The depth and diversity of businesses in Birmingham is staggering, and the growth doesn’t show signs of slowing.
30,000 companies were started in the past two years, suggesting a thriving spirit of entrepreneurship in the Midlands area. But what does this mean for our specific interests – corporate finance and insolvency – when it comes to opportunities in the UK’s second biggest city? Let’s take a look.
Are there corporate finance roles in Birmingham?
The recent global trends for mergers & acquisition suggest private equity companies are seeking to expand and acquire new companies. And in the UK when it comes to M&A, the Midlands has the most, and by some distance. In 2023, the area “significantly outperformed” the rest of the UK – 15% of all UK transactions had some connection to the Midlands. Given the tech sector in the city has continued to see massive growth over the past few years, with more and more companies (particularly those involved in SaaS) seeing the potential, this isn’t really a surprise.
Furthermore, a £3bn regeneration project by Birmingham City chairman Tom Wagner intends to install a 60,000 seater stadium for the football club, as well as providing the necessary facilities and jobs that such investment would entail. And earlier this year, M&A advisory practice Evolve Corporate Finance relocated to central Birmingham offices, intending for yet more expansion as demand soars for its boutique services. In short: there’s opportunities in corporate finance in Birmingham, and promised further investment in this investor-friendly environment will mean these opportunities only increase. It’s a good time to get involved in an area that’s becoming more of a presence in M&A sectors with every passing year.
In the past, we’ve filled roles for a Transaction Services Manager and have introduced M&A Partners into the city to help bolster existing Birmingham-based corporate finance teams or to help enter the Midlands market. We increasingly find ourselves working with clients based in the area, so it’s worth checking out our corporate finance jobs in Birmingham page to see what roles are available.
How is the insolvency market in Birmingham?
With so many businesses starting, it is only natural to see insolvencies also increasing. Just last month (April 2025), there was an 8% rise in insolvencies in the West Midlands, and a 16% increase in the East. Compulsory liquidations in the city are at their highest amount for over a decade, as companies had no choice but to close their doors. And over the past year, about one in five of these insolvencies in Birmingham were in the construction industries – largely impacted by skyrocketing material costs and supply chain issues. For a lot of companies, times are tough.
But Brummies (and anyone familiar with the city) need no reminding of the financial situation, given that Birmingham City Council declared itself bankrupt in 2023. The council is making £300m worth of cuts to public services, and whilst these will primarily affect the citizens of Birmingham most, the effect on business will be vast too – less money to go round means less money to go to a business, which will be even more exacerbated given that council tax in the area is rising by 21%. The picture painted is therefore not particularly positive for local businesses, which – silver lining – is good news for insolvency practitioners. And for the recruiters who specialise in them.
Currently, we’re searching for experienced insolvency practitioners to work for a national recovery business in Birmingham. In recent years, Gambit has helped fill roles for insolvency administrators, advisory directors, and corporate insolvency managers in the midlands area, and we’re always updating with new opportunities. Not quite sure what role you’ll best suit in insolvency and restructuring? Our guide can help.
Looking for your next opportunity in Birmingham’s corporate finance or insolvency market? Explore our latest roles and let us connect you with the right company. Keen to get started today? Submit your CV here and we’ll arrange a call to discuss your options.
