Buzzacott appoints new head of M&A

Buzzacott has recently announced the appointment of Meera Shah as head of M&A in the corporate finance team.

Shah joined Buzzacott in 2018 as the fifth hire in the corporate finance function, working across all areas of corporate finance. As part of the team’s growth and development, she has been pivotal in the team’s journey from a five-person general practice to an 18-person team with three dedicated arms and a distinct M&A offering. 

She specialises in advising owner-managed businesses on their full and partial exits to both trade and private equity buyers, with expertise in selling UK headquartered, global businesses to US buyers. She advises across various sectors, with greater focus on business services and tech and media. Notable deals she has led include the sale of employee engagement agency NKD to ITA Inc. and securing investment from Connection Capital for market research agency IFF Research.

In her time at Buzzacott, Shah has maintained her focus on supporting businesses with social purpose and female empowerment in the industry, including advising female-founded businesses on scaling and raising funding and collaborating on female founder events, recently hosting a private equity event.

Since 2021, she has been a board member of the ICAEW Corporate Finance Faculty and has also been listed in the Accountancy Age 35 under 35 rankings, which identifies stars in the sector. Being recognised for the results she has delivered for clients, she was also shortlisted for the Dealmaker of the Year award as part of the South East Insider Dealmakers Awards this year. 

As she looks to step up into her role as head of M&A, she is excited by the prospect of developing their area of specialism, maintaining the team’s strong network of lawyers and investors, as well as building a bigger team that will enable them to keep doing the work they enjoy and are great at – advising fantastic clients in their growth and exit journeys. 

On recruitment plans, Shah said: “I am particularly excited by our current recruitment plans, ensuring the culture of the team is at the forefront of the process as well as increasing our team’s capabilities and diversity with each new addition.” 

Regarding the promotion, Matt Katz, head of the corporate finance team at Buzzacott, said: “It has been incredibly rewarding to watch Meera grow and develop in our team, now moving to head up her own remit. I look forward to seeing her bring her expertise and passion to grow our M&A specialism.”