Culture That Drives Success
Cortus Advisory Group delivers professional services with a commitment to collaboration, integrity and expertise. We’re straight-talking, outcome-focused and committed to doing deals differently. Our culture is inclusive, supportive and ambitious—where ideas matter, careers grow and success is shared.
Our Promise to Employees
Founded by ex Big-4 professionals, our vision is to create a truly collaborative and inclusive professional services business where everyone can have a varied, enjoyable, and successful career. We see Cortus as a vehicle to facilitate positive social change and challenge the norms. Others say it but we are really doing it. We are a dynamic business led by an entrepreneurial team.
Why Join Cortus
With a close-knit, agile team and a focus on training and development, Cortus offers a dynamic environment for people who want impact and progression.
Cortus offers meaningful work with real responsibility, gaining exposure and learning fast in a business that values results over bureaucracy. We support your ambition with tailored training, mentorship, and clear progression paths.
If you’re looking for a role that’s fast-paced, rewarding, and full of opportunity, Cortus is the place to make it happen.
INCOEX
We also offer opportunities for European Secondments through the INCOEX Alliance, a strategic partnership with similar deal advisory boutiques based in France and Germany.
Our core values
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We approach our work with Integrity
Our honest approach makes us human; we provide advice with understanding. We respect and support our colleagues, promoting diversity and inclusion with everyone having the opportunity to do the work they enjoy.
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Collaboration is key
We work closely with our clients in an agile manner to ensure we provide the right team, with the right skills, to deliver the best solution. We care about and actively partner with other organisations to invest in our local communities.
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Our Expertise makes us best in class
We strive to maximise the potential of our team through focused training programmes. We take ownership of our work and we never compromise on quality.
Cortus so far...
Cortus Advisory Group founded
November 2020 Nicola Merrit, CEO launches independent consultancy specialising in Transaction Services (the UK's first TS led boutique consultancy).
New joiners, first office and official launch to market
In January 2021 Dan Gallagher joins Cortus TS from KPMG.
In April 2021 James Groot, COO (ex KPMG Restructuring) and John Hughes Chairman (ex KPMG Senior Partner and Head of UK PE) join as shareholders of Cortus Advisory Group Limited. Jenny Kirkham joins as TS Partner from KPMG.
In July 2021 Cortus' first office opened in the North West and lock down restrictions lifted.
North East office opens and East Midlands Partner joins
In June 2022 Leeds office opened in November 2022 Paul Kithoray, TS Partner, joins from Grant Thornton to establish Cortus in the East Midlands (Nottingham).
First awards, second North West office opens and new recruits
In April 2023 Phil Dean joins the East Midlands team from PWC as TS Director.
In June 2023 Cortus wins North West TS team of Year and Nicola is awarded North West Change Maker of the Year.
In August 2023 a second North West office is opened in Manchester.
More awards, more recruitment and new service lines
In January 2024 Daniel Booth joins Cortus TS from KPMG as a TS Partner and Synergy, Integration and Separation services are launched.
In April 2024 Cortus Corporate Finance is launched.
The TS team wins further awards in the North West, West Midlands and East Midlands with Nicola being the first woman in the UK to be awarded the prestigious Rainmaker of the Year title.
In December 2024 a co-operation agreement with Mortier & Associates in France signed.
Cortus expanding
In January 2025 Rachael Ellis joins as a TS Partner from PWC to launch Cortus in Birmingham.
In February 2025 the TS team is awarded UK TS Team of the Year by Business Insider and Paul Kearney joins as TS Partner from RSM to launch Cortus in London.
In March 2025 Neil Morley joins as a Corporate Advisory Partner from Interpath in Leeds.
In April Cortus wins Private Equity Awards for Financial Due Diligence Provider of the Year.
In July 2025 Jim Mackway joins leading the Value Creation services.
In September Cortus achieves B Corp status.
In October Cortus launches The INCOEX Alliance, a European network of Transaction and Restructuring businesses offering opportunities for international secondments.
When Cortus was founded it had 2 employees, now, over four years later it has approximately 60 employees.
Since Cortus’ official launch in May 2021, the team has grown to nine partners, based across six offices offering five service lines.
With this expansion comes exciting opportunities for ambitious professionals to grow with us.
- Founded
- Co-workers
- Years experience
- Projects completed
B-Corp Certified Business
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Being B Corp certified means we are part of a global movement of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and governance. For us, it’s more than a badge – it’s a public commitment to "Doing Deals Differently." It reflects who we are as a firm and how we choose to operate. It means we’re committed to doing business responsibly, putting people and purpose alongside profit, and building a firm that delivers impact beyond the deal. It’s a signal that we care deeply about how we work, not just what we deliver.
Benefits that enhance your experience
- Annual Leave - Team members receive 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays.
- Birthday Leave - Take the day off to celebrate your birthday.
- Pension Salary Sacrifice Scheme - Employer contributions being paid on full salary.
- Discretionary Bonus - Based on company performance.
- Health Cash Plan
- Company Sick Pay
- Purchase Annual Leave - Up to 5 days per year.
- Recruitment Referral Bonus
- Annual Peer / Mentor Allowance
- Enhanced Paternity / Maternity
- Mental Health Support
- Supported Study Programmes
- Flexible Working Options
- One-to-one Mentoring
- Annual Corporate Conference
- Annual CSR Day
- Cycle to Work Scheme