Part of the Reads Advice Partners network, we focus exclusively on UK private security businesses.
Reads M&A Advisory is a credible business brokerage with over a decade of experience selling businesses across finance, accountancy, private equity and family office markets. We have worked with over 17,000 accountancy firms and built strong relationships with private equity investors, business investors and family offices actively seeking acquisition opportunities.
Many of those buyers have been asking us specifically for security businesses. That demand is the reason we launched a dedicated specialist service for security sales. We are upfront about this: the private security sector is a new dedicated focus for us, and we have not built a long track record of selling security businesses specifically. What we bring is a substantial buyer network already asking for security opportunities, over a decade of business sales process expertise, and access to consultants, finance directors and acquisition specialists who help prepare your business for sale.
The private security market is in a period of unusually active buyer interest. In 2025, 70% of UK fire and security transactions involved private-equity-backed buyers, up from 57% the year before, and buy-and-build platforms are consolidating owner-managed businesses, particularly those below £1m EBITDA (Grant Thornton, UK Fire and Security Sector M&A Review 2025). Recurring monitoring revenue, NSI Gold or SIA Approved Contractor status, BS 7858-compliant vetting and long-term commercial contracts are among the strongest valuation drivers acquirers are seeking right now.
If you are exploring a sale, you will deal directly with Simon Read. Not a sales team. Not a call centre. A direct conversation with someone who will personally see your sale through.
Simon Read manages the Security Business Sales division, working directly with every client from initial conversation through to completion. There is no sales team. There are no junior analysts running your deal.
When you call, you speak to the person who understands your industry, has access to the buyer network, and will manage your sale from start to finish. Simon knows the difference between a business built on a book of monitored alarm and CCTV accounts and one built mainly on manned guarding contracts. He understands how NSI Gold or SIA Approved Contractor status changes a valuation, why BS 7858 vetting and recurring monitoring revenue matter to private equity buyers, and what Martyn's Law and the PSTN switch-off mean for the acquisition market.
This direct, personal approach means nothing is lost in translation. Your business is positioned accurately, your concerns are heard by the person making decisions, and you always know exactly where you stand in the process.
Simon Read leads our security division, working directly with every client from initial conversation through to completion. Reads M&A Advisory has over a decade of experience selling businesses, and many of the investors and acquirers in our network have been asking specifically for security opportunities.
Every conversation starts with understanding what matters most to you: the price, the legacy, the staff, the timing, or simply getting out with certainty. Nothing is decided until you are ready.
No obligation, no pressure. Tell us about your business and we will be in touch within 24 hours.
Simon Read will be in contact within 24 hours. Direct conversation, not a sales team. Everything you have shared is treated in the strictest confidence.