UK leads the way with a surge in private equity dealmaking
BRITAIN led the private equity dealmaking pack across Europe in the last quarter, with 40 per cent of buyout values coming from UK buyers, a study out today claims.
The UK’s market share is eight per cent higher than it was last year, underscoring the growing strength and stronger sentiment of the British economy.
In total, 47 UK deals closed between the start of January and end of March, worth about €5.2bn, according to data published by the Centre for Management Buyout Research today. Across Europe there were 130 private equity backed deals during the quarter, worth €13bn in total.
Initial public offerings by private equity firms in London continued their strong run, with five the seven private equity-backed IPOs in the quarter taking place in the city.
Equistone and EY sponsored the research. Equistone’s Christiian Marriott said: “These figures add further weight to the view that a recovery in European private equity activity is well underway.”