The London M&A advisers behind Milestone Advisory

Miles Welch

Miles is the founder of Milestone Advisory, specialising in growth advisory, sell-side and buy-side M&A.

He spent over 20 years running and scaling digital marketing agencies, followed by 15 years advising founders and shareholders on growth and exit. This blend of operator and M&A experience gives Miles a practical understanding of how agencies grow, where value is created and what buyers and investors look for.

Milestone works with clients across the UK, Europe and the US, helping ambitious agencies grow and realise value.

Paul Kingsley

A strategic finance professional with more than 25 years' experience. Paul's sector specialisms include retail, tech, professional and marketing services, lifestyle, beauty, entertainment, and sports marketing. Known for an entrepreneurial mindset, USPs include growing and scaling businesses, driving value, exit planning, and digital transformation.

Recently, Paul was CFO of UNiDAYS, the world's largest student affinity network with over 29 million verified student members across 115 markets and a GMV more than $1bn, helping UNiDAYS successfully navigate through a growth stage. Previously, Paul supported the management team at Edge.network, a cloud-based web services infrastructure built on Blockchain technology, to secure the UK's largest initial coin offering (ICO), raising $30 million.

During his career, Paul has managed M&A transactions for leading companies including Coca-Cola & Schweppes, Diageo PLC, and Omnicom Group Inc.

An avid sports fan from Rugby to F1, collector of contemporary art and frequent traveller. When not spending time with family, Paul can usually be found in the gym or preferably outdoors cycling.

Angela Lurssen

Angela has worked in a number of roles across the creative sector as a pluralist: from client side, to agency side to M&A advisory, giving her a 360 view of the industry. What connects them all is a drive for growing businesses.

Angela spent the first part of her career, spanning nearly 14 years, at global M&A firm, Results International, specialising in growing, developing and realising the value of businesses. Thereafter, at corporate finance firm, Waypoint Partners. Her focus, for all her clients, is on growth via targeted global marketing, new business strategies and delivery. Her approach to new business is effective and delivers real results.

Outside of work, Angela has a penchant for adventure and the great outdoors; open water swimming, running and hiking are a few favourites.

Lisa Bright

For the past 17 years, Lisa has immersed herself in the advertising agency industry. Her expertise extends across traditional print and dynamic digital platforms, showcasing a distinct focus on the digital realm, highlighting her adaptability.

Her travels have broadened her horizons, allowing her to connect with clients from all corners of the globe. Lisa takes great pleasure in immersing herself in the digital sector, while also demonstrating a knack for nurturing client relationships, expertly managing her time, and executing projects with precision.

During her free time, Lisa spends it with her loved ones and enjoys outdoor activities to enhance her overall fitness.

Martin Adams

A Harvard Law School graduate, Martin practised as an Intellectual Property attorney in New York. In addition to driving growth and commercial results, Martin helps companies develop IP strategies that power investment, valuation and exit.

Named ‘Global Innovator for 2024’ by the World Economic Forum, and a Top 100 UK Entrepreneur (Maserati); Martin has founded, built and sold numerous ethical AI and creative businesses over the last 20 years. These include: Metaphysic.ai (Time Magazine 100 Most Influential Business), Codec.ai (acquired in 2023), and Union (acquired in 2011).

Having raised over £100m in capital across equity and debt; Martin is an innovation advisor to CEOs, governments, and public figures around the world.

Martin is a regular public speaker on the subject of growth and innovation for clients including the European Commission, Alan Turing Institute, Cannes Lions, SXSW, Fortune and MIT.

In his spare time Martin likes to immerses himself in nature and the deepest possible ambient music.

Vanessa Cartwright

As an Associate Partner at Milestone Advisory, Vanessa works with founders, leadership teams, and investors in digital businesses to drive growth and realise value, supporting them from early-stage scaling through to transaction and post-deal success.

With over 25 years' experience leading and building digital agencies, SaaS platforms, and technology consulting firms, Vanessa brings deep, hands-on operator experience. Having held roles including CEO, COO, President, and Managing Director across private, PE-backed, and public companies in North America and Europe, she has first-hand insight into the realities of growing businesses, navigating exits, and executing complex mergers and acquisitions.

Vanessa's career includes leadership roles at businesses such as Astound Digital, Fluid, and WPP agencies including Blast Radius and RMG Connect.

Rob Blencowe

Rob's background spans accounting, M&A, IT advisory and marketing. His passion is streamlining business operations and simplifying decision-making through the lens of finance, tax and growth planning.

Previous roles include associate director at Waypoint Partners and assistant manager at KPMG.

Rob is also currently an accountant and advisor at Blencowes Chartered Accountants; a family run business.

Rob is a member board of Trustees for Music Of Life (UK), a charity that provides individual musical tuition, performing opportunities and group workshops for children and young people with disabilities.

Bethan Vincent

Bethan is the founder of Open Velocity, a strategic marketing consultancy based in York. Formerly marketing director of a leading technology agency and a senior manager in the cloud computing industry, Bethan's career has been built at the intersection between marketing, product and development.