At Pearson McKinsey, we specialise in guiding sellers and buyers through M&A transactions for deals under £1.5 million—including small and micro-company acquisitions, roll-ups, and exit strategies. With streamlined accounting and holistic transaction advisory, we empower you to navigate the market confidently, cost-effectively, and with maximum returns.
The UK small business M&A market is continuing to build momentum. In the wake of the pandemic and sustained cost-of-living pressures, a growing number of owner-managed businesses are coming to market, while buyer appetite in the sub-£1.5 million segment remains strong. The majority of completed deals still fall below £1 million — an area where Pearson McKinsey provides focused, hands-on M&A support.
Transaction volumes under £1 million rose by close to 15% in 2024, driven largely by retirement planning, succession challenges and increasing regulatory and compliance burdens. Many long-standing business owners are choosing to sell while valuations remain robust, and with potential changes to Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) anticipated from April 2025, some sellers are accelerating exits to secure the current 10% Capital Gains Tax rate.
For sellers, market conditions remain favourable. Strong demand from buyers combined with a limited supply of quality businesses is supporting solid multiples, particularly for well-run, resilient companies.
For buyers, smaller acquisitions continue to represent one of the most efficient routes to growth. Acquiring an established business offers immediate access to customers, contracts and experienced staff, without the complexity often associated with private equity-backed deals. Roll-up strategies and bank-funded acquisitions are also becoming increasingly prevalent across service-led sectors.
Looking ahead to 2025–26, the outlook for the UK’s micro-M&A market remains positive. With more businesses expected to come to market and an expanding pool of trade and professional buyers seeking high-quality opportunities, small business M&A continues to present attractive prospects — enabling owners to exit on strong terms and buyers to acquire at achievable valuations.
At Pearson McKinsey, every transaction is assessed from two essential perspectives — corporate finance and accountancy. This combined approach allows us to move beyond conventional M&A advisory, uniting technical accuracy with real-world commercial understanding. We don’t simply execute transactions; we analyse what the numbers genuinely represent in terms of value, risk and long-term viability.
For sellers, this means your business is positioned and negotiated on the basis of strong, carefully prepared financial information that stands up to detailed due diligence — enhancing buyer confidence and supporting optimal outcomes throughout the process.
For buyers, our involvement continues well beyond completion. We support post-acquisition integration, implement clear and effective reporting structures, and provide ongoing advice on funding, tax planning and performance improvement.
By taking a full-service approach, we ensure every financial and tax consideration is addressed — safeguarding value, minimising risk and providing complete clarity before, during and after the transaction.
BADR (formerly Entrepreneurs’ Relief) is a tax relief allowing business owners to pay a reduced rate of Capital Gains Tax (currently 10%, rising to 14% in April 2025 and 18% in April 2026) when selling or closing a qualifying business.
Yes. We handle the financial, structural, and tax aspects of your transaction, but you’ll still need a solicitor for the legal documentation and contracts. We work hand-in-hand with your solicitor to make the process smooth.
A roll-up acquisition is when a business or investor buys smaller companies in the same industry to consolidate operations, increase market share, or achieve economies of scale. This strategy is particularly popular in fragmented industries.
For small and micro-businesses, deals can often complete within 8–16 weeks, depending on the complexity, quality of financial records, and speed of negotiations.
Without professional guidance, sellers often leave value on the table and buyers risk overpaying or missing key risks. Our role is to make sure your deal is tax-efficient, properly structured, and financially sound.
No. We operate on a flat-fee structure based on the size of your deal, so you know your costs upfront and keep more of your deal proceeds.
Yes. Because we are accountants as well as deal advisers, we can manage ongoing bookkeeping, payroll, compliance, and tax planning post-completion.
Tax relief timelines are shifting—acting now can make a material difference to your bottom line.
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