Private Equity

Private equity thrives on bold thinking. But in a market where capital is no longer the only differentiator, success relies on sharper thinking, commercial discipline and value creation that stands up to scrutiny. At CIL, we work with private equity across the deal lifecycle. From early-stage diligence to exit strategy, we help investors act with confidence and conviction.

We help our clients

We dig deep into market dynamics, competitive threats, customer behavior, and value levers. Our diligence surfaces what really matters – exposing upside, pressure-testing assumptions, and identifying risks that could hold things back.
Value creation only works when it sticks. We help set priorities, align around the plan, and build the momentum that drives measurable outcomes.
Whether it's pricing, proposition or go-to-market, we don’t settle for generic playbooks. Our advice is grounded, tailored, and tested – ready to work in the real world.
We help businesses move from reactive reporting to data-driven decision-making – building the infrastructure and insight that supports growth and stands up to scrutiny.
When it's time to sell, we help businesses prepare early – evidencing progress, shaping the narrative, and anticipating what buyers will challenge.

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.

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.

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.

What we do

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Commercial due diligence

Our commercial due diligence turns validation into value. We build conviction by assessing what truly drives performance – from market opportunity to customer dynamics, competitive position and risk exposure. We bring early focus to value creation, helping investors understand not just whether to invest, but how to unlock growth from day one.

Vendor commercial due diligence

We help sellers prepare for exit – highlighting strengths, aligning the narrative, and anticipating buyer questions. Our VCDD builds a credible equity story that stands up to challenge and sets businesses apart in a crowded process.

Building of value creation consultancy from outside

Value creation strategy

We help investors focus on what really moves the dial – shaping strategies to drive performance, prioritize growth, and identify new sources of value. Whether it’s refining the proposition, improving commercial execution or exploring new models, our support is designed to deliver outcomes that last.

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Pricing strategy

Pricing is one of the most powerful – and overlooked – levers of value. We help businesses identify pricing headroom, sharpen propositions and align pricing with commercial strategy. Our approach balances rigor with pragmatism, strengthening both margin and positioning to enhance enterprise value over time.

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Go-to-market & sales enablement

We work with businesses to bring offers to market with confidence and clarity. From defining where to play and how to win, to improving sales operations and clarifying roles, we help turn strategy into commercial traction.

Our differentiator

We understand the pressure investors face – from short timelines to high expectations. And we’re built to match it. Our sector expertise runs deep. We know how markets shift, how operators think, and where competitive advantage is built. Combined with sharp commercial thinking, this allows us to zero in on what really drives performance. Every recommendation is grounded in evidence, shaped by context, and designed to deliver lasting value. Just as importantly, it’s how we work with our clients that sets us apart. We ask the right questions, stay close to the work, and keep things moving with purpose and pace.