We provide sell-side and buy-side M&A advice and support companies looking to raise third-party capital

GHF Advisory advises CIL, the global growth strategy consultancy, on its acquisition of specialist pricing consultancy, Pearson Ham

GHF Advisory is pleased to announce that its client, CIL Strategy Consulting, has acquired the business and assets of Pearson Ham Consulting, one of the Europe’s best-known specialist pricing consultancies.

The acquisition strengthens CIL’s value creation capability, a core growth area that has seen significant investment in recent years, and adds further depth in pricing and commercial performance improvement.

Pearson Ham has built a strong reputation advising clients across sectors including retail, consumer goods, B2B services and subscription-based businesses. Its team helps organisations improve pricing strategy, delivery and governance, supported by proprietary tools, experienced consultants and long-standing client relationships. The acquisition includes all of Pearson Ham Consulting’s employees, adding around 30 people to CIL’s Pricing team.

While CIL Strategy Consultants remains the main firm-wide brand, the Pricing & Commercial Excellence team will now go to market as CIL Pearson Ham. This gives the pricing practice a clear market-facing identity that brings together the strength of both brands.

Clients of both firms will be able to draw on a broader, connected offer, from market entry and growth strategy through to pricing design, implementation and value creation. With teams across Europe and the US, CIL Pearson Ham will help clients link strategy and pricing more closely, turning sharper insight into practical commercial action.

Jon Whiteman, Managing Partner at CIL, said: “This acquisition reflects the confidence we have in pricing as an important growth area for CIL. Clients are facing more pressure to improve commercial performance, and CIL Pearson Ham gives us a stronger platform to support them across strategy, value creation and pricing.”

Commenting on GHF Advisory’s role in the acquisition, Jon added: “GHF Advisory’s experience in this sector, combined with the team’s hands-on approach to transaction execution and project management, meant they were a natural choice for us when selecting an adviser to help us with this acquisition. Ed and Nicole were instrumental in structuring the deal and moving at pace when it mattered.”

Ed Groome, Managing Director at GHF Advisory, said: “It has been fantastic to work with CIL, one of the leading growth strategy consultancies, to help them build additional scale in a strategic growth area. The Pearson Ham team brings valuable additional pricing experience and capabilities to CIL’s existing offering. CIL will provide a great home for the Pearson Ham team and clients. Congratulations to all parties!”

GHF Advisory is pleased to announce that our client, Selbey Anderson, has completed the sale of Greentarget UK (GT), one of the UK’s leading specialist financial and professional services communications agencies.

GT has been acquired by Infinite, the US-headquartered communications and reputation management firm recently backed by ParkSouth Ventures.

Founded in 2006 and based in the City of London, GT has deep expertise in international financial markets with a multilingual team advising clients across banking, investment management, hedge funds, fintech, and professional services. With the acquisition, GT Managing Director Jeff Watt joins Infinite’s management team and will lead European operations.

The transaction more than doubles Infinite’s footprint in London and positions Infinite as a fully integrated, full service agency for asset and wealth management firms and other capital markets and financial services participants across the UK, continental Europe, and North America.

Jamie Diaferia, Founder & CEO of Infinite, said: “GT’s expertise, senior-led approach and strong culture make them an ideal fit for Infinite.”

Jeff Watt, Managing Director of GT, said: “For nearly two decades, GT has advised some of the most complex and influential organizations in finance. This next step gives our team the opportunity to build on that experience as part of an ambitious international platform, with scale and broader opportunities for our clients and colleagues.”

GHF Advisory advised the GT management team and the company’s shareholder, Selbey Anderson, on the sale.

Discussing GHF Advisory’s role in the transaction, Jeff Watt commented: “Throughout this process GHF Advisory has been a trusted adviser to GT, helping us identify the best home for our business and shape a transaction that supports our strategic priorities and long-term success.”

David Rainbow, CFO of Selbey Anderson, added: “We’re delighted with this outcome and look forward to seeing GT thrive under new ownership. GHF Advisory’s understanding of the GT business, the services and revenue model, and the wider market dynamics, was critical in getting this transaction over the line.”

Ed Groome, founder and Managing Director at GHF Advisory, said: “It has been a pleasure to support Selbey Anderson on this important divestiture. The combination of GT with Infinite creates a powerful platform, establishing the enlarged business as a premier transatlantic strategic communications agency.”

GHF Advisory is delighted to announce that it has acted as the exclusive Corporate Finance advisor to JJC FinTech, on its sale to Bain & Company. JJC FinTech is a London-based boutique financial services consulting and technology firm with deep industry experience in Client Lifecycle Management (CLM) and Anti-Financial Crime.

The transaction enhances Bain’s ability to help global financial services clients improve and accelerate their Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-money laundering (AML) processes and deliver better customer experience.

Discussing the transaction, JJC co-founders Jon May and Jon Wilson commented: “Blending Bain’s world-leading strategic thinking with JJC’s deep practical industry expertise in the financial crime and Client Lifecycle Management domain will help turn clients’ ambitions into real world results.”

GHF Advisory deal team was led by Ed Groome and Nicole Wish, with legal advice from Ilya Alexandrov and Alexandra Nicolls from Wallace LLP. Congratulations to the JJC founders Jon May and Jon Wilson for building a fantastic business and securing a great new home for yourselves and the team.

Ed Groome, Managing Director of GHF Advisory, commented: “It was clear to us from the first discussion with Jon and Jon that there was a very deep and synergistic relationship between JJC and Bain. It’s been a pleasure working with the JJC and Bain teams to turn that into a transaction structure that works so well for all parties. JJC is a fantastic business with deep industry experience and will undoubtedly thrive as part of Bain.”

