MILLIE CRIGHTON
MILLIE CRIGHTON
Associate
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
Millie is an Associate at Acuity, bringing six years of corporate finance and legal experience to the team.
Prior to joining Acuity, Millie was an Associate at Ord Minnett, a leading mid-market investment bank in Sydney, advising on cross-border and domestic transactions across a range of sectors. Prior to that, Millie worked as an M&A solicitor at top-tier firms in both Australia and New Zealand. Millie holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from Victoria University of Wellington and is a qualified lawyer in both Australia and New Zealand.
“I would like to thank Marc and the Acuity team for guiding myself and the team through the entire sale process. Their sector expertise, deep market relationships, and strategic guidance were key in delivering a successful transaction. I’m grateful for their unwavering support and commitment to achieving the best outcome – they truly exceeded my expectations.”
PETER BOUCHER
CEO, Excalibur Communications
AFTER WORK
Outside of work, Millie is an avid but unimpressive runner, loves to cook for friends and will find any excuse to get outside to ski or trail run.
CLIENT SUCCESSES
WILMÉ OLIVIER
WILMÉ OLIVIER
Associate
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
Wilmé joined Acuity as an Associate in 2024, bringing a decade of combined advisory and industry experience. Prior to joining Acuity, Wilmé was a Manager in the Deloitte London M&A team, supporting entrepreneurs and corporates on cross-border mid-market transactions across a range of sectors. As a former Head of Service at a tax technology business, Wilmé also has hands-on industry experience working with customers, whilst streamlining operations and delivering strategies.
She qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte in Johannesburg and holds a Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree from the University of Pretoria.
“I would like to thank Marc and the Acuity team for guiding myself and the team through the entire sale process. Their sector expertise, deep market relationships, and strategic guidance were key in delivering a successful transaction. I’m grateful for their unwavering support and commitment to achieving the best outcome – they truly exceeded my expectations.”
PETER BOUCHER
CEO, Excalibur Communications
AFTER WORK
In her free time Wilmé enjoys playing netball or getting outside hiking, cycling, running or travelling. She is also a bookworm and always on the lookout for new book suggestions.
CLIENT SUCCESSES
ROBBIE ALLEN
ROBBIE ALLEN
Associate
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
A seasoned advisor, Robbie has delivered strategic value for over a decade in investment banking, management consulting and advisory roles.
With a proven track record of delivering cross border transactions, Robbie has extensive experience working with entrepreneurs, corporates and private equity advising on mergers and acquisitions, fundraising, valuation and strategic projects.
Robbie has significant exposure to technology sectors, including B2B software, enterprise software, tech-enabled services, fintech, digital banking, healthcare and data analytics.
As a former Senior Manager at PwC Management Consulting, Robbie led strategy through to implementation programmes in the areas of technology, digital, customer and post-merger integration. Robbie is a Chartered Accountant having qualified at Deloitte Ireland.
“The Acuity team impressed us from day one with their knowledge of how a successful acquisitions process must be managed both internally and externally. Their expertise, effective support, encouragement and advice in driving shareholder value was excellent. We have an exciting opportunity for growth and success in front of us and Acuity played a vital role in making all this happen.”
ROD CROOK
Executive Director, Ascertia
AFTER WORK
Robbie is an avid sportsman having played rugby union, Gaelic football at home in Ireland and football before taking on the challenge of golf. Outside of sport, Robbie enjoys cooking and catching up with friends.
CLIENT SUCCESSES
ASHLEIGH BARKER
ASHLEIGH BARKER
TEAM PA
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
Ashleigh brings over five years of administrative support experience, across retail and management consultancy sectors. With strong background of organisation, she has experience managing delivery assurance processes for clients, ensuring seamless engagements. Her collaborative approach fosters productive relationships, driving continuous improvement in client experiences. Ashleigh’s background includes providing high-quality support to clients in the aviation, retail and utilities industry.
“Stefan, Matthew, and the team at Acuity understood what we are trying to achieve at Cambridge Mechatronics and got that message across to investors. They displayed tenacity and sophistication when it really mattered to help close the deal.”
ANDY OSMANT
Co-Managing Director, Cambridge Mechatronics Limited
AFTER WORK
After work, Ashleigh juggles family and fostering duties as one of five siblings. A social butterfly, she loves organising gatherings for loved ones. Recently, she’s taken up running and aims to reach new distance goals. A foodie with questionable taste, Ashleigh enjoys culinary adventures, and she’s always planning her next outdoor excursion.
CLIENT SUCCESSES
ASHLEY SMITH
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
Ashley has worked with Deep Tech entrepreneurs across a variety of verticals in both Europe and the US. Prior to joining Acuity, Ashley worked on numerous cross-border Deep Tech deals as part of a mid-market Deep Tech investment bank, and in Capital Markets Research at Hyde Capital Partners. Ashley holds an MSc in Financial Economics from the University of Oxford.
“Acuity helped us complete this transaction in record time. Their strong and cohesive team forged excellent links with the PTSL team, providing value, support, and drive throughout the process. Huge thanks to Matthew, James, Naomi and the team for their hard work in making the process seamless for all.”
