BDO expands Midlands team with M&A hire

Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP has bolstered its M&A team with the appointment of Ben Dawson as Director.

As a qualified chartered accountant, Ben joins from Ideagen - a fast-growing, PE-backed, global software business, where he had responsibility for leading its M&A growth strategy. Ben has 16 years’ experience working in the Midlands corporate finance market in a variety of roles, including at KPMG, Natwest, and Foresight Group, where he led and managed several investments in regional SMEs.

Roger Buckley, Corporate Finance Partner at BDO in the Midlands, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Ben to the team – someone who has vast experience and a depth of understanding of the Midlands corporate finance market that adds real strength to our proposition.

“As the UK braces itself for the biggest downturn of any advanced economy, regional businesses will be looking at alternative ways to secure financial stability and diversify their offering. The role of M&A will be important, as investor cash continues to follow fast-growth and scalable businesses, with a strong ambition and clear strategic intention.”

According to BDO's recent Rethinking the Economy survey, nearly a third of Midlands businesses intend to take on additional private equity funding and growth capital in the next 18 months. In the last three to six months, 64 per cent of regional businesses have changed their approach to raising finance, with 14 per cent seeking funding earlier than planned to support growth strategies.

Ben said: “The East Midlands is a vibrant and diversified regional economy, with strong long-term growth prospects, but remains somewhat underserved in terms of M&A advisory services. BDO is a strong, forward-thinking brand, with a full-service offering, deep sector insight, and a global reach that positions it perfectly for this market, creating a highly exciting opportunity.

“I look forward to leveraging the breadth of my experience, including the insight gleaned from seeing transactions through the lens of funder, investor and strategic acquirer, to deliver great outcomes for businesses in the East Midlands and beyond.”