Transaction Management

The Associate Client Director role is central to the proactive management of the EvolutionCBS sales process. Acting as deal leaders and strategists, they are trusted advisors who guide/lead clients through preparing for exit, marketing the business, managing negotiations, through to completion of the sale. All of EvolutionCBS’ Associate Client Directors have held senior directorships and fiduciary roles in established companies and have extensive experience of selling companies.

From the moment an owner decides to explore an exit, our Associate 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’ extensive network to identify the right opportunities.
• Provide clear, honest advice at every step, ensuring clients feel in control.

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

Mike Whittle, Managing Director of EvolutionCBS comments:

“Our new senior deal team leverages decades of deal making experience to ensure EvolutionCBS clients get the very best M&A advisory services, care and attention, especially as our low volume, premium guided service continues to deliver exceptional deals in the £5m-£50m EV range.

“The team has completed deals in industries as diverse as Waste Management, Technology/Software, Manufacturing, Business Services, Automotive and Travel, and maintains an enviable near 80% success rate,” Mike concludes.

A sector agnostic advisor, the team at EvolutionCBS focus on building each campaign specifically around our client and their business. As a result, they have a track record of successful deals in a myriad of diverse sectors, including data management and recycling services (the sale of Shred-On-Site Ltd to Restore Group Plc), mechanical and electrical services (via the acquisition of Synecore Limited by H.I.G. Capital) and commercial vehicle repair and refurbishment services (C&C Vehicle Services acquired by Steer Automotive Group).

EvolutionCBS prides itself on its ability to help owners to align their objectives, internal operations and financials, well ahead of a sale, with an emphasis on clear documentation, realistic expectations, and transparent communications to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Our Client Directors

Chris Rickman, Client Director

A Board Level Director with more than 15 years’ experience in the Technology and Distribution Sectors, Chris has operated at the highest level in these demanding and fast paced industries delivering transformational business programmes and playing a fundamental role as Chief Operations Officer in the preparation of one of the UK’s most successful technology businesses for its eventual sale in 2015.

Over the last four years Chris has worked on significant M&A projects on behalf of EvolutionCBS, utilising his considerable experience as a senior board director to quickly understand how best to support our clients as they embark on their exit or investment journeys.

Chris Wilde, Associate Client Director

An experienced M&A professional with a track record of UK acquisitions on behalf of a $4 billion service business, Chris has led around 100 acquisitions across SaaS, document management, digital transformation, and IT recycling, deploying over £300 million in capital.

A seasoned dealmaker in tech‑driven segments, Chris delivers value through meticulous deal execution. His experience as both an acquirer and entrepreneur give him an unmatched perspective in evaluating businesses and aligning with buyer expectations. 

Adam Chandler, Associate Client Director

An entrepreneur and experienced Managing Director with a background in M&A and B2B service provision, Adam founded and successfully exited one of the largest independent data destruction businesses in the UK in 2025, advised by the deal team at EvolutionCBS.

In 2006 he headed up the UK M&A division of UTC Fire & Security and led the commercial team in a £50m+ acquisition of a market leading fire suppression systems business.

Craig Compton, Development Consulting Director

An experienced CFO with 20+ years working in high-growth technology companies across the globe, Craig advises on mergers and acquisitions, growth strategies, negotiation, and delivering successful technology-led transformation outcomes for his clients.

Craig specialises in transforming companies to be fit for their next phase of growth, whether it is a company sale, a transformation event, or acquisitive growth, guided by the knowledge that acquirers place a premium on businesses with seamless processes, cohesive leadership, and unified data systems.

John Knight, Associate Client Director

A seasoned entrepreneur and M&A adviser with more than four decades of commercial experience, John has built, grown, and successfully exited six of his own businesses and supported the sale of dozens of SMEs across the UK.

For over ten years, John has specialised in advising business owners on exit planning, acquisitions, and value realisation strategies. During this time, he has supported the sale of around 30 SMEs across the UK, bringing deep practical insight into the transaction process.

He provides clients with pragmatic, experience-led guidance grounded in first-hand knowledge of the transaction process. John is particularly valued for his straightforward approach and ability to support business owners through each stage of a sale

A premium guided approach

EvolutionCBS work alongside business owners as partners — helping them understand options, strengthen positioning, and prepare properly so that when a process begins, it does so from a position of strength.

Our low-volume, premium guided approach allows our Client Directors to invest significant time in each engagement, building campaigns around the individual business rather than applying a standard formula or broad market exposure. Every process is carefully managed, confidentially controlled, and designed to find the right partner — not simply any buyer.

For many owners, the most valuable first step is not launching a sale, but gaining clarity.

If succession, investment, or an eventual exit is somewhere on your horizon, a confidential conversation can help you understand where you are in that journey — and what preparation today could mean for tomorrow’s outcome.

Fraser Hodgkiss
fraser.hodgkiss@evolutioncbs.co.uk
07957 834506
+44 (0) 118 959 8224

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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.