Dedicated, straight-talking, tailored advice for lower-mid market transactions

Dedicated, straight-talking, tailored advice for lower-mid market transactions

About Us

  • Independent corporate finance advisory boutique focused on the lower-mid market
  • ABG Corporate Finance is partner-led and owned: founded by Eleanor Wilkinson in 2013, with Kristian Gavan joining in 2014
  • Experienced advisers to owner-managers and entrepreneurs, larger corporates and private equity clients
  • Sector agnostic – the team has transacted across a broad range of sectors

What makes us unique

Hands-on

  • Partner-led, pro-active advice
  • We provide impartial, thoughtful, plain speaking advice throughout the deal
  • Our extensive deal experience means we help our clients navigate through the inevitable complexities of M&A

Diligent and committed

  • As an owner-managed, growing business ourselves, we are dedicated to delivering outstanding results for our clients – our reputation is key and we are not driven by volume of deals
  • From start to finish, with patience and resolve, we will steer even the most complex transactions to completion

Tailored, pragmatic approach

  • Every business and transaction is unique: we take the time to understand the intricacies of our clients’ businesses and their objectives
  • We deliver flexible, creative solutions 
  • We tailor the scope and fees on a case by case basis

Hands-on

  • Partner-led, pro-active advice
  • We provide impartial, thoughtful, plain speaking advice throughout the deal
  • Our extensive deal experience means we help our clients navigate through the inevitable complexities of M&A

Diligent and committed

  • As an owner-managed, growing business ourselves, we are dedicated to delivering outstanding results for our clients – our reputation is key and we are not driven by volume of deals
  • From start to finish, with patience and resolve, we will steer even the most complex transactions to completion

Tailored, pragmatic approach

  • Every business and transaction is unique: we take the time to understand the intricacies of our clients’ businesses and their objectives
  • We deliver flexible, creative solutions 
  • We tailor the scope and fees on a case by case basis
  • Independent corporate finance boutique advisory focused on the lower-mid market
  • ABG Corporate Finance is partner-led and owned: founded by Eleanor Wilkinson in 2013, with Kristian Gavan joining in 2014
  • Experienced advisers to owner-managers and entrepreneurs, larger corporates and private equity clients
  • Sector agnostic – the team has transacted across a broad range of sectors

What makes us unique

Hands-on

  • Partner-led, pro-active advice
  • We provide impartial, thoughtful, plain speaking advice throughout the deal
  • Our extensive deal experience means we help our clients navigate through the inevitable complexities of M&A

Diligent and committed

  • As an owner-managed, growing business ourselves, we are dedicated to delivering outstanding results for our clients – our reputation is key and we are not driven by volume of deals
  • From start to finish, with patience and resolve, we will steer even the most complex transactions to completion

Tailored, pragmatic approach

  • Every business and transaction is unique: we take the time to understand the intricacies of our clients’ businesses and their objectives
  • We deliver flexible, creative solutions 
  • We tailor the scope and fees on a case by case basis

A more personalised and attentive way of delivering transactions

“Eleanor has successfully advised me on numerous transactions over the years. Not only is she technically strong but also easy to work with. I know she has my best interests at heart and is tenacious at getting the deal done"

Gary Burke

Group Executive Chairman and CEO, EGV

A more personalised and attentive way of delivering transactions

“Eleanor has successfully advised me on numerous transactions over the years. Not only is she technically strong but also easy to work with. I know she has my best interests at heart and is tenacious at getting the deal done"

Gary Burke

Group Executive Chairman & CEO, EGV

Team

Eleanor Wilkinson

Partner

Eleanor PS

Eleanor enjoys working with Entrepreneurs throughout the life-cycle of their investment journey.  She understands the pinch points of both growing and maturing businesses and what investors and acquirers look for at each stage.  She likes working with businesses in a variety of sectors as often the most exciting deals are when dynamics from one industry can be applied to another.

