Meet Darren & Gemma
Darren and Gemma have joined forces to provide a complete, start-to-finish M&A advisory solution, combining commercial and strategic expertise with the critical people and organisational aspects of acquisition.
Together, they support businesses from initial acquisition strategy and assessment, through due diligence and deal support, to successful integration and post-acquisition growth — helping reduce risk and maximise the value of every acquisition.
Our Values
Authentic
Real people with real experience who put your business first.
Dynamic
Energy and pace, — we get things moving rather than dragging things out.
Credible
We’ve been there. Success and scars. And we know what good looks like.
Inquisitive
We ask 'why' a lot! And 'what'. That way we get to understand your business.
Invested
We get invested with you and work alongside you as partners.
Darren Downes
Gemma Carter-Morris
Speare founder, Darren brings 35+ years of senior commercial and leadership experience, with first-hand involvement in acquisitions, due diligence, integration and business transformation. He has experienced transactions from multiple perspectives — including completing his own management buyout, making acquisitions and ultimately selling his own business.
He works with owners, MDs, CEOs and leadership teams throughout the acquisition journey — from strategy and target assessment through due diligence, integration and post-acquisition growth — bringing a practical, commercial perspective focused on reducing risk, successfully bringing businesses together and ensuring the acquisition delivers its intended value.
Gemma is Managing Director of Next Steps Consulting and brings 20+ years of leadership, coaching and change management experience, supported by a senior leadership background and MBA. She specialises in the people side of M&A, helping owners, MDs and leadership teams manage the human and organisational factors that can make or break an acquisition.
Her expertise spans leadership, culture, organisational capability, change readiness and team dynamics. Through acquisition and integration, Gemma helps bring people, cultures and leadership teams together successfully — protecting performance, retaining key talent and creating the conditions for long-term growth.
Where Do We Fit?
Central to everything we do is to keep the end goal in mind - helping you deliver successful M&A outcomes. We don't just focus on one stage of the project, we look at ethe whole process with the end goal always as the only measure of success.
If we don't believe we can add value to you and the business, we will not take on projects.
We work with businesses that want clarity, momentum, and results. We help you cut through the noise and symptoms, get to the cause, and help you make more confident decisions.
Our approach is practical and grounded in real commercial experience, not theory or buzzwords.
We get involved where it matters most, bringing structure, challenge, and clarity to complex situations.
We work alongside owners, MDs, CEOs, leadership teams and external advisors as trusted partners.