KPMG’s Leeds-based corporate finance team completed a record month in February as competition ramped up to invest in businesses across the region.
Headed by Christian Mayo and Giles Taylor, 10 transactions made it over the line in just the 28 days afforded.
It began with advising Inflexion on the sale of Bollington Wilson Group to Arthur J Gallagher, strengthening the proposition of the insurance broker’s offering across the region.
Financial services remains an active sector for the team with subsequent completions of the sale of Packetts to Jensten Group and Butterworth Spengler to JM Glendinning.
February ended with the KPMG team advising the shareholders of the UK’s leading redistributor of surplus food and household products, Company Shop, on the £82.5 million sale of the business to Biffa Plc.
The team also advised on LDC’s investment in WCCTV and Great Hill Partners’ investment in BigChange alongside the sales of Rinus Roofing Supplies to Hull-based Cupa Group, Robinson Healthcare to Vernacare and Hedges Direct Group to Fresh Carnation.
Mr Mayo, head of corporate finance in Yorkshire at KPMG, said: “This recent flurry of deal activity shows that, even in challenging trading conditions, there are many local businesses that can still attract significant investment.
“It’s also encouraging to see that the transactions the team has supported during this period cover a range of sectors – from financial services to security and food to horticulture. You only have to consider the valuations that these companies are attracting to gauge the appetite from investors and strategic trade buyers across the region.
“Looking ahead, especially as Covid-19 restrictions begin to ease, we expect interest in investment and sales processes to continue, as business owners look to onboard smart capital from investors to expedite growth – stealing a march on competitors as the economy recovers.”
The total value of all of the deals was over £600 million.
