James Buckhalter

An Investment Director at Sovereign, I joined the team in 2019 to focus on opportunities in the financial services sector. I arrived following five fantastic years of strategy consulting with Monitor Deloitte, where I worked across industries and disciplines but with a strong focus in innovation and growth hacking for financial services firms.

Having worked in a small family publishing company for many years, when the time came to sell the business in 2017 I was heavily involved in the sale process. During this time I was introduced to the dynamics of both trade and private equity bidders, which I found fascinating. Having experienced the challenges, and eventual joys, of selling a family business from one side of the desk, joining Sovereign presented the perfect opportunity to continue that work from the other angle.

In my time at Sovereign I've played a lead role in our investment in LB Group and ongoing work in the accountancy space. I am also involved in our work with Skerritts, the successful IFA business, helping to deliver transformational growth through both investment in technology and carefully selected acquisitions. In addition, I am supporting Murgitroyd, one of the largest IP practices in Europe, as it continues its international expansion. It's a real pleasure to work closely with such talented and focused management teams and support their ambitions to develop and grow their businesses with Sovereign's partnership.

A long time ago I was a philosophy student and pursued that interest to a PhD from Durham – I still harbour hopes of returning to the lecture hall one day. I have, in the past, been a keen surfer, racket sports player and guitarist, but today I'm gladly sacrificing some devotion to those hobbies in favour of spending time with my wife and two young children.