Knowing that “the devil is in the detail” Eleanor ensures she understands the nuances of the businesses she represents and the individual goals of her clients.  Armed with this knowledge she is able to present the business in its best light and act as a sounding board to her clients to discuss, debate and explore the pros and cons of options, tactics and strategies throughout the transaction.  Combining this leads to the right deal for the business and its shareholders.

Eleanor is a fellow of the ICAEW.  Prior to founding ABG Corporate Finance in 2013 she worked at Livingstone Partners (now Arrowpoint Advisory), KPMG Corporate Finance and KPMG where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant.

Email: ewilkinson@ABGCorporateFinance.com

Mobile: 07795 800306

Direct: 020 7330 0019

Kristian Gavan

Partner

KG PS1

Kristian joined ABG Corporate Finance in 2014, having spent over 10 years in mid-market corporate finance with KPMG and Livingstone Partners (now Arrowpoint Advisory).

He has advised on transactions in a wide range of sectors throughout his career, with particular experience and expertise in the Business Services, Technology and Healthcare sectors. He has completed deals worth over £1.5bn to date including extensive work with leading UK private equity investors and cross-border trade sales. Kristian is passionate about working closely with entrepreneurs and helping them at key points in their journey to develop world-class businesses.  Kristian is a fellow of the ICAEW.

Outside of work, Kristian tries to keep up with his wife and three sons as well as enjoying the occasional nice meal. He also keeps friends and colleagues entertained with his ‘all the gear, no idea’ approach to health and fitness.

Email: kgavan@ABGCorporateFinance.com

Mobile: 07971 603792

Direct: 020 7330 0021

Dan Sydee

Associate Director

Dan joined ABG Corporate Finance in 2016, having qualified with accountancy firm ABG.  Dan assists Eleanor and Kristian on transactions, getting involved in both the detail and wider deal.

In his career to date, Dan has worked on a number of deals, including buy-side and sell-side mandates and management buy-outs.

He is an Associate of the ICAEW and holder of the Corporate Finance Diploma.

Jo Penny

Analyst

Jo joined ABG Corporate Finance in 2021, where she is responsible for in-depth research and analysis, alongside deal origination.

Jo brings over 20 years of corporate finance research experience.  At Livingstone Partners (now Arrowpoint Advisory), she worked on projects across a wide spectrum of sectors, with a particular focus on Business Services. More recently, at Grant Thornton, she developed expertise in the Consumer sector.

Jo has a BA honours degree in Hispanic Studies from the University of Birmingham.  Outside of work, her interests centre on Greek islands, cooking and trying to do enough exercise to offset her love of cooking.  

Linus Williamson

Manager

Linus joined ABG Corporate Finance in 2021, having qualified as a Chartered Accountant at Shipleys LLP in London. Linus provides deal support including data analysis and financial modelling.

Linus has a BSc Honours degree in Physics from Cardiff University, and he is a member of the ICAEW.

Interests out of work include any sport, particularly rugby and cricket as well as travelling to hot destinations and sampling the local delicacies.

Will Sturt-Scobie

Associate

Will joined ABG Corporate Finance in 2019, having graduated from Exeter University with a BSc in Mathematics. After 3 years as part of the team, Will qualified as a Chartered Accountant. Will provides support throughout the deal process including data analysis and financial modelling.

Outside of work Will enjoys going to the gym and being out and about outdoors, from just cycling to the office to trekking across the UK for his next hike.

Eleanor Wilkinson

Partner

Eleanor PS

Eleanor enjoys working with Entrepreneurs throughout the life-cycle of their investment journey.  She understands the pinch points of both growing and maturing businesses and what investors and acquirers look for at each stage.  She likes working with businesses in a variety of sectors as often the most exciting deals are when dynamics from one industry can be applied to another.

Knowing that “the devil is in the detail” Eleanor ensures she understands the nuances of the businesses she represents and the individual goals of her clients.  Armed with this knowledge she is able to present the business in its best light and act as a sounding board to her clients to discuss, debate and explore the pros and cons of options, tactics and strategies throughout the transaction.  Combining this leads to the right deal for the business and its shareholders.

