Daniel
Lightbody

WHO I HELP

Owner-managed businesses. Family-owned businesses. Private equity investors. Large corporates.

HOW I HELP

Financial due diligence. M&A advisory. Business valuations. Commercial analysis. Project management. Deal support. Transaction advice.

SECTORS/SUPPORT

Health & Social Care. Manufacturing. Food & Drink.

“PROVIDING COMMERCIAL INSIGHTS THAT CREATE VALUE FOR CLIENTS & SUPPORT THEM IN ACHIEVING THEIR GOALS”

Based in our Glasgow office, Daniel Lightbody is a Corporate Finance Assistant Manager who works across a varied portfolio of transactions, supporting clients through acquisitions, disposals, valuations and financial due diligence projects. His role involves balancing multiple assignments, progressing each project carefully and ensuring clients receive clear, commercially focused advice at every stage of the process.

With a background spanning audit, accounts and corporate finance, Daniel brings a broad and well-rounded perspective to every engagement. After studying Accountancy & Finance at the University of Glasgow, he began his professional career in audit while qualifying with ICAS. After qualifying, he was ready for a new challenge and moved into corporate finance, drawn by the opportunity to work in a more commercially focused environment where financial analysis directly supports strategic decisions. Today, much of his work centres on financial due diligence, particularly across health and social care, alongside manufacturing and other growth sectors.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH COMMUNICATION

“For me, building strong client relationships comes down to communication. Keeping clients regularly updated on progress helps everyone stay aligned and gives them confidence that things are moving forward. It also means being responsive when questions come up, because often the smallest clarification at the right time can make a big difference to the overall process.”

TURNING TRANSACTIONS INTO LONG-TERM TRUST

“One relationship that stands out involved supporting a client with financial diligence work on the purchase of a portfolio of business property. Following that assignment, they came back to us again when they needed support with the disposal of one of them. That second engagement showed the trust that had been built.”

DELIVERING INSIGHT THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

“What I find most satisfying about working with clients is delivering insight that genuinely creates value for them. Whether that’s helping shape a deal, identifying risks, or highlighting opportunities, the best outcomes come when analysis leads directly to better decisions.

My experience across audit, accounts and corporate finance means I approach work with a wider lens than purely transactional analysis. Understanding how businesses operate behind the numbers helps me focus not only on technical outputs, but on what matters commercially to each client.”

CREATING REAL VALUE FOR CLIENTS

“One of the most rewarding pieces of feedback I’ve received from a client was hearing how valuable our input had been to the outcome of the transaction and the confidence it gave them throughout the process. That kind of result is hugely rewarding because it shows the real impact that careful analysis and good advice can have.”

TAKING ON THE HARDER CHALLENGE

“A lesson I’ve learned in my career is not to get too comfortable. More often than not, the harder decision is the right one. Moving from audit into corporate finance felt daunting at first because it meant stepping into something unfamiliar, but it was definitely the right move professionally. Taking on that challenge pushed me to develop new skills and broaden how I think.

That mindset continues to shape how I approach new assignments and opportunities. Whether supporting acquisitions, valuations or due diligence exercises, I value work that stretches thinking and adds practical value for clients.”

DETAIL, DRIVE & TECHNICAL STRENGTH

“I’d say one of my key strengths is combining a strong work ethic with attention to detail and technical knowledge. In corporate finance, clients rely on high-quality analysis, so the detail must be right while also keeping sight of the wider commercial picture.

That balance of technical rigour and commercial awareness is central to my role, particularly when working across complex transactions where clients need confidence in both the numbers and the advice behind them.”

LOOKING AHEAD

“I’m keen to keep growing my network and developing further through business development. Building relationships across the market is an important part of long-term success in corporate finance, and it’s something I’m looking forward to developing further as my role continues to grow.”