Chris Potts

Chris followed an unconventional route into finance, spending the first nine years of his working life as a Royal Marines Commando. During this time he developed the ability to lead diverse teams and manage projects encompassing multiple workstreams to successful conclusions, often in high-pressure environments.

After leaving the military he spent four years as part of PKF FC’s Corporate Services team marrying his existing skillsets to technical accountancy expertise, qualifying as an ACA Chartered Accountant and advancing from trainee to lead Senior for some of our most complex audit clients including international groups with up to £60m turnover.
Seeking a more commercial role where he could add truly significant value for our clients, he then joined our Corporate Finance team. He has since managed or advised on a wide variety of transactions in multiple sectors, recently including:

• sale of BV Dairy, manufacturer of specialist chilled dairy products, to cooperative First Milk;
• sale of DP Seals, manufacturer of precision mission- / safety-critical rubber components for the aviation, subsea and automotive sectors, to Stockholm-listed conglomerate Lagercrantz;
• complex financial modelling to support an equity raise by Callen-Lenz, developer and manufacturer of novel uncrewed aerial systems;
• sale of Halo ARC, a multi-site insurer-led vehicle accident repair chain, to German international group Intelligent Repair Solutions;
• debt-backed management buy-out of a leading sports construction business serving the elite-level professional sport market;
• acquisition of lettings agency Ascend Properties by Gatehouse Bank plc, including due diligence and buy-side advice.

Away from work, Chris spends his time on the golf course, competing in half and full Iron-distance triathlon events and trying to keep up with his young daughter Maggie.