At EvolutionCBS, we work with motivated business owners to manage their succession plan and achieve the very best possible outcomes when it comes to selling their companies. Behind every successful deal is a dedicated team of experts — and at the heart of that team are our Client Directors.

These are the dealmakers. The strategists. The trusted advisors who guide our clients through one of the most significant journeys of their lives: preparing for, negotiating, and completing the sale of their business. All of EvolutionCBS’ Client Directors have held senior directorships in established companies and understand the challenges of running a business.

In this blog, we take you behind the scenes to explore the critical role our Client Directors play — and why their experience, insight, and negotiation skills make all the difference.

What Does a Client Director Do?

Selling a business isn’t just about finding a buyer — it’s about securing the right deal, with the right partner, at the right time. That’s where our Client Director comes in.

From the moment an owner decides to explore an exit, our Client Directors:

• Develop bespoke exit strategies tailored to the client’s goals.
• Manage our dedicated deal team to fully understand the opportunity your business represents and create the formal documentation we will use at market
• Lead negotiations to secure maximum value.
• Leverage EvolutionCBS’s global buyer network to identify the right opportunities.
• Provide clear, honest advice at every step, ensuring clients stay in control.

Their role goes far beyond “advisory” — they’re champions for our clients, ensuring that hard-earned legacies are protected and value is maximised.

Their role goes far beyond “advisory” — they’re champions for our clients, ensuring that hard-earned legacies are protected and value is maximised.

The Human Side of the Deal

Exiting a business is deeply personal. Our Client Directors understand this better than anyone. They build trusted, long-term relationships, often becoming sounding boards for owners facing tough decisions.

By combining strategic expertise with empathy and transparency, our team helps clients navigate challenges and seize opportunities with confidence.

Real Success, Real Results

Our Client Directors have helped countless business owners across multiple sectors achieve successful exits. From £5m to £50m EV transactions, their track record speaks for itself — but what really sets them apart is the way they work with our clients, not just for them.

Whether it’s identifying the perfect buyer, negotiating favourable terms, or managing complex processes, they are committed to securing the best possible outcome, every time.

Through a combination of careful preparation, realistic objectives and relentless focus aligned to our tried and tested approach, EvolutionCBS client directors can boast a market leading average success rate, over now nearly 15yrs, of more than 75%.

Meet the Dealmakers

Mike Whittle FIoD — Managing Director / Senior Client Director

A seasoned c‑level strategist with 30 years of experience across multiple industries—including Banking and IT, Mike brings trusted leadership and expert negotiation to every engagement.

• Approach to Dealmaking: Mike takes a hands‑on, strategic leadership approach. He focuses on bespoke exit strategies designed to drive maximum value through the lens of finding the ‘right fit’ buyer for each campaign, drawing on his deep understanding of acquisition dynamics and value creation.

• Key Market Insight: Leveraging his broad experience, Mike understands the subtle shifts in buyer behaviour and market sentiment – he has completed deals in industries as diverse as Technology, Manufacturing, Business Services, Automotive and Travel in his 8yrs at the helm of EvolutionCBS and maintains an enviable 80% success rate.
• Advice for Sellers: Preparation is everything. Mike advises owners to align their internal operations, financials, and narrative well ahead of sale. He emphasizes clear documentation, realistic expectations, and transparent communication to ensure a smooth process and the best possible outcome.

Chris Wilde — Associate Client Director

Chris brings almost a decade of corporate development leadership from Restore plc—plus experience running UK acquisitions for a $4 billion service business—and is a seasoned dealmaker in tech‑driven segments.

• Approach to Dealmaking: Chris delivers value through meticulous deal execution. He’s led around 100 acquisitions across SaaS, document management, digital transformation, and IT recycling, deploying over £300 million in capital. His experience as both an acquirer and entrepreneur gives him an unmatched perspective in evaluating businesses and aligning with buyer expectations.

• Key Market Insight: Chris knows that the tech landscape demands clarity and agility. He sees that well‑structured, digitally enabled businesses in high‑growth niches attract strong buyer interest, particularly when future scalability and alignment to market trends are explicit.
• Advice for Sellers: Choosing a partner to help sell your business may be the most important financial decision you ever make. Ensure that you have established complete mutual trust and a good personal chemistry with your advisor because you will need to rely on their judgement at critical moments in the process.

Chris Rickman — Client Director

With over 15 years at board level in technology and distribution, Chris brings operational depth and strategic insight to every transaction.

• Approach to Dealmaking: Chris merges operational expertise with storytelling to position businesses in the best possible light for potential buyers.
• Key Market Insight: Buyers increasingly seek businesses that are operationally robust, scalable, and supported by strong teams.
• Advice for Sellers: “Make your business ‘turnkey’. Document your processes and strengthen your structure — it drives confidence and higher valuations.”

Craig Compton — Associate Client Direct / Development Consulting Director

Craig leverages 20+ years of CFO-level experience in high-growth tech environments to help businesses prepare for sale, transformation, or acquisition.

• Approach to Dealmaking: Craig focuses on creating connected organisations with aligned culture, integrated systems, and scalable operations.
• Key Market Insight: Buyers place a premium on businesses with seamless processes, cohesive leadership, and unified data systems.
• Advice for Sellers: “Invest in technology and operational alignment early. A well-integrated business always achieves a stronger valuation.”

Real Success, Real Results

From £5m to £50m EV transactions, our Client Directors have helped countless business owners across sectors achieve exceptional outcomes. With a market-leading success rate of 75%+ over nearly 15 years, our approach combines preparation, strategic positioning, and relentless execution.

EvolutionCBS, is a long-established premium provider of business sale advisory services to UK businesses. For business owners thinking about succession or exit, the right strategy paired with the right advisor, can make all the difference between a good deal—and a life-changing one.

Thinking about selling your business? Our Client Directors are here to help. Get in touch today to discuss your options and start shaping the future you deserve.

Ready to Talk?

Thinking about selling your business? Our Client Directors are here to help you explore your options and shape the future you deserve.

Contact us today to start a confidential conversation.
EvolutionCBS: Overview | LinkedIn
fraser.hodgkiss@evolutioncbs.co.uk
www.evolutioncbs.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 118 959 8224

***************************

If you would like a no-obligation consultation on the sale of your business or would like to discuss our Business Valuation Service, click here.

As a long-established premium provider of business sale advisory services to UK businesses, EvolutionCBS offers business owners a complimentary and confidential discussion on how their specific objectives could be met and provides them with pragmatic, practical advice on how to begin preparing both themselves and their businesses for future sale or investment.

EvolutionCBS works with owners of UK businesses in any sector, finding buyers from around the world through highly targeted research and supporting clients with dedicated Director-led teams, at every stage of their journey to a successful sale or investment, we boast a market leading success rate with 14 year average above 75%.

If you are an owner or shareholder of a business and would like a no-obligation consultation on the sale of all or part of your business, please email: info@evolutioncbs.co.uk or contact us on Tel: 0118 959 8224.