Agency Acquisitions · Direct buyer
We acquire UK
SEO & PPC agencies.
Coaley Peak® Ltd is looking to acquire SEO, PPC, and digital marketing agencies based in the UK. If you are considering a sale, we are happy to have an initial conversation.
What We Look For
We're not looking for the perfect agency. We're looking for the right one. Here's a rough picture of what fits.
UK-Based Digital Marketing Agencies
SEO, PPC (Google Ads, Microsoft Ads), paid social, or broader performance marketing agencies. Pure SEO or integrated are both fine. We're not looking at PR, branding, or traditional advertising.
Revenue £100k – £5m+
We're open to agencies from around £100k annual revenue upwards, with no hard upper limit. Recurring or retained revenue is strongly preferred over project-based, and we're as interested in trajectory as we are in current size.
A Team That Runs the Business
We prefer agencies where the delivery doesn't rely entirely on the owner. If you have a small but capable team handling the day-to-day, that's ideal. Solo operators are a harder conversation, but not impossible.
Clean Client Contracts & Sensible Margins
Decent client retention, nothing unusual in the contracts, and margins that reflect a properly run agency rather than a lifestyle business. We'll work through the detail in due diligence, but honesty upfront saves everyone's time.
Owners Considering an Exit
Full exits preferred, but we're open to partial acquisitions or phased deals where the founder stays on for a period. If you're burning out, approaching retirement, want to move on to something new, or simply want to realise the value you've built: we should talk.
UK-Based or Primarily UK Clients
We're focused on agencies with a UK-centric client base. Agencies that serve some international clients are fine, but we're not currently looking at agencies operating primarily outside the UK.
How We Approach It
No brokers
We buy direct. There is no intermediary involved on our side. You deal with us directly throughout.
Confidentiality
We treat all conversations as confidential and will not contact your staff, clients, or suppliers without your explicit consent at each stage.
Flexible deal structures
Deals typically include an earn-out element alongside an upfront payment. We will discuss what structure is appropriate given the specifics of the business.
One point of contact
You will deal with one person on our side throughout the process.
The Process
A broad outline of how a typical acquisition progresses.
Initial Conversation
You reach out by email with a brief outline of your agency: size, services, and what you're thinking about. Strictly confidential. No NDA required at this stage, but we'll sign one if you prefer before going further.
High-Level Review
A quick call, and if things look promising, we'll ask for a summary of your revenue, client base, and team structure. Nothing complicated: we're assessing fit, not drilling into contracts at this point.
Indicative Offer
If we want to proceed, we'll make an indicative offer or share heads of terms quickly. We'll be transparent about our valuation methodology so there are no surprises.
Due Diligence & Completion
Focused due diligence on the key numbers, client contracts, and team. We aim to keep this proportionate and avoid burying you in requests. Completion on agreed terms. We use solicitors who know this space.
Common Questions
Do I need a broker to sell my agency?
No, though we would always recommend you take independent legal advice before signing anything regardless of how you have found a buyer.
What about my team?
Continuity of the team is important to us. We're not buying an agency to gut it. In most cases we want the team to stay on, and we'll be transparent with staff at an appropriate stage in the process, typically after heads of terms are signed.
Can I stay on after the sale?
Yes. We're open to a transition period or an ongoing consultancy arrangement if that suits you. Some founders want a clean break; others want to stay involved. We'll work around what makes sense for the business.
How do you value an agency?
Typically a multiple of EBITDA or recurring revenue, adjusted for factors like client concentration, contract length, team dependency on the founder, growth trajectory, and churn rates. We'll be straight with you about the numbers and how we get there.
How long does the process take?
From first conversation to completion, typically 6–16 weeks depending on the complexity of the deal and how quickly both sides can move. We won't artificially drag our feet. If we want to buy, we'll say so and move.
What if I'm not ready to sell yet?
That's fine. We're happy to have an early conversation, understand where you are, and stay in touch. There's no pressure to do anything on our timeline. It's your business.
Get in Touch
If you are considering a sale and would like to have an initial conversation, please email us. All enquiries are treated as confidential.
