By: Shawn Mars
A private family office has appointed 5DCP, a global buy-side M&A advisory firm, to identify and acquire established, profitable businesses across Essex and London. The mandate launched last month, and confidential calls with interested owners are already filling up. For founders in the region who have considered selling but never found the right buyer, the search offers a direct and discreet route to the conversation.
A Buyer Focused on Essex and London
The buyer behind the mandate is a private family office with a substantial existing portfolio. Its holdings span construction, property, financial services, healthcare, transport, education, and the creative industries. The office is sector-agnostic, though its attention right now leans toward construction businesses, from contractors and specialist trades to building services firms. Its identity stays confidential until a non-disclosure agreement is in place, a step that protects both sides during early discussions.
What the Family Office Looks For
The family office buys 100 percent of the companies it acquires, and it holds them for the long term. This is not a fund chasing a quick resale or a break-up of the parts. Steady, well-run businesses with capable teams sit at the heart of what it wants.
Many founders spend decades building a company, and when they consider selling, they worry about what will happen to their people and their name afterward. The buyer treats that worry as central rather than incidental. Its stated priorities include preserving the founder’s legacy and keeping the existing team in place after a sale.
“Our client is looking for an established, profitable business that they can acquire and hold for the long term. Our role is to help them in that search. They lead with relationships rather than spreadsheets, and for founders who have spent decades building something, that changes the whole conversation,” said Chris Travis, Acquisitions Director at 5DCP.
How 5DCP Supports the Search
5DCP works on the buy-side of mergers and acquisitions, representing clients across the UK, the USA, and the UAE. The firm has completed more than 200 transactions totalling over $20 billion in value, and its team includes professionals who have worked at KPMG and Deloitte, as well as in regulatory leadership roles. That mix of deal experience and technical depth shapes how it approaches each mandate.
On behalf of its clients, the firm supports every stage of an acquisition. Its work runs from sourcing targets and making initial approaches to negotiation and due diligence, through to completion. Chris Travis leads the current Essex and London mandate as Acquisitions Director, serving as the first point of contact for owners seeking more information.
Booking a Confidential Call
“Our client is looking for an established, profitable business that they can acquire and hold for the long term. Our role is to help them in that search. They lead with relationships rather than spreadsheets, and for founders who have spent decades building something, that changes the whole conversation,” said Chris Travis, Acquisitions Director at 5DCP.
Business owners in Essex and London who are weighing a sale can arrange a confidential conversation with 5DCP. An initial call carries no obligation, and nothing about the buyer or the owner’s business is disclosed without an agreement in place. Because the search is active and moving quickly, the number of available call slots is limited. Owners who want to explore the opportunity can book a confidential call with 5DCP to get started.
5DCP also acts for entrepreneurs and investors making acquisitions of their own. Those who want experienced buy-side support for their acquisition journey, from sourcing targets to closing the deal, can start that conversation with the 5DCP team.
