With over 35 years of experience in corporate finance advisory, Philip Ellis is a highly respected voice in the Human Capital sector. As Founder of Optima, Philip supports business owners, investors, and leadership teams through pivotal moments - from fundraising and valuation to strategic exits. His deep sector knowledge, combined with decades of hands-on deal experience, makes him a valuable partner for founders aiming to scale and realise value.

Sector Specialist with a Strategic Edge

For the past 29 years, Philip has specialised in the Human Capital services market, advising a wide range of recruitment businesses on mergers, acquisitions, and growth strategies. His extensive understanding of market dynamics and business value drivers gives clients a significant advantage when preparing for a transaction.

In recent years, Philip has broadened his focus to include the HR Tech and Future of Work sectors. With deep roots in traditional services, he offers a unique perspective to tech businesses seeking to sell to, compete with, or disrupt the recruitment market. His insight into buyer behaviour - combined with long-standing relationships across the industry - makes him particularly effective in advising emerging and scale-up companies positioning for growth.

Creating Value Through Expert Transaction Support

Philip’s core expertise lies in M&A and fundraising. He helps businesses understand and optimise their financial positioning, offering clear, strategic advice on valuation, deal structure, and investor readiness. He guides founders through the transaction lifecycle - from preparing financial data and business cases, to negotiating terms and closing deals with confidence.

He understands how investors and acquirers assess opportunity and risk, ensuring that founders can view their businesses through the lens of a buyer. This perspective helps leaders present their business with clarity, realism, and commercial appeal - maximising both value and strategic alignment.

A Trusted Advisor to Founders and Investors

Whether working with traditional recruitment firms or advising forward-thinking HR Tech ventures, Philip brings a calm, analytical, and relationship-driven approach. He understands the nuances of both established and emerging markets and provides tailored, outcome-focused advice to leadership teams navigating growth, investment, or sale.

Conclusion: Clarity, Confidence, and Commercial Insight

Philip Ellis stands out for his depth of experience, sector focus, and commercial clarity. For founders operating in or around the Human Capital space, he provides more than transaction support - he offers a strategic partnership grounded in decades of real-world dealmaking. Whether preparing for sale, raising capital, or exploring growth options, Philip helps businesses take the next step with confidence and clarity.