UK, 12 October 2026 - Run of completions demonstrates continued appetite for high-quality businesses
Debrett’s has completed 12 transactions in as many weeks, marking a significant period of activity for its Advisory team and continued momentum for the business.
The transactions span technology, infrastructure, property, healthcare, engineering and business services. They include the sale of Mway Communications to Equans, part of the Bouygues Group; YFM Equity Partners’ investment in BE Design; the sale of Forge Care to Endurance Capital; the sale of Tandem to Audria; MML Capital Partners’ investment in IFOS Group; the MBO of AIC, backed by Foresight Group; the sale of WhiteSpider to AUREOS Group, backed by EMK Capital; and the sale of Organica UK to Holiferm.
A further four undisclosed transactions have also completed during the period.
The run comes against a more selective dealmaking backdrop. Experian MarketIQ reported UK M&A volumes down 30% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, while aggregate disclosed deal values rose 36%.[1] Yet competition for quality assets remains strong. Dealsuite’s latest UK&I M&A Monitor found that the average number of serious buyers for each mid-market business brought to market rose to 8.5 in the first half of 2026, up from 7.9 a year earlier.[2]
Clive Hatchard, Head of Advisory at Debrett’s, said:
“For good-quality assets, the market is extremely active. Buyers are more selective, but when the right business comes to market, we are seeing real competition.
What has changed is the level of scrutiny. Buyers are asking harder questions around earnings, resilience and where future growth is going to come from. That puts even more emphasis on preparation and making sure a business is positioned properly before going to market.
For shareholders with a strong business, there is significant appetite from both trade and financial investors. Our job is to create genuine competition and make sure it translates into the best possible outcome.”
James England, Managing Partner at Debrett’s, said:
“The summer is supposed to be our quiet time! Completing that many deals in such a short space of time is extraordinary. I’m grateful to the team for their hard work and to Clive for his exemplary leadership.
Even more encouraging is our pipeline, which suggests this is just the beginning. Our Advisory, Investments and Wealth Management offerings have been built for entrepreneurs who value the old-fashioned decency and care synonymous with our brand, combined with the latest tools and innovations to deliver in the most efficient way.
Our activity levels and client feedback tell us that Debrett’s is becoming the investment bank for SMEs and their entrepreneurs.”
About Debrett’s
Debrett’s is a 250-year-old institution which, in more recent times, has been reimagined as a full-service investment bank for entrepreneurs. It has a team of 60 professionals working across offices in London, Birmingham and Reading, specialising in M&A Advisory, Investments, Wealth Management and Heritage services.
The business is chaired by former LDC CEO Darryl Eales, with a Board including Inflexion Senior Partner Richard Swann and others with successful careers across finance, private equity and banking. Its Advisory team is led by Clive Hatchard, alongside an expanding team of experienced M&A professionals.
Sources
[1] Experian MarketIQ, Mergers and Acquisitions Review: Q1 2026, published 5 June 2026. Figures compare UK deal volumes and aggregate disclosed deal values with Q1 2025.
[2] Dealsuite, UK&I M&A Monitor: H1 2026, published 17 August 2026. Based on responses from 102 M&A advisory firms covering UK and Irish businesses with revenues of £1 million to £200 million. Buyer numbers compare H1 2026 with H1 2025.