Email acquisition@coaleypeak.co.uk Or write to us at: acquisition@coaleypeak.co.ukImportant Legal Information & Disclaimers
This page is marketing material only. Nothing on this page constitutes a formal offer, a binding commitment, or an invitation to treat in a legal sense. All discussions, expressions of interest, indicative valuations, and heads of terms are exploratory and non-binding unless and until expressly incorporated into a duly executed written agreement signed by authorised representatives of both parties.
- No obligation to proceed. Coaley Peak® Ltd (trading as Acquisition.co.uk) is under no obligation at any stage to make an offer, to continue discussions, to enter into negotiations, or to proceed to completion. We reserve the absolute right to withdraw from any discussion at any time and for any reason, without liability to any party.
- Subject to contract. No agreement, understanding, or arrangement between the parties shall be legally binding until it is set out in a formal written contract that has been signed by duly authorised representatives of both parties. The phrase "subject to contract" applies to all discussions, correspondence, heads of terms, term sheets, letters of intent, and indicative offers unless explicitly stated otherwise in a signed written document.
- Indicative valuations are non-binding. Any valuation, indicative offer, or price range communicated by Acquisition.co.uk or Coaley Peak® Ltd, whether in writing, by email, verbally, or by any other means, is indicative only. It is not a formal offer, does not create any binding obligation, and may be withdrawn or revised at any time without notice, including following due diligence.
- Independent professional advice. Any person or entity considering selling a business to Acquisition.co.uk or Coaley Peak® Ltd is strongly advised to take independent legal advice from a qualified solicitor experienced in business acquisitions and disposals, independent financial advice from a qualified financial adviser, and independent tax advice from a qualified accountant or tax adviser before entering into any agreement or sharing confidential information. Acquisition.co.uk does not provide legal, financial, or tax advice.
- Not a regulated activity. Acquisition.co.uk and Coaley Peak® Ltd are not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This page does not constitute a financial promotion regulated under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The acquisition of private companies is not, in itself, a regulated activity for these purposes; however, parties should satisfy themselves as to any applicable regulatory requirements in their own circumstances.
- Confidentiality. We will use reasonable endeavours to treat information shared with us during discussions as confidential and will not disclose it to third parties without consent, except where required by law or where the information is already in the public domain. However, absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Where confidentiality is material, parties should request a mutual non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before sharing sensitive information. The existence of discussions between the parties shall itself be treated as confidential.
- Information shared at sender's risk. Any information, documents, financial data, or other materials shared with Acquisition.co.uk or Coaley Peak® Ltd in connection with a potential acquisition are shared at the sender's own risk. We will treat such information with reasonable care, but we accept no liability for any loss, damage, or consequences arising from the sharing, receipt, storage, or use of such information during the exploratory phase prior to a formal NDA being in place.
- Due diligence reservation. Any agreement to proceed is conditional upon satisfactory completion of due diligence. Acquisition.co.uk and Coaley Peak® Ltd reserve the right to renegotiate or withdraw from any indicative offer or heads of terms based on the findings of due diligence, without liability to the selling party.
- No exclusivity. Unless expressly agreed in a signed exclusivity agreement, Acquisition.co.uk and Coaley Peak® Ltd are not bound to deal exclusively with any party and may pursue discussions with other potential acquisition targets concurrently. Similarly, the potential seller is not bound to exclusivity unless expressly agreed in writing.
- No partnership or agency. Nothing in any discussions or correspondence between the parties creates a partnership, joint venture, agency, employment, or other formal relationship. Neither party has authority to bind the other.
- Limitation of liability. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Coaley Peak® Ltd and its directors, officers, employees, and agents shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, consequential, or incidental losses, costs, damages, or expenses arising out of or in connection with discussions, negotiations, or any reliance on information contained on this page or communicated during the acquisition process, including but not limited to loss of business, loss of revenue, loss of profit, or wasted management time.
- Accuracy of information. Whilst we make reasonable efforts to ensure the information on this page is accurate, we make no representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or fitness for any particular purpose of any content on this page. The content may be updated or withdrawn at any time without notice.
- Governing law. Any dispute arising in connection with discussions or any agreement entered into pursuant to them shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
Coaley Peak® Ltd is registered in England and Wales. Registered office: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. For general legal enquiries, contact acquisition@coaleypeak.co.uk.