James Buckhalter

A Director at Sovereign, I joined the team in 2019 to focus on opportunities in the financial and professional services sector, following five years of strategy consulting with Monitor Deloitte, working with large banks, insurers, and law firms.

I worked in a small family publishing company for many years prior to Deloitte, and 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 Affinia and ongoing work in the accountancy space. I have also been deeply involved in all of our work in the IFA sector with Shackleton and its many bolt-ons, 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, and am working with the Summit team to build on their excellent progress in expanding their global footprint and diversifying their client base within trust and corporate services.

A long time ago I pursued an interest in analytic philosophy to a PhD from Durham, and occasionally I return to the department to bore unfortunate students and faculty with a tedious lecture on Wittgenstein. 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.