Building from outside of M&A consultancy

Mergers & Acquisitions

The world of M&A moves fast. Decisions are made at pace, with imperfect information and often under intense pressure. Markets shift, competitive landscapes evolve, and what looks attractive today can change tomorrow. In this environment, the difference between a good deal and a great one lies in the depth of understanding – and the ability to see further than the transaction. That’s where we focus. We cut through the noise. We help clients make confident decisions that deliver value long after the deal.

We help our clients

When information is limited and timelines are tight, we help focus on what matters most. Our sector knowledge and data-driven approach bring clarity and confidence early, to enable faster, better decisions.
We uncover where the real potential lies, what might hold things back, and how to avoid surprises post-deal – so you can shape a stronger, more resilient, investment case.
Value isn’t created at the point of purchase – it is built collaboratively afterwards. We help turn ambition into action, shaping value creation plans that are grounded, prioritized and ready to deliver from day one.
We help identify strategically aligned targets and plan seamless integration, so value shows up sooner.
We work with teams to deliver progress, sharpen the equity story and close critical gaps, getting businesses ready to stand up to scrutiny and attract the right buyer.

Case Studies

Expertise in action

Commercial due diligence

What enabled investors to take a clear decision amid mixed market signals?

Two investors were assessing a safety equipment provider under tight timelines and uncertain macro conditions. They needed a clear, executable view of the market outlook to support an investment decision. CIL delivered focused diligence, drawing on deep sector networks to assess demand resilience, competitive dynamics and the range of outcomes under different tariff scenarios. This provided the clarity required to move decisively, supporting a successful co-investment that valued the business at approximately £1.3 billion.

Building data foundations for exit

How did one business boost its exit value by over $100m?

A property services business approaching exit needed reliable data to evidence its equity story. CIL unified multiple systems and ERPs into a single source of truth, replacing error-prone manual reporting with a consolidated, reporting-ready platform. The work delivered clear visibility of KPIs and growth drivers, giving management and investors confidence in the business’s performance. The result: a stronger equity story and greater investor confidence, with data foundations expected to support a higher valuation at exit.

Acquisition target screening

What does it take to find the standout in a sea of potential acquisitions?

A manufacturer exploring US expansion through acquisition asked CIL to help identify the most strategically aligned targets. Using internal market insight and clearly defined screening criteria, we narrowed a long list of 2,700 companies down to just five. Our analysis helped pinpoint the top opportunities, giving the client the confidence to move forward with a preferred target.

Sales scalability assessment

How did commercial due diligence help validate rapid growth in a technology consultancy?

An investor assessing a fast-growing technology consultancy faced uncertainty over whether its rapid expansion was truly scalable, particularly given significant reliance on one customer. CIL applied its Sales Capability Assessment, benchmarking sales processes, collateral and team capability through workshops and diagnostic analysis. The work strengthened confidence in the business’s ability to scale and highlighted clear improvement actions, supporting continued growth.

Customer segmentation and GTM

How did a merged group clarify customer needs across a diverse customer base?

Following the merger of two leading service providers into the built environment, the combined group faced a fragmented customer landscape with varied requirements by size, sector and service type. CIL mapped the full customer base and identified distinct needs and buying behaviours, creating a clear segmentation framework to inform a coherent go-to-market strategy. This insight shaped the design of the operating model, enabling the group to structure sales, account management and brand positioning around customer needs.

Services

Ready to get started?

Buy & build strategy

Growth through acquisition demands precision. We help businesses identify the right targets, assess fit, and build a strategy that delivers value through well-planned and well-executed deals.

Commercial due diligence

We provide high-quality, independent insight that helps businesses make confident decisions on both sides of the deal. For buyers, we assess commercial performance, competitive strength and growth potential with clarity and speed. For sellers, we build credible equity stories that anticipate buyer questions, surface the right data and demonstrate excellence. Whether evaluating value or preparing to prove it, our work brings the commercial clarity needed for a successful transaction.

Market entry strategy

Moving into new markets or geographies presents both risk and opportunity. We help businesses shape the right proposition, map the landscape, and focus resources where they can win.

100-day planning

The first 100 days after a deal set the tone for future success. We help management teams focus on the right levers from day one, building practical plans that create early momentum and long-term value.

Data, Analytics & Artificial Intelligence

We help set the data foundations early – so businesses are ready for due diligence and what comes after. From building investor-ready data cubes and dashboards to creating structured datasets to manage both commercial and operational performance, our work brings clarity and credibility to the numbers. Whether it’s day one post-deal or 12 months from exit, we help management teams pivot from being data-constrained to data-led, and prove a commercial story that stands up to scrutiny.

Explore more