Cheltenham-based law firm BPE has reported that it has just helped a long-standing client buy two
new businesses, revealing just how active the corporate team at the firm has become — 100 deals valued at £600 million in the last year.
The firm played a key role in long-standing client Partners&’s acquisition of Richard Thompson Insurance Brokers and Regent Healthcare, moves that add to the business’s already considerable insurance advisory offering.
Adam Kean, a partner at BPE and the new head of corporate at the St James' Square-based firm, said his team expected the positive moves from businesses to continue, reflecting growth in sectors including health, tech and energy.
'The team completed over 100 deals last year with a combined value of circa £600 million. This represented a 24 per cent increase on the previous year, no mean feat for a team based outside of a major city and with a young team considerably smaller than competitors,’ said Kean.
‘Our current workload consists of a range of deals from buy and build strategies such as Partners& through to private equity and venture capital transactions.
‘Everything I see and read from industry advisers and insiders reflects that deal activity is on the rise and will continue to increase through the latter part of 2023.
‘A key driver is that well capitalised companies are looking to make acquisitions, and this is what we are seeing at BPE.
‘Even though the economy is challenging, some sectors like health, tech and energy are looking to grow,' Keen continued.
‘We cannot underestimate the impact of ESG (environmental, social and governance) on deal activity as some businesses, especially in the energy sector, look to acquire businesses to improve their capabilities and ESG profile, which is of huge importance to investors and shareholders alike.'