JORDAN MACKELLAR
CEO & Co-Founder, PTSL
AFTER WORK
Ashley’s favourite thing is to hit the mountains and go ski touring. He’s also recently converted from Tennis to Padel.
CLIENT SUCCESSES
SOPHIE GOW
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
Sophie is an Associate at Acuity, bringing four and a half years’ corporate finance experience. Prior to Acuity, Sophie was a Manager in the M&A team at PwC Auckland, a leading mid-market advisory team in New Zealand. Before that, she worked in investment banking and corporate finance. Sophie earned a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in finance) from the University of Otago, and is a qualified lawyer.
“Acuity helped us complete this transaction in record time. Their strong and cohesive team forged excellent links with the PTSL team, providing value, support, and drive throughout the process. Huge thanks to Matthew, James, Naomi and the team for their hard work in making the process seamless for all.”
JORDAN MACKELLAR
CEO & Co-Founder, PTSL
AFTER WORK
Sophie enjoys getting outside on the tennis court, hiking, and travelling to new places to have outdoor adventures. She loves spending time with friends and family, cooking up a storm in the kitchen, and going to the theatre to catch the latest musicals.
CLIENT SUCCESSES
ALEX CRAWFORD
ALEX CRAWFORD
Associate
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
Alex joined Acuity Advisors in October 2023, bringing five years of corporate finance experience. Alex is a Chartered Accountant having trained at EY before joining the transactions services team at FTI Consulting.
Prior to joining Acuity, Alex worked for two years on sell-side and buy-side deals across the media and technology sectors at WY Partners. Alex holds a history degree from University College London.
“We hired Q Advisors and Acuity Advisors for their deep knowledge of the cloud and managed services sectors, particularly around Contact Center and UCaaS, and their ability to understand the strategy of all the global players in the space. We are excited for our new relationship with Gamma and could not be more pleased with the financial and strategic outcome for Mission Labs, our stakeholders, and employees. It was great working with advisors who listened to our objectives, first and foremost, and were able to secure an industry-leading multiple for our business.”
DAMIEN HANSEN
CEO and Founder, Mission Labs
AFTER WORK
Outside of work, Alex can be found on the golf course, in the gym or watching test match cricket. Beyond sports he is a keen cook and enjoys travelling.
CLIENT SUCCESSES
MARC HORN
MARC HORN
Partner
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
Marc has over fifteen years of corporate finance experience and focuses on the telecoms, cloud, and managed services sector.
Marc has advised on over twenty-five transactions across communication services, public/hybrid/private cloud, digital transformation, and digital infrastructure. Along with deep sector knowledge Marc has experience working on a wide range of deal sizes from entrepreneur led businesses to multi-national enterprises.
Marc joined Acuity in 2023 after ten years at Oakley Advisory. Prior to that Marc held roles in private equity, M&A, and valuation consultancy. Marc holds an MBA from Oxford University and a Business & Economics degree from Lehigh University, Pennsylvania.
“I would like to thank Marc and the Acuity team for guiding myself and the team through the entire sale process. Their sector expertise, deep market relationships, and strategic guidance were key in delivering a successful transaction. I’m grateful for their unwavering support and commitment to achieving the best outcome – they truly exceeded my expectations.”
PETER BOUCHER
CEO, Excalibur Communications
AFTER WORK
Marc enjoys tennis and skiing, and in particular seeing his two young children quickly getting better – and soon surpassing him – at those.
CLIENT SUCCESSES
OWEN PETHICA
OWEN PETHICA
Vice President
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
Owen joined Acuity as an Associate in 2022 and is a member of the Software & Industrial Technology team. He brings five years’ M&A experience, most recently at Miles Advisory Partners, and has worked on mid-market transactions across Australia & the UK.
He is a qualified Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne.
“Working with Acuity helped us to shape the business plan and how we communicate it, as well as ensuring we targeted a highly relevant pool of investors. Their advice and guidance has helped shape this process and bring it to a great outcome for the company and investors in a round that was significantly oversubscribed.”
PAUL BRENNAN AND IAN STEVENSON
Chairman and CEO, Cyan Forensics
AFTER WORK
Owen enjoys getting outside to go hiking, skiing or diving, or staying in to watch the football in an attempt at cultural assimilation.
CLIENT SUCCESSES
DEBORA TONEVA
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
Debora joined Acuity Advisors as a Senior Analyst in September 2022. Prior to that she spent two years in the transaction execution team of mid-market M&A advisor Benchmark International. She has previously completed internships with Commerzbank and Oakley Advisory.
Debora has worked with founders and stakeholders across the telecoms, managed services and cybersecurity, professional services, and SaaS industries.
Debora holds an MSc degree in Corporate Finance from Loughborough University. She is also a non-native German speaker.
“I want to thank Marcus and the Acuity team for the support they gave us throughout the fundraising process. This investment will allow us to continue our rapid scale-up and underpins our commitment to deploy quality digital infrastructure and connect villages and towns throughout Scotland.”
GAVIN RODGERS
CEO of Lothian Broadband
AFTER WORK
In her free time, Debora enjoys staying active in the swimming pool and gym, being overly competitive at chess and board games evenings with friends and family, and perfecting her song repertoire as a beginner ukulele player.