Eleanor is a fellow of the ICAEW.  Prior to founding ABG Corporate Finance in 2013 she worked at Livingstone Partners (now Arrowpoint Advisory), KPMG Corporate Finance and KPMG where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant.

ewilkinson@ABGCorporateFinance.com

Mobile: 07795 800306

Direct: 020 7330 0019

Kristian Gavan

Partner

KG PS1

Kristian joined ABG Corporate Finance in 2014, having spent over 10 years in mid-market corporate finance with KPMG and Livingstone Partners (now Arrowpoint Advisory).

He has advised on transactions in a wide range of sectors throughout his career, with particular experience and expertise in the Business Services, Technology and Healthcare sectors. He has completed deals worth over £1.5bn to date including extensive work with leading UK private equity investors and cross-border trade sales. Kristian is passionate about working closely with entrepreneurs and helping them at key points in their journey to develop world-class businesses.  Kristian is a fellow of the ICAEW.

Outside of work, Kristian tries to keep up with his wife and three sons as well as enjoying the occasional nice meal. He also keeps friends and colleagues entertained with his ‘all the gear, no idea’ approach to health and fitness.

Email: kgavan@ABGCorporateFinance.com

Mobile: 07971 603792

Direct: 020 7330 0021

Dan Sydee

Associate Director

Dan joined ABG Corporate Finance in 2016, having qualified with accountancy firm ABG.  Dan assists Eleanor and Kristian on transactions, getting involved in both the detail and wider deal.

In his career to date, Dan has worked on a number of deals, including buy-side and sell-side mandates and management buy-outs.

He is an Associate of the ICAEW and holder of the Corporate Finance Diploma.

Jo Penny

Analyst

Jo joined ABG Corporate Finance in 2021, where she is responsible for in-depth research and analysis, alongside deal origination.

Jo brings over 20 years of corporate finance research experience.  At Livingstone Partners (now Arrowpoint Advisory), she worked on projects across a wide spectrum of sectors, with a particular focus on Business Services. More recently, at Grant Thornton, she developed expertise in the Consumer sector.

Jo has a BA honours degree in Hispanic Studies from the University of Birmingham.  Outside of work, her interests centre on Greek islands, cooking and trying to do enough exercise to offset her love of cooking.  

Linus Williamson

Manager

Linus joined ABG Corporate Finance in 2021, having qualified as a Chartered Accountant at Shipleys LLP in London. Linus provides deal support including data analysis and financial modelling.

Linus has a BSc Honours degree in Physics from Cardiff University, and he is a member of the ICAEW.

Interests out of work include any sport, particularly rugby and cricket as well as travelling to hot destinations and sampling the local delicacies.

Will Sturt-Scobie

Associate

Will joined ABG Corporate Finance in 2019, having graduated from Exeter University with a BSc in Mathematics. After 3 years as part of the team, Will qualified as a Chartered Accountant. Will provides support throughout the deal process including data analysis and financial modelling.

Outside of work Will enjoys going to the gym and being out and about outdoors, from just cycling to the office to trekking across the UK for his next hike.

Services

  • Each business is unique and our approach is therefore individually tailored for every client
  • At the outset, we will work closely with you to understand your business and objectives
  • We provide practical, informed and honest advice, and our Partner-led offering allows us to draw on our vast experience to anticipate and navigate challenges and issues
  • Our goal is always to minimise management distraction so you can focus on running your business and we can ultimately deliver the best possible outcome for our clients

Transaction types include:

Testimonials

“We have worked with Kristian over a number of years and on several different transactions, not just at MSS. Kristian advised against exiting in full earlier and it has proven to be excellent advice. We were wary of private equity but he found an ideal investment partner for us as founding entrepreneurs and made sure the deal happened.”

Jonathan Benton

Managing Director, Medical Screening Solutions