Business Development & Research Specialist | UK hours

Each analyst is paired with one of the M&A Advisers and sources off-market acquisition targets for that adviser’s buy-side clients. These are mostly UK SME buyers: private equity, family offices, trade buyers and entrepreneurs. The work covers a range of industries, for example FM/HVAC, testing and compliance, accountancy, IT/MSP, healthcare, childcare and manufacturing.

Day to day

• Building target lists from data tools against each client’s criteria. The expectations is at least 350 companies ready for outreach each week.
• Outreach to business owners by phone, email campaigns and LinkedIn, then qualifying their interest and basic financials (turnover, EBITDA, ownership, reasons for selling).
• Setting up introductory calls between owners and the advisers.
• Keeping the CRM accurate: every company, contact, source and outreach channel recorded.
• Attending a weekly mandate meeting with the advisers and reporting on monthly targets.

Targets
The role is measured on output: off-market opportunities per month (currently 22, going up in 2027) and introductory calls (around 10 a month).

Requirements

• 2+ years in outbound sales, research or business development (financial sales, recruitment, insurance and real estate all work well).
• Confident talking with business owners in fluent English. This matters most.
• Comfortable researching on your own initiative: reading a company’s website, filed accounts and LinkedIn and judging quickly whether it fits a client.
• Organised and careful with data. CRM experience is a plus.
• Resilient and self-driven. You will be working remotely, so you have to keep the pipeline moving without someone watching over you.
• Interest in M&A is a bonus. Prior experience isn’t needed.

Hours
Full time, 40 hours a week, on UK business hours (roughly 9:00–17:30 UK).

What sets the best people apart

• They’re strong researchers. They understand each client’s criteria and find businesses that genuinely fit, not just ones that match a sector code. That means going beyond the database to company websites, filed accounts and industry directories, and spotting good businesses that others miss.
• They run outreach campaigns with discipline. Lists are built and campaigns sent on schedule every week, follow-ups are never missed, and they track what’s working and adjust.
• They get owners talking. Most of the businesses we approach aren’t for sale, and the best people can turn “not selling” into “happy to have a conversation”.
• They’re resourceful. When there’s no phone number or decision maker, they find another way in through email, LinkedIn or the company’s website.
• They work closely with their adviser. They ask questions, understand each client’s priorities and share what’s working.
• They manage themselves well. They plan their own day and hit their numbers without anyone checking on them.
• They’re accurate. Their CRM records are clean and complete, so the whole team can rely on them.