
Jonathan has over 25 years’ experience in mergers and acquisitions and over 18 years during this time specialising in business sales at finnCap Cavendish, where he is Partner and global head of Oaklins Consumer Group. Jonathan focuses on branded businesses in the retail, consumer goods, food, leisure and luxury sectors. He also has particular expertise in advising main market and AIM listed companies.
He has advised on a wide range of transactions, from multi-billion pound government projects to small fundraisings for family businesses. Jonathan was previously employed by PwC’s consulting division and the M&A departments of Hambros Bank and Societe Generale.
Jonathan is a graduate of Oxford University and a Chartered Accountant.
Sector expertise
- Brands
- Consumer & Retail
The team at Cavendish demonstrated their international reach and their tenacity to stick with the deal until it closed. They found the ideal owner… We are very excited at the new opportunities that we can now develop.
Cavendish provided excellent support in helping take our business to the next stage. By bringing in a private investor with international experience, we are well positioned to execute our growth plan.
Cavendish did an excellent job in managing the fundraising process. Not only did they quickly identify and approach suitable investors, the fundraising transaction was completed to a strict time scale and in a difficult market. Their ongoing advice and support has also been invaluable to the business as we move forward.
Does exactly what it says on the tin… You should choose your advisors very carefully, based on personality (could I work with them) and importantly their past performance. The best testimonial I could ever give to Jonathan at Cavendish is that I had the best team to support and advise me and my management team and I would definitely use them again! If you choose to work with them you really won’t be disappointed – but hurry though, they are seriously good, so don’t miss out, call them today!
This is a great outcome for both the shareholders and the ongoing management team. The closer we have got to Vestey the more we have seen how they share the same values as Donald Russell, which bodes well for the future. It was very impressive to see how Cavendish handled the auction process and used their international network to talk directly with purchasers around the world. You stayed with us every step of the way and made sure that the sale moved ahead despite all the obstacles, so thank you!
During the lengthy negotiations with Schneider Electric, we received the full attention of Cavendish’s experienced and dedicated deal team. They helped us navigate through a process that was new to us but familiar to Schneider and remained focussed on the commercial terms of the transaction throughout. Working with Cavendish, we have secured a terrific deal for shareholders and one which will be transformational for the business.” John Joseph, Chairman and founder, GET Group Plc.
At this critical stage in the business it has been important that we make all of the right decisions along the way and appointing Cavendish was one of these key decisions. We have worked with very professional and motivated individuals in Jonathan and Duncan on various stages of the process. We look forward to working with the Cavendish team again as our business develops toward our ultimate goals.
We have greatly enjoyed working with Cavendish over the past few years. As a family owned business, we definitely needed good advice and we felt very well supported by the team at Cavendish. I never imagined we would end up with an Estonian buyer but it is clear that there is an excellent fit with PR Foods, which will be good for the business, our customers and suppliers and for Chris and Vicky who remain as shareholders.
We had tremendous support from the Cavendish team throughout the sale process. I believe we have been very well advised and that their perspectives and experience at the inevitably tricky moments were enormously valuable.
Over the years we have had numerous suitors, but the wise guidance of Jonathan and Howard at Cavendish, surely the most astute of advisors for the selling of luxury businesses, has always been there to help us determine the most fitting acquirers. Their understanding of my belief, that to own New &Lingwood, is only a temporary curatorship of this unique company, and their appreciation of the psychological pride of this curatorship, puts Cavendish in a class of its own. This requires a special brand of understanding, rarely found today in the relationship between a seller and his advisor. What we have NOT sold, and which has no price that can be quantified, is the deep and far-reaching friendships that I have gained through my association with Howard and Jonathan.
It was a great pleasure to be working with Cavendish again, following the Aurum sale process. The Cavendish team worked hard and were very committed to achieving the best result for the shareholders and then closing the deal. I am delighted to be partnering with Freshstream, who are the ideal partner to take Radley onto the next chapter.
I am entirely confident that Raleigh has found the ideal buyer to support the employees, customers, suppliers and the future growth of the business.
We were delighted with the personal service offered by the team at Cavendish. The process was managed professionally and we were confident that the team understood the intimacies of a private sale including the need to maintain competitive tension throughout the process and the need to maintain confidentiality.
The Exit Review process managed by Caroline Belcher was very good at defining what were the priorities to exit and galvanising the management team into making the necessary changes. Without this intervention, we would not have been able to attract such interest in the market place nor have been able to achieve this price.
Cavendish demonstrated a very good knowledge of luxury brands which, along with their private equity expertise, enabled them to find the perfect partner for Scott Dunn. The proof is in the result though. The deal terms achieved and transaction timing fully met my expectations. I would gladly recommend them to other business owners.
It has been a great pleasure working with you. I could not have done that final push of the journey I embarked upon 20 years ago without you. You really did wonderful work for me, especially in that last mile. I am so grateful.
I’d like to warmly congratulate Jonathan Buxton, Michael Jewell and the team at Cavendish on the successful sale of Tristar Worldwide Ltd to the Addison Lee Group. I’d like to place on record our gratitude for their international reach, sound advice, good humour and professional service which was greatly appreciated by all parties. It was a real pleasure to work with them on this complex international assignment steering us through the severe turbulence in the economy and politics at the present time. Here’s to the next one.
Recent deals for Jonathan Buxton

Java Republic
Cafento

Mindful Chef Limited
Piper Private Equity

Orlebar Brown
Chanel

Neilson Active Holidays
LDC

Jollyes Retail Group
Kester Capital