WealthSpace
An AI technology business in the wealth management sector. Director and investor.
Building a portfolio of established UK businesses
I'm Tom Smith — an ACCA-qualified Chartered Certified Accountant, investor and director. I'm building a portfolio of established UK businesses, which I support and oversee for the long term. Having built and backed businesses, and sold one of my own, I understand what it means to hand something over — and I'll treat your business, your team and your legacy with the respect they deserve.
ACCA-qualified Chartered Certified Accountant · Investor & director
About me
I'm Tom Smith, an ACCA-qualified Chartered Certified Accountant, investor and director. Over the years I've built, backed and helped steer businesses across technology, finance and property, and I'm now adding established UK businesses to a growing portfolio — supporting and overseeing them for the long term.
I'm not a fund chasing a quick flip, and I'm not a broker. As a qualified accountant I understand valuations, cash flow and how to get a deal done properly and fairly. As an investor and director who has built and backed companies — and sold one of my own — I also know that an exit is about far more than a number: it's about the people, the customers and the name you've spent years building. I move thoughtfully, I do what I say I will, and I keep every conversation private.
I make acquisitions through my company, Embergate Investments — but you'll be dealing with me, personally, from the very first conversation through to the final handover.
"I've been on your side of the table."
Having built an accounting practice and sold its general-practice arm, I've been through an exit myself. I understand the emotion, the uncertainty and the practicalities involved — and I'll handle your process with exactly that in mind.
Track record
A growing portfolio across technology, professional services and property — which I'm now looking to add to.
An AI technology business in the wealth management sector. Director and investor.
An AI technology business serving the care sector. Director and investor.
A property consulting and investment business. Director and investor, with experience structuring and exiting multi-unit property deals.
An accounting practice I built and own. Having sold its general-practice arm, Elucidate now focuses on fractional CFO and consulting services — providing businesses with senior financial leadership and advice.
A property maintenance and renovation business in which I held equity and served on the board for two years — providing board-level support to grow the business and improve its performance, before stepping away on good terms.
An e-commerce business I built and ran end to end — full-cycle experience, including knowing when to draw a venture to a close.
Roles range from director and investor to non-executive involvement. Happy to discuss any of these in detail.
Serious intent, real capability
Selling to the right person means selling to someone with the means and the people to see it through. I bring more than good intentions.
I have access to experienced advisers across legal, financial and tax matters, so the process is handled professionally and progresses at a sensible, considered pace.
I have access to a substantial network of investors, giving me the backing to pursue the right opportunity when there's a genuine fit.
Acquisitions are made through my company, Embergate Investments — a dedicated vehicle for building a portfolio of quality businesses, each supported and overseen for the long term.
What I look for
I care more about the quality of a business and its people than the industry it's in. If your business looks something like the below, it's worth a conversation.
A genuine trading history and consistent, sustainable profits — not a turnaround or a startup.
Established UK businesses with turnover in the region of £1m – £10m.
Based and operating in the UK. From services and trades to technology and property — strong businesses come in every shape.
Retirement, a change of direction, or simply wanting the right person to take the reins next.
A capable team and a name worth protecting — things I intend to look after, not strip out.
A solid foundation with clear potential to build on over the coming years.
How I work
We talk in complete confidence — no obligation, no pressure, and nothing shared with anyone. Often the most useful first step is simply understanding what you want from a sale.
If there's a fit, I take the time to understand the business properly. As an accountant I can make sense of the numbers quickly, and I treat everything you share with the discretion it deserves.
As a qualified accountant I can move quickly to a fair, evidence-based value — and I'll work with you on a structure that genuinely suits both sides. There's usually more than one way to put a fair deal together, and I'm always happy to talk the options through openly so you can make an informed decision.
A professional, well-managed process through to completion, and a careful handover that protects your team, your customers and your legacy.
Common questions
Completely. Nothing you tell me is shared with anyone, and an early conversation carries no obligation whatsoever. Discretion is fundamental to how I work.
No. Very few businesses are perfectly tidy, and as an accountant I'm comfortable making sense of where things stand. It's better to talk early than to wait until everything feels perfect.
As a Chartered Certified Accountant, I base value on sustainable profits and cash flow rather than guesswork — a fair, realistic, evidence-based view. I'm always happy to explain my thinking so it's transparent to you.
Every deal is different, and there's usually more than one way to structure a fair one. I work with each owner to find an approach that suits both sides, drawing on my own resources and a network of investors. Rather than make assumptions, I'd far rather discuss the options with you openly so we land on something that genuinely works.
I've built, backed and helped steer several businesses as a director and investor, and I've personally sold one of my own. This will be the first acquisition through Embergate Investments — the start of a portfolio I'm building. You'll have my personal involvement throughout, and I take a close, hands-on interest in overseeing the businesses I back.
I buy to own and grow a business for the long term — not to strip it for parts. Looking after the people, customers and reputation that made the business what it is is central to why I'm the right kind of buyer.
Get in touch
Every conversation is private and without obligation. Whether you're ready to sell or simply weighing it up, I'd be glad to hear from you.