Spotlight Series: M&A - Making your business stand out in a buyer’s market

The state of the M&A market in the UK recruitment sector

Steven Raize, Corporate Partner, Trowers & Hamlins LLP

Steven gives an overview of M&A activity over 2025 and 2026 in the recruitment sector so far, and look at what the next 12-18 months hold from an M&A perspective. He examines key recent changes in deal structures and time factors driving growth in this market and what you as a business owner can do to increase the value of your recruitment business right now so it is ready when the time comes to sell.

Panel Discussion - How do you create strategic choice through proactive transition planning?

Matt Fox, Managing Director, Exitus Advisory

John Bissell, Owner, LBA

Jamie Cassell, Partner, Saffery

Whatever your end goal is for your business, the way you run it from day one will have a lasting impact on your ability to achieve success. By looking ahead and understanding the elements that make a recruitment business attractive to investors or buyers, business owners can shape their future on their own terms.

Our panel explores what “readiness” really means in practice, the common pitfalls to avoid, and the opportunities that arise when planning early and strategically. Our panellists discuss their experience of buying and selling recruitment businesses, and what measures they put in place to ensure the financial, operational and strategic objectives were realised.