About the Company

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.

The Role

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.

Key Responsibilities

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 workstreams.
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.

Qualifications

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.

Why Consider This Opportunity

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.