SUSIE GILBERT

BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE


Susie joined Acuity in January 2019. Having spent the last 10 years playing international hockey, representing both Great Britain and England, she is now looking to develop her research and business skills while working at Acuity. Susie completed her degree at the University of Birmingham achieving a 1st Class honours in Geography.

“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


In her spare time, she is most likely to be found on a hockey pitch or in the gym. And if there is any time left over, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends.

JAMES CULL

BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE


James joined Acuity as an Associate in 2021, bringing the best part of three years’ TMT-focused M&A experience, notably from his role at Equiteq. He also has a wealth of experience in private equity, spending four of his seven years at KPMG in the Private Equity Group working across the Transaction Services and Audit teams.

James has been involved in buy-side, sell-side and fundraising projects touching many corners of the technology sector, including cloud computing, cyber security, data analytics, ecommerce, manufacturing technology, martech and the broader software industry.

He is a qualified Charted Accountant and holds a Master’s in Accounting and Finance from the University of Technology, Sydney.

“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


James enjoys outdoor activity such as long country walks, skiing and digging up the golf course.

DAVID COPP

BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE


David joined Acuity as Vice President in 2017, bringing over eight years’ experience across M&A advisory and corporate development and an advisory focus on selling and acquiring entrepreneurial businesses. He moved into corporate finance after studying Economics at the University of East Anglia.

David has significant experience in enterprise software, vehicle telematics, digital media and related technologies. His experience of advising entrepreneurs on the sell-side and as a corporate acquirer on the buy-side gives him a strong understanding of the M&A process from both perspectives, invaluable in navigating the challenges and complexities of many M&A transactions.

“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


David’s passion is for the hills and mountains where you’ll find him trail running, mountain biking, climbing or skiing.

TRACY ATKINS

BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE


Since joining Acuity in 2009 Tracy has provided deal support to the Partners on a variety of fundraising and M&A transactions. Tracy has a strong administrative background having previously worked as Executive Assistant at board level supporting CEOs, founders and entrepreneurs in a number of start-up organisations.

“Acuity played an instrumental role in helping us secure this acquisition. The pragmatism and relentless focus of their team was pivotal to us achieving a fantastic outcome.”


TOBY HUGHES

Founder and CEO, Yourwealth.co.uk

AFTER WORK


Tracy is an avid sideline supporter at her three sporty children’s various hockey and football matches. When she is not playing taxi driver or cheerleader, Tracy enjoys spinning classes.

KRISTINA PARDOE

BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE


Kristina joined the Acuity team as a Client Support Executive in November 2016, bringing a wealth of experience in an interesting mix of sectors. Kristina has provided high-quality support to senior executives in aviation IT, motorsport, construction and property development.

“The Acuity team played a key role in supporting both GCP and the management team throughout this deal. We chose Acuity because of their deep software & fintech sector knowledge, hands-on mentality and value adding insight – and the team have delivered.”


RICHARD SHAW
Partner, Growth Capital Partners

AFTER WORK


Outside of work – when she is not catering to the needs of her demanding French Bulldogs – Kristina loves nature and wildlife, escaping to the countryside on long hikes and unleashing her inner MasterChef in the kitchen.

DAN DELOOZE

BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE


Dan joined Acuity Advisors in 2020, bringing five years’ M&A and Corporate Finance experience. He has worked with entrepreneurs in a variety of sectors, with a recent focus on SaaS, data analytics, IT and marketing services.

Dan joined Acuity Advisors from Clearwater International where he worked on sell-side, buy-side and fundraising projects for a wide range of businesses across the UK.

“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


Dan is a keen cyclist and an avid Arsenal fan, outside of sports he is also interested in cooking and baking.

MATTHEW BYATT


BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE


Matthew is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Acuity and leads the Acuity Advisors’ Deep Tech practice.

Matthew has held senior leadership and corporate finance positions with some of the UK’s most successful and influential technology and consultancy companies. Roles with ARM, McKinsey and Cadence have given Matthew an exceptional insight into a number of the UK’s eminent start-ups.

Matthew has considerable experience across a broad range of technology sectors throughout the UK, US and Asia, ranging from nanotechnology, semiconductor and cleantech to digital media and internet businesses. It’s experience that has given him a robust and well-developed international network. Having also run and successfully exited his own business, Matthew has a deep understanding of the financial and emotional aspects of this demanding process, bringing a unique and authoritative perspective to each business sale.

One of Matthew’s strengths is understanding complex technical value propositions, one of the benefits of training as an electronic engineer. He gets to the heart of what drives a company’s value and communicates this persuasively to potential buyers and investors. Matthew understands a buyer’s motivation intuitively and delivers a compelling rationale for why a business sale should be of strategic interest. His insight consistently yields higher deal values and results in great successes for his clients.

