One of private equity’s oldest recipes is to buy a platform for investments, then consolidate for an immediate uplift in the value of the acquisitions, says MarktoMarket’s Doug Lawson, and more and more firms are dining out on it.
Businesses that faltered during the pandemic have bounced back stronger than ever, and five years on new niches are opening up, says Nicholas Neveling.
Almost two decades on from the global financial crisis, Scotland’s big energy deals have signalled a return to form. With a strong pipeline of start-ups and high-quality mid-market businesses lined up for investment, it’s later-stage capital that is in high demand. By Nicholas Neveling.
Amid tariff changes, reversals of changes, and stockmarket wobbles, Enfuse Group remained a standout investment target for Agathos. Nicholas Neveling reports.
HR due diligence is rapidly becoming a vital element of deal due diligence, as buyers seek out more accurate valuations. As its scope broadens, David Prosser looks at how the value of – and risk associated with – a workforce is quantified.
For rehab business Providence Projects, it was all about finding the right buyer and the right price, says Oliver Aspinall, corporate finance manager at S&W.
As uptake of artificial intelligence increases, firms are reconsidering their recruitment practices. What does this mean for the role of the mergers and acquisitions professional?
An independent business for 200 years, Hill & Smith, a provider of solutions to the infrastructure and built environment sectors, received the much-coveted corporate development award at last year’s Annual Reception. Marc Mullen talks to Joel Whitehouse, group head of corporate development at Hill & Smith, about its M&A strategy.
From nursery buy-and-builds to private school consolidation and university mergers, each education sub-sector is responding to its own specific challenges. Jason Sinclair looks at what’s driving activity in this busy UK market.
The breakneck speed of AI development is disrupting the deal-making world. What are the guardrails and how can terms of engagement hope to hit this moving target? Jo Russell reports.
The UK sits in pole position for VC investment and global M&A is up in value, if not in volume, with dry powder reserves plentiful. Is the race to invest hotting up?
A new guideline from ICAEW’s Corporate Finance Faculty focuses on the cultural and people-related risks and opportunities that need to be considered in a transaction.
The healthcare sector has been busy this past decade. Private equity, corporates, and international investors have all been active – each responding to unique market drivers, regulatory challenges, and evolving public sentiment. Jason Sinclair looks at a resilient M&A sector.
ICG’s sale of Kee Safety to Inflexion and 65 Equity proves that a high-quality business, polished by successive private equity owners, will always command a good valuation, whatever the market conditions. Nicholas Neveling reports.
There have been positive signs for UK M&A so far this year, but what does the future hold? Marc Mullen gets the views of three Corporate Finance Faculty board members.
UK financial services continue to attract investment. Jason Sinclair looks at the drivers behind private equity interest in one of the country’s strongest-performing sectors.
The use of commercial due diligence has been on the rise for private equity buyers in particular. But more than a risk mitigation exercise, it feeds directly into post-acquisition strategy. Jason Sinclair looks at a service line increasingly in demand.
Mobeus Equity Partners’ investment in Active Travel Group was rooted in a conviction that active travel is not merely a trend, but a reflection of changing consumer priorities. Jason Sinclair reports.
Cyber attacks targeting M&A processes can have financial, reputational and opportunity costs for vendors, buyers and advisers. Dealmakers cannot afford to ignore the risks. Nicholas Neveling reports.
Jonathan Szoke joined BDO at the start of 2025 to set up an ESG due diligence offering. It’s been a long journey for the South African, who started out working on a game reserve as a conservationist.
In M&A, the accessibility and rapid evolution of AI is bringing amazing functionality to the masses. But mitigating risks, devising new processes and honing new skills is key, explains Graham Dotchin.
The resource-rich Middle East has long been attractive to investors, but energy transition is now putting M&A activity in the fast lane, as Jason Sinclair reports.
M&A in manufacturing and engineering has felt the force of macroeconomic instability, but subsectors are generating steady deal flow at attractive multiples.
Software developer 15below has soared to new heights with its first M&A transaction, the acquisition of communication platform Airport AI, bolstering its aim to deliver seamless travel. David Prosser reports.
Silvia Rindone, UK and Ireland managing partner for strategy and transactions at EY, talks about how she is redefining the expertise needed to reshape the industry and meet the challenges facing advisory firms.
The latest from ICAEW’s centre of professional expertise in corporate finance, including a round-table discussion on professional and business services, and how to contribute to consultations on the Takeover Code, the Senior Managers and Certification Regime and notifiable acquisitions.
Against a hugely volatile backdrop, the importance of commercial due diligence in the transactions process is ramping up. New best practice guidance to be published by ICAEW will assist all involved in CDD.
The desire to work with entrepreneurs is what spurred ICON Corporate Finance associate director Will Cave to move from business marketing into M&A, specialising in tech deals.
Accelerated M&A is emerging as a valuable tool in uncertain markets – helping companies and investors respond to constantly shifting market conditions.
