We’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with Rob Burton for several years, and we were excited to discuss his new role at Castle Square Corporate Finance. With 20 years of experience in corporate finance, Rob has been instrumental in the recent launch of Castle Squares new office in Leeds.

His insights on the opportunities ahead, along with his vision for contributing to the company’s success, will be invaluable for anyone interested in the dynamic developments in Leeds’ business sector, the evolving corporate finance landscape, and the challenges and opportunities currently facing the industry.

What have you already learned about the history and proposition of Castle Square?

Castle Square is a highly regarded corporate finance boutique, founded by Kevan Shaw over 10 years ago. He is a highly respected figure in the market, and although the business began in Sheffield, it has expanded well beyond its local roots. One key insight from my research before joining is that Castle Square operates not just in South Yorkshire but across the UK.

The firm's impressive track record is evidenced by an incredible range of deals that it has successfully completed—Kevan and the team have consistently delivered outstanding results. The quality brand, combined with the quality of people within the firm, was a major factor in my decision to join. It’s a fantastic foundation to build upon, particularly as Leeds continues to grow in importance as a financial hub in the UK.

Leeds is becoming increasingly recognized as a financial hub in the UK. How do you see the city's business sector evolving in the next few years?

That's a great question. Leeds has always been a strong player in the corporate finance (CF) market, a market that continues to evolve. Recently, we've seen significant moves into Leeds from notable M&A firms targeting the larger deals and competing strongly with the Big Four and larger, established boutiques. This has driven competition at the upper end of the Yorkshire deals market.  

This growth in the corporate finance market has led to a shift in market dynamics. Castle Square can excel in this changing environment, particularly in the middle market deals space, which remains to a large degree underserved. There has always been significant activity in this space, and Castle Square is well placed to service this active part of the market.

For Castle Square, this shift represents a fantastic opportunity to thrive in the middle market, where there's still plenty of space for growth. It's exciting to see investment in corporate finance across the city, with many firms investing in Lead Advisory Corporate Finance capabilities. Leeds is clearly growing and evolving as a corporate finance hub, while still maintaining its distinct identity. Overall, it’s an exciting time for the business sector here, with many opportunities on the horizon.

In your view, what are the biggest challenges and opportunities currently facing the corporate finance sector, both in the UK and locally?

In the short term, the biggest challenge is the uncertainty surrounding the new government’s upcoming budget on October 30th. There has been much speculation regarding potential changes to capital gains tax, which could significantly impact deal-making and entrepreneurs’ willingness to transact. There is no doubt that until we have clarity, this uncertainty is causing some hesitation in the market.

Despite this challenge, there are still exciting opportunities. The marketplace remains active, particularly in our part of the market, where owner-managers and entrepreneurs are continually exploring new opportunities, whether that involves selling their businesses, acquiring others, or seeking development capital. The private equity community remains active, with strong access to capital, which will continue to drive activity.

Even with potential changes to capital gains tax, business owners will still need to plan for their futures and consider succession planning. While the market may evolve, we expect it to remain active, providing numerous opportunities for those looking to grow or transition their businesses.

What role do you envision Castle Square playing in addressing these challenges and capitalizing on the opportunities?

At Castle Square, our primary focus is to stay close to our clients and help them understand the various options available. Our role is not always to deliver a live transaction. Quite often, it’s about exploring ways to further develop a business, help the shareholders to understand all options available to them and implement succession strategies.

Ultimately, our role is one of trusted advisor;  standing alongside our clients, advising them on the best options and helping them make informed decisions based on the best advice.

As a new partner at Castle Square, what strategic initiatives or changes are you most excited about implementing at the firm?

I’m particularly excited about the strong foundation that Castle Square already has, with fantastic people and a very strong pipeline of opportunities. There’s no need for fundamental changes in any respect, and I am excited about expanding our presence in the Leeds market.

Castle Square has an outstanding reputation across Yorkshire, and our brand is growing within the corporate finance community. My goal is to leverage my network, built over 20 years in the corporate finance sector, to push the brand further into Leeds and continue the firm’s growth. That’s a significant reason why I joined Castle Square—the opportunity to help lead that expansion.

How do you plan to leverage your expertise and experience to contribute to the firm's growth and success?

With over 20 years of experience at larger firms, I plan to draw on the best practices I have learnt over that time and look how they may be effective at Castle Square. However, it’s important to emphasise that we don’t want to lose our boutique nature—our strength lies in our nimbleness and ability to react quickly to changing circumstances.

My goal is to build on the very strong foundations already in place, improving processes where possible to support future growth.

Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals for the firm, and how do you see it evolving under your leadership and partnership?

Our primary focus is to collaborate as a senior team to consistently deliver quality deals to our clients. While we aim for growth, our objective is to achieve it profitably and sensibly. We’re not driven by ego; our goal is sustainable, profitable growth.

As business owners, we recognise the importance of fostering an environment that supports our staff. We are committed to ensuring we have the right team in place to maintain our high standards and reputation while continuing to deliver exceptional deals.