“Matthew and the Acuity team are true semiconductor experts who brought vitality and professionalism to every stage of our transaction. Their knowledge of the sector and their ability to advise us on a highly nuanced and effective process was instrumental in exiting Codeplay to Intel. I would be more than happy to recommend Acuity for any mid-market semiconductor exit.”


JIM NICHOLAS
Chairman, Codeplay

AFTER WORK


Matthew is married with three children but still finds time to fly (he has a private pilot’s licence), sail and run.

MARCUS ALLCHURCH

BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE


Marcus joined Acuity in 2014, before which he held senior leadership and corporate finance positions with some of the UK’s most successful advisory and telecoms businesses. Roles with EE, KPMG Corporate Finance and BDO Corporate Finance have seen Marcus work in the UK and across the globe with successful entrepreneurs seeking exit, and at board level with multi-national corporates looking for growth through organic and inorganic investment.

Marcus qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG, and has considerable experience working across the technology, media and telecoms sectors. He has always been drawn to the business models and personalities of cutting edge, entrepreneurial businesses. Equally at home discussing the merits of different network technologies, alternative payments, detailed financials and the future of digital marketing, Marcus has a track record of quickly identifying and articulating the value in a business or proposition.

With years of experience and successful transactions to his name, Marcus is well known and respected by entrepreneurs, corporates and private equity houses in the UK and overseas, and he has gained a reputation as being interested, astute, engaged and pragmatic.

“Marcus was brilliant for us, leading a well-informed team who had researched the market even before we appointed them. Obviously highly experienced, we found Marcus well-versed in accountancy practices and with just the right degree of push to the potential acquirers. The IM was highly praised by all who read it with one comment that it was the best they had ever seen. Above all, I am very keen to praise Marcus who we considered reflected the passion and success of our company and whom we trusted implicitly to give us the right advice.”


JOHN KENT
Chairman, Traka plc

AFTER WORK


Marcus is married with three children but still finds time to run, hike and serve as an officer in the London Regiment (Army Reserve).

CLIENT SUCCESSES


 

Acuity advises Macquarie Capital and Tiger Infrastructure backed Voneus, on its acquisition of the trade and assets of Broadway Partners

Acuity advise Mondago on its strategic investment from Akixi

Acuity acts as lead advisor to Pure IP on its sale to BCM One

Acuity advises Qube GB on its sale to ICG-backed Circet

Acuity advises Spring Fibre on its £155 million funding from River and Mercantile

Acuity advises Lothian Broadband Group on its £20 million cornerstone funding from The Scottish National Investment Bank

Acuity advise Broadway Partners on its £145 million funding from Downing LLP

Acuity & Q Advisors Represent Mission Labs in Its Acquisition by Gamma Communications

Acuity advises LDC on investment into network performance & security specialist Phoenix Datacom

Foresight completes investment into Lightning Fibre to bring hyperfast broadband connectivity to the South East

Windsor Telecom accelerates growth

Acuity advises US-based MEI Wet Processing Systems and Services LLC on their sale to PE-backed RENA Technologies GmbH

Acuity secures investment from FPE Capital in Kallik, a leading provider of Labelling and Artwork Management SaaS solutions to the Medical Device, Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sectors

Acuity advises Community Fibre on their £50m funding boost from RPMI and Amber Infrastructure

Acuity advised Call Flow on their €30m investment to bring full-fibre broadband to further small towns in South East England

Acuity advises CommuniGator on cross-border sale to Spotler

Ncam Technologies Limited secures investment from YFM Equity Partners

TrueSpeed Communications Ltd secures funding from Aviva plc

Merger of Sub10 Systems with Fastback Networks

Sale of 3V Transaction Services Limited to SafeCharge

WENDY KUEHN

WENDY KUEHN

Data and Systems Manager



BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE


Wendy joined Acuity in 2013 as a Client Support Executive and has provided deal support on a number of transactions – both fund-raising and M&A – spanning a wide range of sectors including document management, telecoms, semiconductor and cloud platforms. Previously, Wendy has worked for a varied clientele including boutique consultancies and multi-national blue chip firms, managing large-scale projects for a number of household names.

An ambassador for process improvement through technology, Wendy is now applying her IT skills in the role of Data and Systems Manager, ensuring Acuity’s systems and operational processes are fully functional and streamlined and implementing new solutions to reflect the technology needs of a growing business, with a focus on maintaining the security and compliance of data across all of Acuity’s systems.

“The whole Acuity Team were instrumental in supporting all the Shareholders and the Executive team from the initial engagement to the final closure. They ensured through a very hands on approach that we benefited from their insights and timely application of tactical activities. The team were able to drive a highly competitive process across a broad set of global prospects.”


PAUL BRENNAN
Chairman, JHC

AFTER WORK


Wendy’s 2 sons largely dictate the expenditure of any free time however, she is not so subtly trying to instil in them her own passion for snow and water sports… they are reciprocating with a (largely unwanted) education in the worlds of Minecraft and Fortnite.  Relaxation time is largely spent plugged into podcasts, painting and dabbling with code.