The M&A Zing
Episodes
S3 Ep4: M&A Zing (S3EP4) – The UK Search Fund Playbook with Thomas Fry & Luke Grob (LT Heritage Partners)
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of M&A Zing, Gareth Hawkins sits down with Thomas Fry and Luke Grob, co-founders of LT Heritage Partners, to break down what it a...
S3 Ep3: M&A Zing (S3EP3) – Mowers & Multiples: Inside the UK Landscaping Roll-Up Wave
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
UK landscaping is consolidating fast. We unpack the roll-up playbook, size up the big platforms, and then get practical with two real listings: a Lon...
S3 Ep2: M&A Zing (S3 Ep. 2) –Culture and Cash Discipline: Craig Brennan on Buying 60 Nurseries,
29 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Gareth sits down with Craig Brennan to unpack how he’s grown a 60-site nursery group through patient dealmaking, strong operating cadence and a peo...
S3 Ep1: M&A Zing (S3EP01) - AI for Due Diligence: Reccy’s Andrew Stace on Faster, Smarter Deals
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Can AI cut due diligence time from weeks to days without missing red flags? For the first episode of Season 3, Gareth talks to Andrew Stace, CEO and ...
S2 Ep20: M&A Zing (S2EP20) - Buy-Side Breakdown: AI Music Creation Platform at ~3.5x Revenue
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
AI Music SaaS: 3M+ Users, 80% Margins, ~£560k Profit — smart bet or burning platform? In this Buy-Side Breakdown, we analyse a consumer-led AI m...
S2 Ep19: M&A Zing (S2EP19) - Margins & Machines: Buy-Side Breakdown of a 30 year Machining Business
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Another Buy-Side Breakdown: we unpack a 30-year CNC machining business reporting ~£2.4m turnover and unusually strong margins. This isn’t a fluffy ...
S2 Ep18: M&A Zing (S2EP18) - Beyond “ABC”: The Art and Practice of Good SMB M&A with Andrew Longcore
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week Gareth is joined by Andrew Longcore - Managing Partner at Business Law Group and Founder of Cecil Sterling & Co. - to unpack what makes ...
S2 Ep17: M&A Zing (S2EP17) - People, Culture, AI: Toby Henry’s ETA Blueprint for Sustainable Change
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's M&A Zing interview, Gareth talks with Toby Henry - former consultant and fintech exec turned acquisition entrepreneur - about buyin...
S2 Ep16: M&A Zing (S2EP16) - Vinyl Roll-Up or Romantic Relic? Breaking Down a £9.7m Turnover Listing
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s Buy Side Breakdown dissects a vinyl and merchandise producer listing touting ~£9.7m revenue and ~£1.83m adj. EBITDA, “fully relocata...
S2 Ep15: M&A Zing (S2EP15) - Brilliant Alone, Louder Together: Tonia Nagle on Agency Roll-Ups & No-PG Deals
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tonia Nagle has sat on both sides of the table: scaling at P&G and leading transformations across FMCG, telecoms and agencies. Now she’s buying ...
S2 Ep14: M&A Zing (S2EP14) - From No-Money-Down to Community Legacy: Jenna Hill on Building FIA Investments
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The M&A Zing, Gareth sits down with Jenna Hill, founder of FIA Investments, to explore how she built a thriving portfolio of Northern...
S2 Ep13: M&A Zing (S2EP13) - VC to ETA: Alexander Kalis on Boring Buyouts, Equity Gaps & the Next Wave
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alexander Kalis has sat on every side of the investment table: from Rothschild and Santander hedge fund management, to running a $1bn global asset man...
S2 Ep12: M&A Zing (S2EP12) - Scientist Turns Searcher: Robert Shore on Healthcare ETA, AI Moats & Deal Flow
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From vaccine research at Harvard, to AstraZeneca BD, to running a £50m book, and now a traditional, healthcare-only search. Robert Shore (Shorefox Pa...
S2 Ep11: M&A Zing (S2EP11) - SMB M&A’s Inflection Point: Live with Al Zucker
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A live keynote from Al Zucker on why UK/EU SMB M&A is hitting an inflection point: the seller wave, VC’s post-ZIRP reset, operator-led deals, an...
