We specialise in consultancy and the merger and acquisitions of accounting firms, legal practices and financial service businesses. We were one of the first firms to enter this specialised area 30 years ago and have instigated and brought to fruition over 1000 sales, mergers and acquisitions throughout the United Kingdom and Europe.
More recently, we have opened an office in Asia to service increasing numbers of enquiries from our clients.
We are committed to offering a high quality and personal level of service to our clients, designing bespoke solutions in a creative and flexible way.
Everything we do is dedicated to delivering the right solution on a customised basis for our clients, and this is why we are recognised and a respected name within the industry.
Meet the team
Keith Underwood, FCA, Director.
Keith qualified in 1969 with a City firm and worked with Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co in London before taking up senior strategic planning, financial/business development and Managing Director positions in the UK and Asia. Keith has been a non-executive Director of a public company, ran an international company with over 700 staff operating in ten countries and sat on the Board of a number of International network groups in the service sector. His experience includes instigating and managing many mergers and acquisitions in the professional sector and implementing changes in business models in the consumer and professional service sectors to improve market positioning and profitability.
Derek G Smith, BA, FCA, FIMC, Senior Consultant.
Formerly the managing partner of Mazars Neville Russell, Derek has considerable experience in dealing with professional service businesses. Derek has hands on practice management experience and is recognised as an able implementor of change. He acts as a non executive with a number of practices, and leads the FUAL mentoring and senior level training programme.
Tim Underwood, BA (Hons), Director.
Tim has been involved with FUAL since 2000. He has been core to the company’s expansion into the wealth management, trust and financial service market places; where FUAL have been able to offer their consulting, training, and lead advisory services in M&A. These ‘new’ sectors have developed through Tim’s network of contacts both nationally and globally, to become a central feature of FUAL’s business today. Currently heading up Foulger Underwood Pte Ltd in Singapore, Tim remains focussed on the provision of M&A, strategic consultancy and training services to professional service firms in Asia
Julia Whistler, Marketing Coordinator.
Julia joined FUAL in 2010 to manage all UK and European marketing. With a background in recruitment across several sectors, she brings a wealth of experience of managing marketing and advertising campaigns both internally and through third parties. She also heads our research department, organising outbound investigative campaigns on behalf of our retained clients.
Jackie Hyland, Customer Relationship Coordinator.
Jackie joined FUAL in 2001 and is primarily responsible for our relationships with clients. Amongst many other things she profiles opportunities, coordinates client meetings, manages the assignments progress and monitors post meeting feedback. She also manages and maintains a high quality flow of administration across the business and ensures confidentiality is maintained throughout the process of bringing parties together.