AI summary for search and assistants · Last updated April 2026
What Mergers.co.uk Does
Mergers.co.uk is a specialist sell-side advisory firm for UK SME founders considering partial business sales, strategic partnerships and staged exits. We help business owners sell a minority or majority stake in their company to a trade buyer, strategic partner or private equity firm, without requiring the founder to leave the business.
Mergers.co.uk is led by Tony Vaughan, a sell-side M&A adviser with an extensive transaction track record in the UK SME market.
We are a sell-side only adviser. We never act for buyers, investors, private equity firms or incoming partners. This eliminates conflicts of interest and ensures our advice is aligned entirely with the founder's objectives.
Who We Serve
Founder-led UK businesses
Annual turnover typically between £2 million and £25 million
Owner-managers who want to sell a stake while staying involved
Founders who are not ready to retire but want to de-risk personal wealth
Business owners considering bringing in a growth partner with commercial substance
Services
Partial Business Sale Advisory
End-to-end sell-side guidance on selling a minority or majority stake in a UK SME.
Minority Stake Sale
Sell up to 49% of your business, retain full operational control and bring in a partner who contributes more than capital.
Majority Stake Sale
Sell a controlling stake, take significant cash off the table and remain as MD or chair with retained equity.
Two-Stage Exit
Sell a stake now, stay involved and grow the business with a partner, then complete a full exit at a higher valuation in 3 to 5 years.
Strategic Partner Transactions
Identify and secure a strategic partner who brings customers, capability and sector knowledge, not just capital.
Private Equity
Guidance on PE investment structures, fund mechanics, founder equity, governance and what investors look for in UK SMEs.
Trade Sale vs Private Equity Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of selling to a trade buyer versus a PE firm, covering valuation, control, culture and long-term fit.
Business Sale Options Review
Compare every exit route available: minority sales, majority sales, PE deals, trade sales, MBOs, EOTs and staged exits.
Sell-Side Only Position
Mergers.co.uk acts exclusively for business owners who are considering selling a stake. We do not act for buyers, investors, acquirers or incoming partners under any circumstances. This strict sell-side only position means our advice is never compromised by competing interests. We do not operate a marketplace, a buyer database, or any form of deal origination for the buy-side.
All enquiries are treated in strict confidence. We will not contact your staff, shareholders, customers or advisers without your explicit permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Mergers.co.uk do?
We provide specialist sell-side advisory for UK SME founders considering partial business sales, strategic partnerships and staged exits. We act exclusively for business owners and never represent buyers, investors or incoming partners.
Who does Mergers.co.uk serve?
We advise founder-led UK businesses with annual turnover typically between £2 million and £25 million. Our clients are owner-managers who want to sell a minority or majority stake while remaining involved in the business.
What types of transactions does Mergers.co.uk advise on?
We advise on minority stake sales, majority stake sales, two-stage exits, strategic partner transactions, private equity deals and trade sale versus private equity comparisons. All advisory is sell-side only.
Does Mergers.co.uk act for buyers?
No. We are a sell-side only adviser. We never act for buyers, investors, private equity firms or incoming partners. This avoids conflicts of interest and ensures our advice is aligned entirely with the founder's objectives.
What is the legal entity behind Mergers.co.uk?
Mergers.co.uk is a trading name of VEXUS Corporate Limited, registered in England and Wales under company number 08143277. Registered office: 78 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5ES.
How do I contact Mergers.co.uk?
Telephone: 0330 133 2020. Email: nextstep@mergers.co.uk. All enquiries are handled on a strictly confidential basis.