Oaklins: 2025 Highlights

Deal activity

2025 was another landmark year for Oaklins globally. Across Oaklins, over 400 deals were completed, representing a total transaction value of over US$50 billion. This performance reflects the strength of our global collaboration and our continued focus on delivering high-quality advice to entrepreneurs, corporates and investors worldwide.

Oaklins | Global stats

Oaklins S&W | UK

In the UK, Oaklins S&W built on this momentum, closing over 20 transactions in 2025 while continuing to scale the team with purpose.

These results only tell part of the story:

- 20+ closed deals, 10 of which directly involved private equity

- 13 promotions, including two to Partner

- 14 new joiners in 2025 and also welcomed a further 4 additional colleagues in January 2026 alone

- grown to over 50 colleagues

From London and Bristol to Birmingham, Cambridge and Newcastle, this growth has been driven by deliberate investment in people, services and regional reach.

The year also saw the launch of a dedicated Financial Services team and the continued build-out of our Debt Advisory practice. Investment has also been made in deepening sector expertise across Industrial Services, Infrastructure, Business Services and Consumer.

This growth was accelerated by Apax Partners’ backing in 2025, providing the investment to accelerate scaling the team, broaden our UK presence, and expand and strengthen our advisory services.

A selection of deals closed in 2025

My experience working with Oaklins has been nothing short of exceptional. From the very beginning, Oaklins demonstrated an outstanding depth of knowledge in selling businesses, and their expertise was evident at every stage of the process. What was initially a daunting and unfamiliar journey for me quickly became manageable with their guidance, support and clear communication. They took the time to explain every step, ensured I fully understood the implications of each decision and provided advice that was both practical and strategically insightful. I genuinely believe that without their involvement, support and leadership, this deal would not have been completed. Overall, I could not recommend their services more highly. Oaklins played the single most important role in securing our deal, and I would not hesitate to work with them again or recommend them to any prospective vendor looking for trusted, knowledgeable and dedicated advisors. Mick Doyle, Director, TEAM Safety Services Limited

From the outset, the Oaklins S&W team have been an invaluable asset; from leading on valuation negotiations and agreeing heads of terms to navigating us through the various challenges and pitfalls along the way, their obvious expertise shone through at every stage of the process. I chose to work with Oaklins S&W due to their significant experience within cybersecurity and this proved to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. Being from a technical and security background, this was a new world to me and there were numerous times when I was unsure of a certain point, and the advice we received was always clear, timely and pragmatic. Tom Heenan, Founder, Ruptura InfoSecurity Ltd.

From the outset of the process, Oaklins S&W demonstrated a combination of professionalism, clarity and calm confidence that gave our team the assurance we needed to navigate such a significant and unprecedented transaction for us. We have been very pleased with the outcome and with the way that the process was managed. Oaklins S&W’s expertise, judgment and support were central to maintaining unity within the home team and subsequently leading to a successful disposal. What could easily have become an overwhelming process was instead navigated with confidence, and we are thrilled to have reached a positive conclusion with the backing of Oaklins S&W. We would have no hesitation in recommending Oaklins S&W; their involvement is appreciated by all involved. Peter Hunt, Founder, Coverworld UK Limited

The Oaklins S&W team was great to work with throughout the entire deal process. They provided expert advice at all stages of the transaction and were always incredibly responsive, supportive and helpful. We are extremely grateful for all their help in negotiating and delivering this deal on our behalf and would highly recommend them to any cybersecurity entrepreneurs and founders who are looking to sell their business. Jason Johnson, Co-founder, Predatech Limited

We are extremely grateful to the Oaklins S&W team for their invaluable support in managing and delivering this complex transaction. With their clear expertise in the sector and the wider TICC landscape, their advice and support were first-class throughout. I cannot envisage going through this process without the team by my side at every step of the way and would highly recommend Oaklins to anyone looking to sell their business. Ian Hodge, Managing Director, CTSL Group