Analyst, Business Services M&A

The advert is titled 'Analyst, Business Services M&A' and is based in London, UK. It describes the Analyst as 'the analytical anchor for his/her deal team', responsible for preparing, completing and ensuring the accuracy of all financial modeling and analysis, and says an Analyst becomes involved in a transaction from start to finish. Source

'Business Services' is the sector coverage. Business services firms sell brainpower, labour and execution rather than products, and six sub-sectors matter: consulting, staffing, facilities management, BPO, TIC (testing, inspection, certification) and government services. Source

'M&A' is the product. M&A advisory is the flagship investment banking product, and the work splits across six roles: sell-side, buy-side, defence, fairness opinions, independent board advisory and restructuring. Source

'Analyst' is the junior band in investment banking, sitting below Associate, and the advert's own promise of promotion to Associate and beyond fits that ladder. Read together with the requirement for prior M&A experience, this is a junior seat for someone who has already done banking work, so a student with no internships should not treat it as an entry route.

The firm describes its M&A advisory practice as helping organisations when selling or buying a business, securing financing solutions, establishing joint ventures and partnerships, valuing their organisation or portfolio, or navigating special situations, and describes the firm as a top global M&A advisor to the mid-market. Source

Day to day the role covers preparing marketing materials for sell-side and buy-side advisory assignments, identifying potential acquirers, conducting industry and company-specific research, ensuring the accuracy and quality of all presentation materials, supporting the due diligence process and attending client meetings. Source

Beyond the title, the advert describes no standalone Business Services unit, so treat Business Services as a sector coverage label within the M&A practice. When preparing, research the firm's business services transactions rather than looking for a separate team page.

Lincoln International, Inc. (NYSE: LCLN) describes itself as a trusted investment banking advisor to business owners and senior executives of leading private equity firms and their portfolio companies and to public and privately held companies, with services spanning mergers and acquisitions advisory, private funds and capital markets advisory, and valuations and fairness opinions. It reports more than 1,400 professionals in more than 30 offices in 14 countries. Source

15 people whose career histories were collected between 2018 and 2026 have held London roles at Lincoln International as a whole.

This is not an entry-level graduate seat: the advert states 'Prior M&A, capital raising or investment banking experience is required (full-time or multi-month internships)' and gives the start as 'ASAP & on a rolling basis'. Source

With no stated deadline and an ASAP rolling start, applications are likely reviewed as they arrive and the seat closes when it is filled. Apply promptly rather than spending weeks polishing.

An ASAP start posted in mid-September points to an immediate hiring need outside the structured autumn analyst intake, so treat this as a lateral opening rather than part of the graduate recruitment calendar.

Applicants must have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree or equivalent from a leading university. Source

Prior M&A, capital raising or investment banking experience is required, either full-time or through multi-month internships. The advert also asks for strong writing, verbal communication and computer skills (Excel, PowerPoint, Word). Source

The role is based in London, UK, with the start listed as 'ASAP & on a rolling basis'. No application deadline is stated. Source