James Cooper

My role 

I am a Corporate Finance Partner based in the East of England and co-lead the firm’s M&A lead advisory and transactional services offering.  

I have over 20 years practice experience and have specialised in Corporate Finance since 2012, covering a range of buy and sell side transactions, management buyouts, employee ownership trusts and debt and equity fundraising (alongside related advisory services).

I help corporate clients in an advisory or transactional capacity to achieve their strategic objectives from growing and realising value, succession planning, taking on capital to grow or making acquisitions.  My focus is on privately-owned businesses in the East and throughout my career I have built up extensive practical experience across a variety of sectors.

About me 

I first joined Lovewell Blake in 2005, qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2011 and was awarded the Corporate Finance Qualification in 2015 having achieved two outstanding achievement prizes for attaining the highest exam marks in the final stage of qualification. 

During 2016 I left the firm and spent four years as a senior member of a leading regional M&A boutique followed by six years at a national Corporate Finance and business advisory practice, the last three of which as a Partner. I rejoined Lovewell Blake Corporate Finance during 2026 and look forward to bringing my national and regional experience of the lower-mid M&A market to the firm, its clients and contacts.

Outside of work I enjoy running and family time and am a former Chairman of the Norwich No.1 Round Table.