Conviction in a more selective market
Investors are testing assumptions harder before committing capital, particularly where valuation expectations, financing structure or execution risk don't line up.
Mergermarket M&A Forum UK 2026
Continue the
conversation
from the forum.
Steve Denby attended the forum, where the discussion kept returning to a tougher UK deal environment — tighter financing, firmer valuation discipline, AI disruption, carve-out complexity, and the evidence now needed to support a credible exit.
AssetMax works with investors, portfolio leaders and M&A teams navigating that environment, turning fragmented signals into decision-grade intelligence.
About the call
A relationship-led conversation.
Not a sales presentation.
The purpose is straightforward: to compare notes with someone operating in the same market. You may be weighing an acquisition, a portfolio company, a carve-out, AI readiness, or exit preparation — or simply working out how deal conviction is shifting right now.
Steve brings AssetMax's view from across the investment lifecycle: pre-deal intelligence, diligence evidence, value creation tracking, technology assessment and buyer-ready exit preparation.
The conversation is meant to be specific and senior. No generic pitch. No long qualification process. Just a focused discussion on where sharper evidence might change an investment decision.
Themes Steve is currently discussing
01
02
Carve-outs and separation risk
Carve-outs can be attractive, but only when the operational, technology, people and reporting implications are understood early — otherwise value leaks out before completion.
03
AI as an investment issue
AI is changing diligence beyond productivity claims: business-model resilience, margin structure, customer expectations, competitive dynamics, exit risk.
04
Value creation evidence
Moving portfolio teams from broad value creation ambition to measurable progress that management, boards and buyers can actually trust.
05
Exit readiness and buyer confidence
Stronger exits are built on proof — clean data, credible performance evidence, management readiness, scalability signals, a defensible equity story.
Who this is for
Private equity investors and operating partners
Portfolio CEOs, CFOs and value creation leaders
Family offices and direct investors
Corporate development and M&A teams
Advisers working with buyers, sellers or management teams
If one of these themes stuck with you after the forum, this is a chance to take it further with someone turning it into practical investment intelligence.
Schedule a conversation with SteveChoose a time that works for you.
The call runs 20 minutes. When you book, you'll be asked a few short questions so Steve can look over your note beforehand and come in focused from the first minute.
This is meant as a relationship-building conversation following the forum, not a sales call.
If there's a clear reason to keep talking, Steve will suggest a follow-up. If not, the conversation should still be worth your time.