Interim Head of M&A (transaction lead)

We are working with a founder-owned, boutique media agency (based London) that is preparing for a sale to private equity and is seeking an experienced M&A professional to lead the transaction end to end. The client is looking for a senior individual with in‑house M&A or corporate development experience, ideally gained within the media, marketing, or adjacent services sectors. This person will take ownership of the sale process, working closely with the Founder/Owner and Finance Director, and will be responsible for shaping and executing the transaction from preparation through to completion. Key responsibilities include: Leading the full private equity sale process end to end Preparing the business for sale (equity story, materials, positioning) Managing advisers and third parties (corporate finance, legal, tax, etc.) Acting as the central point of coordination between the owner, FD, and PE bidders Supporting negotiations, diligence, and completion Ideal background: Proven experience in in‑house M&A, corporate development, or transaction leadership Strong understanding of private equity processes Media, marketing services, or related sector experience strongly preferred Commercial, hands-on, and comfortable operating in a lean, owner-managed environment This is a highly visible role with significant influence over the outcome of the transaction, and a rare opportunity to lead a PE sale in a growing, entrepreneurial business. At Gleeson Recruitment Group, we embrace inclusivity and welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. We are proud to be a disability confident employer. By applying you will be registered as a candidate with Gleeson Recruitment Limited. Our Privacy Policy is available on our website and explains how we will use your data