Simon Brown

The M&A team delivered a record-breaking year across sectors spanning renewable energy, technology, transport and logistics, infrastructure, professional services, publishing, engineering, healthcare, hotels and leisure and financial services.

Simon Brown, partner, said: “The market is buoyant, driven by increased activity of private equity firms and improved investor confidence. Of note was acting for the sellers in the sale of the entire issued share capital of Douglas Home & Co Ltd to EQ Accountants Ltd/Sumer Group, a transaction that marked further consolidation of the accountancy market.

“In terms of mainstream M&A transactions, we have seen a growing trend of buyers initially acquiring 70-80 per cent of target companies, with a call option to purchase the remainder over two to five years; and retaining incumbent management with an incentive to further grow EBITDA.

“Geographically, buyers have predominantly been English or European, particularly from Spain, France, Germany and the Netherlands; with some from further afield, such as North America, India and the Gulf states. This is a trend we expect to continue in 2025.”

Anderson Strathern’s private equity team also had a highly successful year, focusing on substantial investment deals – including one of the largest Series A investments in a Scottish business in 2024 – the £11m investment into its client and Scottish Fintech company of the year, Aveni.ai.