Commenting on GHF Advisory’s role in the process, Jon May & Jon Wilson, founders of JJC, said: “GHF Advisory has been a true strategic partner on this transaction journey. Their deep understanding of our business and the wider sector, combined with a hands-on and committed approach, meant they advised, challenged and supported us at every step. The team’s strategic guidance was instrumental in us achieving this successful agreement with Bain.”

GHF Advisory advised on the sale of A.I. PR, the London-based luxury fashion PR agency. A.I. PR  has merged with LUCIEN PAGES COMMUNICATION following its acquisition by The Independents, the luxury agency backed by Towerbrook Capital Partners and Banijay Group.

A.I. PR was founded by Adam Iezzi in 2005 and has become known for its curation of industry-leading fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands within the luxury market. A commitment to best-in-class communications, combined with a very personal touch, has ensured the delivery of meaningful PR campaigns rooted in authentic storytelling and activations.

Lucien Pagès Communication is a public relations agency founded in 2006 in Paris with a wide-ranging portfolio of leading brands as well as young emerging fashion and luxury brands that have become industry references. Lucien Pagès Communication joined The Independents in December 2024. The Independents Group is a global collective for industry leaders across brand experience, strategy, design and production for luxury and lifestyle brands. Since June 2023, The Independents Group is backed by Banijay Group and Towerbrook Capital Partners.

Commenting on the deal, Adam said: “I have worked with Lucien Pagès for more than 15 years and I couldn’t think of a more natural partner for the next chapter of my agency. Soon after meeting Lucien, I noticed that we shared common values. A commitment to the highest possible standards of communication, a passion for creativity and a strong work ethic. He became an ally in business and even more a friend. Thanks to Lucien Pagès global reach and the wider network of The Independents, I will be able offer an even stronger service to my clients, while maintaining and strengthening my team.”

Ed Groome, Managing Director of GHF Advisory said: “This has been a great deal to work on. We have secured a fantastic outcome for Adam, ensuring all his objectives were met. Merging with Lucien Pagès, with the support of the Independents, positions the company in the strongest possible position for the future.”

Discussing GHF Advisory’s role in the process, Adam added: “Many thanks to Ed and the wider deal team. He really helped me navigate this process and achieve a great outcome.”

GHF Advisory advised TSG on the successful acquisition of Bristol-based Computer Geeks. This was TSG’s second successful acquisition since the investment from Pictet Group in 2024.

Computer Geeks is a well-established Managed Service Provider driven by customer satisfaction, with a strong focus on the Microsoft ecosystem within cloud, workplace and security, which aligns well with TSG’s service offering and values. The partnership enhances TSG’s managed services platform, strengthens its cyber security offerings, and boosts the company’s presence further in the South West.

Rory McKeand, TSG CEO said:  “We are thrilled to have Computer Geeks join TSG. During our due diligence, we found that the brilliant teams are considered trusted advisors by their clients. Like us, they have a world class NPS score, and our values align with helping ambitious businesses. Computer Geeks is a high-quality modern Microsoft cloud and modern workplace provider that is secure by design. The company became one of a handful of IT companies in its region to achieve National Cyber Security Centre Assured Service Provider status, the endorsement is a testament to Computer Geeks’ passion and expertise in cyber security protection.

Nick Richards, Manager Director at Computer Geeks commented on the deal: “We’ve found an excellent new home for the business and have been really impressed with TSG in all of our dealings so far. We can see clear similarities with our already existing solutions, as well as a portfolio of new services that will benefit our clients.  TSG and Computer Geeks share the same values, employ like-minded individuals and are focused on client satisfaction.  As part of TSG, I am looking forward to ensuring a smooth transition and integration – our clients and employees can be reassured that I will be working tirelessly to ensure this goes well.”

Ed Groome, Managing Director of GHF Advisory, commented: “This is a meaningful deal for TSG building on a history of organic and acquisitive growth. I’m delighted that GHF Advisory was able to play a part in that ongoing journey, helping to bring these great companies together. The combined organisation will go from strength to strength as one of the country’s leading MSPs.”

GHF Advisory has advised the shareholders of Finyx on a deal with Ekwithree Investments to take a stake in Finyx, to help provide the company with the funds to grow the business over the next 5 years and beyond.

 Finyx is a leading IT Management Consulting firm delivering sustainable digital and technology-enabled change to prestigious private and public sector organisations. Ekwithree is the management company for the E3 growth fund which has been established by successful entrepreneurs with a proven track record of building a global B2B service provider. The team at Ekwithree bring the financial means, know-how, ability and experience to help Finyx to scale and internationalise the business.

The deal positions Finyx as a “Platform Company” with a growth plan that includes investment in organic and non-organic growth. Over the coming years Finyx expect to see opportunities to grow their footprint across additional industries such as utilities and infrastructure, additional services including AI, Data and Cloud, and additional geographies, for example expansion into the EU.

The Ekwithree Leadership team said: “We have been thoroughly impressed by the outstanding professionalism and integrity of the Finyx leadership team. Their service offering, which addresses the increasing market demand, their strong reputation, and their strategic growth plan, all align perfectly with our values and vision. The market Finyx operates in is both dynamic and full of potential, and we are eager to explore the exciting opportunities for future growth and development together.”

The Finyx Leadership team said: “This partnership brings valuable expertise that will accelerate our expansion and strengthen our market position. With increased scale we can gain market share in new sectors and geographies and deliver bigger projects with material impact to our clients. Our tag line “small enough to care, big enough to depend on” summarises our aspirations for the firm and our differentiated cultural DNA. We will maintain the focus we have today but will be able to provide a wider range of services.”

Commenting on the role GHF Advisory played in the transaction, Phil Stewart, MD of Finyx, said: “Many thanks for your sage advice, expertise and steady hand through this complex transaction. We couldn’t have done it without you – and look forward to working with you in the future.”