Meera Shah

Head of M&A Advisory, Buzzacott

Meera joined Buzzacott in 2018 and specialises in advising institutional and founder shareholders through exits, whether to private equity or large corporates. Meera brings deep expertise in cross-border transactions and deals involving IP-rich consulting companies. She is passionate about supporting female-led businesses and continues to undertake broader work to help level the playing field within the industry.

Meera has been a board member of the ICAEW Corporate Finance Faculty since 2021 and has also been listed in the Accountancy Age 35 under 35 rankings, which identifies stars in the sector. In recognition of the outstanding results she delivers for clients, Meera was shortlisted for the Dealmaker of the Year award as part of the Insider Southeast Dealmakers Awards 2023.

Before joining Buzzacott, Meera was in the Valuations team at Smith & Williamson, focusing on investment and tax-driven valuations.

Why do you support the work of The Entrepreneurs Network?

I really admire The Entrepreneurs Network’s work, particularly its strong political and policy focus which sets it apart from other broader entrepreneur groups. Since becoming a board member of the ICAEW’s Corporate Finance Faculty, I understand how important it is for industry groups to lobby for potential changes that align with and protect the best interests of their sector. I have seen this in recent years with the introduction of the National Securities and Investment Act, and the impact this had on businesses looking to transact. I believe The Entrepreneurs Network’s wider remit is crucial to nurturing a founder-friendly environment in which to build and grow a business in the UK.

Why is the UK an attractive place to grow a business?

The UK is a dynamic place for growing a business: It has retained some traditional sector routes but also demonstrates the agility to innovate, for example with the rise of a tech community in London’s Kings Cross, and the growth of Life Sciences in Cambridge. Communities such as The Entrepreneurs Network bring together deep expertise – from advisors to former entrepreneurs – alongside a plethora of established and newly emerging pools of capital to provide investment for future growth.