S2 Ep10: M&A Zing (S2EP10) - On-Market vs Off-Market: Pipeline, Pricing & Pitfalls
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week: We break down on-market vs off-market search for UK SMB M&A—what moves faster, where value hides, and how to avoid deal fatigue. We m...
S2 Ep9: M&A Zing (S2EP9) - The Future of SMB M&A: Trends, Tactics & Tech
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode of M&A Zing, Alfie and Gareth dive into the future of SMB M&A in the UK and Europe. From the latest deal trends and th...
S2 Ep8: M&A Zing (S2EP8) - Buy Side Breakdown: Driver Training, Haulage & Storage Business for Sale
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s Buy Side Breakdown, Alfie is joined by colleague Toby Johnson to assess a logistics and transport company currently listed for sale i...
S2 Ep8: M&A Zing (S2EP7) - Cold Outreach for Acquisitions: Connect with Owners and Unlock Off-Market Deals
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special solo edition of M&A Zing, Alfie dives deep into one of the most misunderstood parts of the acquisition process: outreach. Finding...
S2 Ep6: M&A Zing (S2EP6) - Jan-Marc Pickhan’s Playbook: Transforming UK Engineering SMEs Through Acquisition
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on M&A Zing, Gareth sits down with Jan-Marc Pickhan, a serial acquirer who has built three engineering groups - Allied Global Engineerin...
S2 Ep5: M&A Zing (S2EP5) - Mastering the First Acquisition: Cal Shelton’s Playbook for Growth
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this illuminating episode of The M&AZing Podcast, host Alfie Lambert talks with Cal Shelton, entrepreneur and owner of Precision MSK Health. Ca...
S2 Ep4: M&A Zing (S2EP4) - Search Fund Royalty: Mentorship, Models, and the Future of ETA - Bramley Johnson
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Gareth Hawkins speaks with Bramley Johnson, renowned search fund investor, former Director of the International Search Fund Center, a...
S2 Ep3: M&A Zing (S2EP3) - Public vs Private Serial Acquirers: Strategies for Success
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this insightful episode, Gareth Hawkins speaks with Amit Rai, CEO and co-founder of Astra Holdings, alongside Michele Corradi (CEO) and Andrea Alle...
S2 Ep1: M&A Zing (S2EP1) - Inside Moonbase Capital: Backing Europe’s Top Searchers with Ibrahim Abdel Rahim
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Gareth Hawkins for a special live episode from the Serial Acquirer Symposium, featuring Ibrahim Abdel Rahim, Managing Partner at Moonbase Capital...
S2 Ep2: M&A Zing (S2EP1) - Inside Novastone Capital's Operator-Led Search: with Robin Goldhagen
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode recorded live from the Serial Acquirer Symposium in London, we’re joined by Robin Goldhagen, Assistant Vice President of Inv...
S1 Ep20: M&A Zing (Ep. 20) - Buy-Side Breakdown: Evaluating a Creative Agency Acquisition
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Gareth Hawkins and Alfie Lambert for another insightful Buy-side Breakdown as they analyse the potential acquisition of a creative and digital ag...
S1 Ep18: M&A Zing (Ep. 19) - AI, Exits & The CEO Mindset: Paul Avins
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From “credit-card startup money” to five exits + a global coaching empire, Paul Evans unpacks the exact playbook for scaling to £10 m… then dec...
S1 Ep17: M&A Zing (Ep. 18) - Healthcare, Early Years & the Long Game: Nadim Kapadia on the Permanent Holdco
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Modern polymath Nadim Kapadia (Managing Partner & Founder of Aligned Partners HoldCo) has worn every hat: diplomat-turned-consultant, FTSE-100 adv...
S1 Ep17: M&A Zing (Ep. 17) – Partnered Search, Proven Playbook – Andrew Napier & Evani Mannur
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guests are Andrew Napier and Evani Mannur, founding partners of the brand-new UK search fund 22 Capital Partners. Andrew brings a deep finan...
S1 Ep16: M&A Zing (Ep. 16)– Kill Messy Books - Before They Kill Your Cash Flow: Tom Griffiths
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Running the company from the bank balance might feel quick, but it’s why 82 % of small firms die of “self-inflicted” cash-flow wounds. Former J...
