woman corporate office
Career paths: Millie Counsell, LAVA Advisory Partners
  • Article
  • 09 Jul 2024
A brave career decision after graduating during COVID-19 lockdowns is now paying dividends for Millie Counsell’s progress at LAVA Advisory Partners, she says.
Kathryn Mansell, Corporate Finance Manager at Old Mill, South West of England, Corporate Financier, Career Path
Career paths: Kathryn Mansell, Old Mill
  • Article
  • 06 Jun 2024
Helping to build Old Mill’s corporate finance offering in the South West of England has been a milestone in Kathryn Mansell’s career development.
Michael Pay is a director and coowner of advisory firm EMC Corporate Finance, based in Brighton and Hove. He was voted Insider Media Dealmaker of the Year at the 2024 South East Awards
On my CV: Michael Pay, EMC Corporate Finance
  • Article
  • 06 Jun 2024
Understanding how centuries-old trust status impacts lending in the modern world was key to refinancing Shoreham Port, says Michael Pay of advisory firm EMC Corporate Finance.
Victoria Kisseleva is an M&A partner at FRP Corporate Finance
On my CV: Victoria Kisseleva, FRP Corporate Finance
  • Article
  • 10 May 2024
Finding the balance between too much and too little due diligence is key when advising private equity on a sector that’s new to them, says FRP Corporate Finance M&A partner Victoria Kisseleva.
Ellie Shanahan, corporate associate at independent UK law firm Burges Salmon
Career paths: Ellie Shanahan, Burges Salmon
  • Article
  • 10 May 2024
A career in corporate law fulfils a desire to be constantly learning and growing, says Ellie Shanahan, corporate associate at independent UK law firm Burges Salmon.
Ed Westhead, equity capital markets partner at Fieldfisher, London city skyline in background
On my CV: Ed Westhead, Fieldfisher
  • Article
  • 09 Apr 2024
Effective collaboration with all advisers is critical to the ultimate success of complex deals, says Ed Westhead, equity capital markets partner at Fieldfisher.
Shivani Kotecha, transaction services manager, BDO. Young asian woman head resting in hand city in background
Career paths: Shivani Kotecha, BDO
  • Article
  • 09 Apr 2024
Working on complex transactions is something that Shivani Kotecha relishes at BDO. She tells Jo Russell about her corporate finance journey so far and what might be in store for the future.
Amy Murphy, a corporate finance manager based at FRP Advisory’s Manchester office
Career paths: Amy Murphy, FRP Advisory
  • Article
  • 11 Mar 2024
The ACA has given Amy Murphy a springboard to a career in transactions. Now a corporate finance manager based at FRP Advisory’s Manchester office, she talks to Jo Russell about her role and her plans.
Liam May, director at NorthEdge, man standing in front of wooden panels
On my CV: Liam May, NorthEdge
  • Article
  • 11 Mar 2024
Backing life sciences means being able to translate the scientific opportunity for investors, says Liam May, director at NorthEdge.
Ahnaf Al Hussain, assistant manager, corporate finance team at Azets
Career paths: Ahnaf Al Hussain, Azets
  • Article
  • 12 Feb 2024
Having grown up understanding what motivates owner-managers, Ahnaf Al Hussain is putting that knowledge to good work in the corporate finance team at Azets.
Malcolm Kpedekpo, Panoramic Growth Equity partner on my CV
On my CV: Malcolm Kpedekpo, Panoramic Growth Equity
  • Article
  • 12 Feb 2024
Bringing co-investors into a buy-and-build opportunity has its benefits, says Malcolm Kpedekpo, Panoramic Growth Equity partner.
Kevin Paget Menzies director corporate finance team on my CV
On my CV: Kevin Paget, Menzies
  • Article
  • 06 Dec 2023
When cultural fit is key to a vendor, much due diligence on potential buyers is needed before a shortlist for approach is settled on, says Kevin Paget of Menzies.
Janice Clement-Smith Mazars director fast-track M&A career paths
Career paths: Janice Clement-Smith, Mazars
  • Article
  • 06 Dec 2023
How getting on Mazars’ director fast-track process gave Janice Clement-Smith’s M&A career a welcome boost.
James Wood senior manager Buzzacott transaction services team man suit ICAEW Corporate Financier
On my CV: James Wood, Buzzacott
  • Article
  • 09 Nov 2023
James Wood of Buzzacott says never assume too much deal knowledge – even when advising one accountancy firm on acquiring another.
Flora Foreman supervisor transaction advisory services haysmacintyre young woman
Career paths: Fiona Foreman, haysmacintyre
  • Article
  • 09 Nov 2023
Flora Foreman of haysmacintyre hedged her bets at university, taking a degree in economics and art history. In the end, a career in finance won the day and after she passed her ACA she opted for advising on deals.
Darra McCarthy-Paul ACA Quantuma assistant manager Corporate Financier career paths
Career paths: Darra McCarthy-Paul, Quantuma
  • Article
  • 11 Oct 2023
Qualified as an ACA and moving into transaction services by the age of 23, Darra McCarthy-Paul, an assistant manager at Quantuma, tells Jo Russell about setting off on her career path early.
Fred Dearden Mazars M&A director Corporate Financier on my CV
On my CV: Fred Dearden, Mazars
  • Article
  • 11 Oct 2023
Nothing was ever fully off the table, says Mazars M&A director Fred Dearden of the Forza Doors co-founders’ sale to Novastone Capital Advisors.
Hana Bell Simmons & Simmons corporate law Canadian London ICAEW Corporate Financier career paths
Career paths: Hana Bell, Simmons & Simmons
  • Article
  • 11 Sep 2023
Hana Bell arrived in London from Canada in 2020 amid COVID-19 restrictions and hiring freezes. It took a year before she joined Simmons & Simmons’ corporate law team, but she used her time wisely.
Mark Wilson Headpoint managing partner ICAEW Corporate Financier on my cv
On my CV: Mark Wilson, Headpoint
  • Article
  • 11 Sep 2023
If expectations are not initially met, the advice from Mark Wilson of Headpoint is to be patient and address buyer value issues before re-engaging.
Harry Knight Corbett Keeling corporate finance director ICAEW Corporate Financier On my CV
On my CV: Harry Knight, Corbett Keeling
  • Article
  • 14 Jul 2023
Crafting a deal that meets the needs of all stakeholders is always possible, says Harry Knight of Corbett Keeling.
Kelly Clarke legal director TLT ICAEW Corporate Financier career paths
Career paths: Kelly Clarke, TLT
  • Article
  • 14 Jul 2023
Kelly Clarke, legal director at TLT, describes her tumultuous training period and her long-term goals.
Brian Parker head of M&A ICON Corporate Finance man blue shirt ICAEW
On my CV: Brian Parker, ICON
  • Article
  • 09 Jun 2023
If you want to maximise value, don’t stop negotiating until the deal is signed, says Brian Parker, head of M&A at ICON Corporate Finance.
Charlie Copp corporate finance director Crowe ICAEW Corporate Financier career paths
Career paths: Charlie Copp, Crowe
  • Article
  • 09 Jun 2023
Getting into lead advisory was an early goal for Charlie Copp, corporate finance director at Crowe.
Displaying 1-50 of 79 results

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