Our Team
Deal Ascent is an M&A financial advisory firm for business owners. Our team combines elite investment banking and entrepreneurial experience to deliver a personal, hands-on approach for UK SMEs, with a culture built on integrity and discretion. We have advised on more than $50 billion of transactions and are committed to maximising the equity value our clients take home.
Leadership
Michel Besson
Managing Partner
Sector focus: energy, infrastructure, natural resources, chemicals, industrials, technology, consumer & retail
Deal Ascent's Managing Partner, Michel Besson, has led more than $30bn of M&A, equity and debt transactions, from multibillion-dollar deals to small-cap mandates, advising on complex deals that accelerate sector transformation. Prior to founding Deal Ascent, Michel was a senior investment banker at Barclays and Alexa Capital. Michel also founded Fine Cigars Club and, outside of work, spends time with his two children and travels across the globe to meet cigar and wine makers.
Education: Imperial College London.
Kiran Tailor
Director
Sector focus: TMT, energy, construction, engineering, manufacturing, software, healthcare & pharma
Kiran Tailor combines 15+ years of M&A experience with a blend of financial advisory and hands-on expertise within a private equity-backed corporate environment at Arqiva. Experienced in the full 'buy-build-exit' lifecycle, he has held senior roles at EY and top-tier boutiques, executing approximately 50 successful M&A transactions in the last four years. Beyond driving superior client outcomes, Kiran serves as treasurer for an animal welfare charity and is a dedicated father.
Education: City St George's University of London, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (Associate Chartered Management Accountant).
Oya Gunay
Director
Sector focus: digital media, proptech, marketplaces, e-commerce, IT services, supply chain & logistics
Oya Gunay is an investment banking and corporate development professional with over 15 years of experience scaling high-growth companies across the technology and digital media sectors. Previously at Deutsche Bank, she has led M&A transactions, as well as debt and equity fundraising initiatives, across the UK, Europe, and emerging markets. Oya also brings experience supporting companies through IPO processes. In corporate development, she has held senior roles including Director of Corporate Development at Electrify Video Partners, Senior Strategy Manager – M&A and Partnerships at Plentific, and M&A Investment Director at houzen.
Education: Columbia Business School, The George Washington University School of Business, Bogazici University.
Goran Siljanovski
Director
Sector focus: enterprise software, technology and telecommunications
goran.siljanovski@dealascent.com
Goran brings two decades of M&A and corporate finance experience, having deployed capital and advised on mid-market transactions across the UK and internationally, with a particular focus on enterprise software, technology and telecommunications. He started his career at Deutsche Telecom Group in Corporate Finance and went on to hold leadership positions with specialist financial advisory boutiques and as Head of Investments for Macedonia's Government Investment Authority in the UK and Ireland delivering outstanding outcomes for owner-managed businesses and private equity investors.
Education: London School of Economics, London Business School.
Who We Work For
The firm acts exclusively for sellers and companies raising capital, ensuring advice remains completely focused on the owner's objectives and free from conflicts. By leveraging deep expertise in navigating the perspectives of buyers, Deal Ascent expertly bridges the gap between parties to negotiate superior client outcomes for sellers. Typical clients are UK small and medium-sized businesses looking to sell, de-risk, or fund the next stage of growth, with Deal Ascent providing high-touch support from first conversation through to completion.
Sector Expertise Across Many Industries
Vast network of UK-based and international buyers and investors augmented by AI matching algorithm.
How We Work
Every mandate is led by senior investment bankers; AI is used as a co-pilot, not a replacement for judgement, to give clients the best of human insight.