James Vallence has been appointed as Head of M&A at BDO in Southampton, as part of wider investment in the firm’s deals team across Southampton, Reading and Bristol.
The corporate finance director takes over this role from July 2025 and will oversee the deals team across the Central South region. He succeeds Helen O’Kane, who will continue in her role as partner ahead of her retirement in early 2026.
Since joining the firm in 2017, James has built a strong reputation in the region, working alongside entrepreneurial and ambitious business owners on a range of transactions. This includes advising on exits to both trade and private equity, making acquisitions and fundraising for growth. Nominated for Emerging Dealmaker at the Solent Deal Awards in 2023, James works across a range of sectors, with a strong track record in technology and specialist engineering-related deals.
In his new role, James will be responsible for leading the Southampton deals team, while continuing to support regional businesses and owner managers to achieve their growth and exit ambitions.
James commented: “I’m absolutely delighted to be taking over the reins from Helen, who joined the Southampton M&A team in 2003 and has built an excellent team of deals specialists.
“With strong foundations in place, I’m really looking forward to working with the team to support regional businesses in delivering transactions, with a specific mandate on opportunities in and around Hampshire, Dorset and the Solent region.”
James’ appointment is part of continued investment in the wider BDO deals team across the south, from Southampton to Reading and Bristol. The 30-strong team specialises in the full range of corporate finance services from M&A strategy, planning and due diligence, through to post-deal value creation. In 2024, the team completed 32 deals with a total value of £1.7 billion.
Helen added: “BDO is ideally placed to capitalise on the opportunities that exist in the local market. We have a fantastic team in the region and James is the perfect appointment to continue to develop this further – I wish him every success in his new role.”
At the end of 2024, BDO cemented its long-term commitment to the region following the completion of a major multi-million-pound renovation of its Ocean Village office – its Southampton home for the last 19 years. The firm signed a new long-term 15 year lease at Arcadia House on Maritime Walk, providing 17,000 sq. ft. of commercial space for 250 employees and partners.
Steve Le Bas, regional managing partner in Southampton, said: “As the largest professional services firm in the region, we’re committed to responsible and sustainable growth, investing significantly in the local market.
“James’ appointment is a positive step forward for our deals team and demonstrates our desire to nurture and reward talent, whether that’s across deals or our wider offering in tax and audit.”