Business Acquisition Analyst / Deal Scout

Job Title: Business Acquisition Analyst / Deal Scout

Location: Remote (UK-based preferred)

Type: Freelance, Contract, or Project-Based

Carlton Scott is looking for a sharp, commercially-minded Business Acquisition Analyst / Deal Scout to identify, qualify, and assess UK-based businesses suitable for acquisition, turnaround, or investment. If you have a nose for undervalued assets, distressed businesses, or scalable opportunities.

About Carlton Scott & Rescue Capital

Carlton Scott is a strategic business consultancy supporting growth-focused entrepreneurs and SMEs across the UK. Alongside our advisory and education services, we operate Rescue Capital, our buyout and turnaround arm, focused on acquiring and repositioning underperforming or exiting small businesses. With experience in building 7- and 8-figure ventures, we’re now actively seeking acquisitions.

The Role

You’ll be responsible for sourcing potential acquisition targets, analysing opportunities, and helping prepare brief business evaluations. You’ll work closely with the founder to filter high-potential leads from noise and ensure only qualified, strategically aligned businesses move forward for deeper due diligence.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify UK-based businesses suitable for acquisition (distressed, undervalued, retiring owner, etc.)
• Monitor deal platforms (e.g. BusinessesForSale.com, Daltons, RightBiz), Companies House, LinkedIn, and local business forums
• Perform preliminary analysis on business metrics, revenue potential, and owner intent
• Assist with direct outreach to potential sellers (email, LinkedIn, or broker contact)
• Build and maintain a prospecting database of acquisition opportunities
• Prepare short reports or deal memos outlining business model, opportunity size, and risk profile
• Collaborate on deal pipeline reviews and founder strategy sessions
• Stay updated on industry trends, emerging opportunities, and regional sectors with potential

Who You Are

• Commercially sharp and detail-oriented
• Analytical, with a working understanding of small business P&Ls and performance indicators
• Comfortable using Companies House, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, or online deal platforms
• Able to assess value and opportunity quickly and logically
• Resourceful — you know how to dig, search, and connect dots
• Bonus: Background in investment, M&A, business brokerage, or entrepreneurship

What You’ll Gain

• An inside role in an entrepreneurial brand actively acquiring businesses across the UK
• Opportunity to build experience in M&A, turnarounds, and business investment
• Flexible remote working and performance-based incentives
• Long-term potential to evolve into a senior acquisition or operational role
• Direct collaboration with a founder experienced in scaling and repositioning companies

How to Apply

Send your CV and a short message explaining how you typically source and qualify acquisition opportunities. If you’ve worked on previous deals or have research samples, please include them.