RSM UK named South East’s most active M&A adviser in 2021

RSM's corporate finance team has been named most active M&A financial advisers in the South East in the latest Experian data for 2021 H1. RSM also clinched the second spot in the Midlands.

In total, RSM advised on 99 completed deals in 2021 H1, including 36 in the South East, 29 in London and 27 in the Midlands - taking third place in the national league table.

Overall, Experian recorded 3385 transactions in the first half of 2021, 16 per cent higher than the number of transactions during the same covid-hit period of 2020. The activity recorded suggests pent up demand, low interest rates and positive economic confidence are all contributing to a significant upturn in the UK M&A market.

Kirsty Sandwell, partner and head of corporate finance at RSM comments: ‘After the initial shock of Covid-19, deal volumes across the UK have moved at such a pace that in some regions activity has risen by over 50 per cent on a year on year basis. While the pandemic forced many businesses to readjust their strategy, these results show businesses are sticking to investment plans despite the restrictions we were all under in H1.

‘Technology, infrastructure and businesses who have benefited from government spend exceeded expectations, private equity liquidity and the threat of capital gains tax increases has also driven activity. More attention can now be had on businesses that are reliant on consumer spend, and we are likely to see improved confidence in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors in H2.

‘The tech and infocomms sector is likely to remain a key driver of growth in the year, serving the digital acceleration sparked by the pandemic. Looking at the transactional activity as a predictor of business sentiment, it suggests a real opportunity for middle market businesses.’