S1 Ep15: M&A Zing (Ep. 15)– Debt Nightmares, SEIS Wins & The Barbell Economy with Sam Simpson
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Modern polymath Sam Simpson (CEO @ Founder Catalyst & Co-Founder @ Forge Technologies) has worn every hat: quantum physicist, £450 m buy-and-buil...
S1 Ep14: M&A Zing (Ep. 14)– From Bain to Botanical Walls: Sebastiaan Willen’s Self-Funded Buy-Out
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to *M&A Zing*, the weekly show for acquisition entrepreneurs, search funders and hold-co builders in the UK & Europe. Fresh back f...
S1 Ep13: M&A Zing (Ep. 12) – Searching the Gulf: Adam Giansiracusa on UAE’s Untapped SME Goldmine
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Episode 13 of M&A Zing - the weekly show for acquisition entrepreneurs, search-funders and hold-co builders in the UK, Europe *and beyo...
S1 Ep12: M&A Zing (Ep. 12) – From McKinsey to Machine Shops: Amit Rai’s Permanent-Capital Playbook
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Episode 12 of M&A Zing - the weekly show for acquisition entrepreneurs, search-funders, and hold-co builders across the UK & Europe...
S1 Ep11: M&A Zing (Ep. 11) – Buy-Side Breakdown: 3 Freehold Nurseries in North-West England
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to M&A Zing - the weekly show for acquisition entrepreneurs, search-funders, and hold-co builders across the UK & Europe. In this epis...
S1 Ep10: M&A Zing (Ep. 10) – The Exiteer Playbook: Rachel Murphy on 8× Exits, NHS‑App & “The Grafter”
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to M&A Zing - the weekly show for acquisition entrepreneurs, search funders, and hold‑co builders across the UK & Europe. 🎧 TH...
S1 Ep9: M&A Zing (Ep. 9) – Buy-Side Breakdown: An Online Tools Retailer
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to **M&A Zing**—the weekly show for acquisition entrepreneurs, search funders, and holdco builders across the UK & Europe. In this e...
S1 Ep8: M&A Zing (Ep. 8) – From Apple to Acquisitions: A Conversation with Hamburg Ventures
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to another weekly recording of M&A Zing — the podcast for acquisition entrepreneurs, search funds, and holdco builders across the UK &am...
S1 Ep7: M&A Zing (Ep. 7) – Let's Talk Legals!
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to another weekly recording of M&A Zing - the podcast for acquisition entrepreneurs, search funds, and holdco builders across the UK &...
S1 Ep6: M&A Zing (Ep. 6) – Due Diligence Do’s & Don’ts
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Episode 6 of M&A Zing - a weekly show for acquisition entrepreneurs, search funds, and holdco builders across the UK and Europe. In thi...
S1 Ep5: M&A Zing (Ep. 5) – The Top 10 Deal Killers in SMB M&A
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Episode 5 of M&A Zing - a weekly show for acquisition entrepreneurs, search funds, and holdco builders across the UK and Europe. In thi...
S1 Ep4: M&A Zing (Ep. 4) – How to Nail Your First Call with a Seller
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Episode 4 of M&A Zing—a weekly show for acquisition entrepreneurs, search funds, and holdco builders in the UK and Europe. This time,...
S1 Ep3: M&A Zing (Ep. 3) – Buy, Build, and Broker: Lessons from Charlie Norton’s Journey
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Episode 3 of M&A Zing—a weekly show for acquisition entrepreneurs, search funds, and holdco builders in the UK and Europe. In this ep...
S1 Ep2: ETA and Search Funds in the USA vs Europe
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hosted by: Gareth Hawkins – CEO & Co-Founder at BizCrunch (exited founder, M&A investor) Alfie Lambert – Co-Founder & Head of Grow...
S1 Ep1: Funding Your SMB Acquisition: Debt and Equity Finance Trends
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hosted by: Gareth Hawkins – CEO & Co-Founder at BizCrunch (exited founder, M&A investor) Adam Kempner – Managing Director at Coefficie...