Phil Williams

Managing Director

Phil is a leading name in corporate finance in the North East, with more than 17 years of specialist experience in the field, and over 20 years as a qualified accountant. 

During his career, Phil has worked within both practice and industry in a number of senior roles, including several years as in-house head of corporate finance at Hargreaves Services plc and as finance director of a fast growing energy business. He has been involved in a number of major deals on a regional and national basis and is highly respected for his work.  

Phil, who was named as North East Young Dealmaker of the Year in 2011, has widespread experience of acting on a full range of corporate finance matters and is able to handle the most complex of transactions. 

Abu Ali

Managing Director

A chartered accountant, Abu had a decade of successful lead-advisory experience before co-founding WilliamsAli Corporate Finance in early 2019. He has significant experience of advising on company sales, management buyouts and fundraising, including several high-profile deals.  

Abu was named as the North East’s Emerging Dealmaker of the Year in 2018, in recognition of his work and commitment to client service.  

Abu is a passionate supporter of the North East business community and has become a key figure in expanding and developing the region’s networks of investors, entrepreneurs and advisers. 

Mo Miah

Corporate Finance Associate Director

Mo has 10 years experience as a qualified accountant, with 5 years specialising in corporate finance. He qualified with Grant Thornton, within Corporate Tax before moving into Corporate Finance.

He has extensive experience advising on company sales, private equity transactions and fundraising.

His recent deal experience includes the investment by Foresight Private Equity into Quanta EPC and the sale of Mathewson Underfloor Heating to Eneraqua Technologies Plc.

Mo also has hands on cash flow management experience having worked in the treasury team at Hargreaves Services plc.

Lucy Elliott

Associate Director

Lucy is a Chartered Accountant and qualified Corporate Financier, with over 15 years experience in lead advisory.

Lucy has significant M&A experience and provides advice to clients across a broad range of sectors- with a focus on manufacturing, construction, education and IT services.

Lucy’s specialism is in company disposals and she has advised on many cross-border transactions across a range of sectors.

Key deals that Lucy has been involved with include the disposal of Northumbrian Roads Limited to Aggregate Industries, the disposal of HTL Group to US based Enerpac Tool Group and the disposal of Lord Tool Hire to ONE Stop Hire.

Tristan Woolcock

Executive

Tristan has significant lead advisory and deal execution experience from his background in an M&A role based in Oxford, advising owner-managers on business sales and private equity buy-outs.  He has advised on a multitude of transactions across a diverse range of sectors including Construction, Facilities Management, IT and E-Commerce.  Tristan is passionate about achieving the best outcome for his clients and providing exceptional levels of service.

Tristan was a key part of the deal team that delivered a successful transaction for Tyne Tees Vehicle Repair Group in November 2021.

Niall Choat

Executive

Niall’s financial background in both practice and industry roles contributes a broad range of experience to the team.  He has acquired over 8 years of varied accounting and financial analysis experience, including spells in Deloitte and RSM, followed by an in-house position within a fast growing IT services business.  During his career to date, Niall has worked in a variety of sectors, including real estate, fintech, retail and leisure.

Niall has developed particular expertise in the specialist area of business valuations in a variety of scenarios, including exit planning, employee share schemes, and equity investment rounds.

Maxine Fox

Head of Business Operations

Maxine has over 20 years experience delivering grant support to businesses on behalf of both the public and private sector. As part of this she has advised on, and appraised,  applications and claims for funding for businesses of a variety of sizes and sectors.

In previous roles she has also been part of marketing teams delivering events and managing partnerships.