THAMES VALLEY DEALS TEAM UPBEAT AFTER ‘GREAT YEAR’
The Thames Valley region’s credentials as the ideal location for dynamic and ambitious companies to thrive will mean it will continue to attract investor interest in 2022, according to Grant Thornton UK LLP. Reflecting on an “outstanding” 2021 for deals, Peter Jennings, Corporate Finance Partner at Grant Thornton is confident the high concentration of […]
The Thames Valley region’s credentials as the ideal location for dynamic and ambitious companies to thrive will mean it will continue to attract investor interest in 2022, according to Grant Thornton UK LLP.
Reflecting on an “outstanding” 2021 for deals, Peter Jennings, Corporate Finance Partner at Grant Thornton is confident the high concentration of entrepreneurial and technology-focused businesses in the region – which after London is the UK’s fastest-growing regional economy – will lead to further activity this year.
During 2021 the team advised on 15 deals with a cumulative value of more than £750m. Over half of the deals were cross-border transactions, including the sale of defence consultancy Harmonic to US company KBR Inc, the sale of compliance software company Hamilton Grant to US based FoodChain ID and the investment in BAFTA-winning Surrey-based games developer Supermassive Games by Danish group Nordisk Games.
Peter says: “After an outstanding 2021 we are confident of maintaining our momentum this year.
“Private equity firms continue to be very active in the mid-market and ready to pay good multiples for the right business, particularly those in business support services, TMT, including digital infrastructure and data.
“In 2021 there was also a marked uptick in overseas trade buyers, especially from the US, acquiring UK assets and competing very strongly with Private Equity, and this is something we are continuing to see this year. There are several factors for this including the need to access the UK market post Brexit.”
He adds: “With close proximity to London and its outstanding talent pool and global connectivity, and a cluster of fast-growing and innovative mid-market technology-focused businesses, I am very confident the Thames Valley region will continue to be a deal-making hotspot in 2022.
“With concern over potential changes to capital gains taxes persisting, I believe many business owners will continue to review their options, which will also drive volumes in the near term.”
Nationally, after a record year of activity, Grant Thornton has been ranked the UK’s number one financial adviser by deal volume, in the latest Experian MarketIQ M&A Review.
The firm’s deals and business consulting practice completed 295 transactions overall with a disclosed transaction value of over £10bn.
More in Finance
B4 Finance Ecosystem: The specific opportunities and challenges that women encounter...
Charles Stanley are committed to fostering a proactive approach to investing and their goal is to empower women to make well-informed financial decisions and capitalise on potential growth opportunities. They also strive to support women in crafting their unique financial narratives, enhancing their knowledge, and understanding of investment strategies, and building a robust and influential female network.
Understanding HMRC tax investigations: A guide for business owners
Simon Smith, Managing Partner at Wellers, discusses what business owners need to know about tax investigations, including whether you could be a target.
Wren Sterling named in FT Adviser Top 100 Financial Advisers list...
Wren Sterling is celebrating its eighth consecutive year of making FT Adviser’s Top 100 Financial Advisers list. The awards reflect the leading firms in the UK financial advice and wealth management markets and were announced at FT Adviser’s Financial Advice Forum event in London on the 24th September.
From this author
Grant Thornton bolsters Private Tax team with Director appointment
Leading business and financial advisory firm Grant Thornton UK LLP have announced the promotion of Rachel Stace to Director of Private Tax. Rachel joined Grant Thornton 10 years ago as an executive and will now take a leading role in growing the GrantThornton Private team’s strong national network of advisors, based in the Oxford office […]
Grant Thornton boosts tax team with new Director
Leading business and financial advisory firm Grant Thornton UK LLP have announced the promotion of Isabel Thomas to Director of Corporate Tax. Isabel will be based at Grant Thornton’s Gatwick office and will be a key part of the corporate tax team’s leadership. This team provides firms with the commercial tax advice required to […]
Grant Thornton boosts tax team with new Director
Leading business and financial advisory firm Grant Thornton UK LLP have announced the promotion of Isabel Thomas to Director of Corporate Tax. Isabel will be based at Grant Thornton’s Gatwick office and will be a key part of the corporate tax team’s leadership. This team provides firms with the commercial tax advice required to […]