In the first half of the year, the team has advised on a wide range of international and domestic M&A and private equity deals – ranging in size from seed investments in start-up businesses to multi-million-pound acquisitions across a variety of sectors.
The firm – which has 10 office hubs nationally, including Sheffield – has ambitious growth plans for the rest of 2022, having already welcomed two high-profile dealmakers to its corporate team.
Partner and head of corporate Duncan James (pictured) said: “Despite a great deal of economic uncertainty, the team had a strong first half of the year, with revenue increasing.
“Deal dynamics are definitely changing with multiples being under pressure as forecasts for the next couple of years are placed under the microscope. Many sectors are still feeling robust, with healthcare, MedTech, manufacturing, TMT, and life sciences, in particular, holding up.”
The past six months have also seen no let-up in activity for the corporate team’s banking department.
Naomi Tudor, partner and head of banking and financial services, said: “We have continued to act, not only for our usual well-known more traditional lenders but also for an increasing number of the cohort of new funders, which are becoming a bigger feature in today’s mid-market lending space. These new players have the appetite to support many businesses struggling to get funding from their usual sources.”
Deal Spotlight
27 forests from across England, Scotland and Wales were sold by the Foresight Inheritance Tax Fund to Foresight Sustainable Forestry Company Plc as part of an investment fund portfolio disposal worth £113.4 million. Kavita Patel, partner and head of investment funds, said: “Clients have continued to raise funds and make investments, with some really interesting opportunities in the technology, renewables and healthcare space. It has been great to see investors and entrepreneurs continuing to work together to drive the UK economy despite what continues to be challenging times.”
Viessmann Group acquired a majority stake in Pacifica Home Services Ltd – the largest service and installation platform in the UK for integrated climate solutions in buildings.
