Having flown under the radar as a team but being well known to our existing client base and professional contacts, the Mark Holt & Co Group Corporate Finance team have had a very busy and successful 2022.

From an economic perspective, 2022 will be remembered as the year that inflation reared its ugly head, interest rate rises came thick and fast and a recession was narrowly avoided in the UK.

However, whilst prices and interest rates were increasing, Corporate Finance transactions were on the rise too with 2022 being a record-breaking year for the Mark Holt & Co Group.

During the 12 months to 31 December 2022, 29 transactions were completed for our clients, with deal value at an all-time high for the Mark Holt & Co Group, totalling an impressive £231 million with transactions ranging from £300k to £60million.

Whilst the majority of the deals in 2022 related to South West based companies, there were also deals on nationally and internationally based businesses.

Key Industries relating to the deals were:

 

  • Care Homes/ Healthcare Providers/ IT Providers to Healthcare
  • Civil Engineering and Groundworks
  • Logistics
  • Commercial Property
  • Tourism and Leisure
  • Manufacturing
  • Insurance brokers

 

Mark Holt & Co Group Managing Partner, Neil Huntley, commented: “2022 was the busiest year ever on deals for clients.  This was on the back of continued growth in all areas of our business, and meant many late evenings and weekends to get deals over the line. Our clients were often selling to larger businesses and we regularly found ourselves on video calls with a screen full of big firm Lawyers and Accountants. Highly skilled but often lacking commercial reality, or an understanding of the emotional aspect of any deal. Our team’s commitment to get the right deal for our clients was exceptional.”

Simon Law, Partner, said: “People often think that a deal is all about headline price and tax impacts.  These are important elements, but in every case the objective is to have a seamless transition from one owner to the next, and practical and human elements are just as key”  He added “We already have many deals in the pipeline for 2023, and expect more to follow.  There has definitely been a shift in entrepreneurs’ desire to continue in the face of economic and political turmoil”.

William Kelley, Corporate Finance Manager, said: “Whilst 2022 was a turbulent year with challenges felt across the board from inflation, interest rate rises and Government instability. Multiples on transactions were healthy and the market was buoyant with business owners and directors keen to seek better returns for their investors and shareholders.  We expect funding to be available for many more deals in the next few years”. He continued… “Assuming your business’s house is in order, there are plenty of acquirers out there who are willing to spend cash on well run businesses with suitable systems and good records in place. The key is to ensure the preparation for a sale is done well before the time comes to market the business.”

Located conveniently off the A38 at Langage Business Park, Plympton near Plymouth. The Mark Holt & Co Group is continuing to expand its Corporate Finance offering whilst growing the whole team.

We offer a range of services, providing tailored advice on mergers and business acquisitions, disposals, management buyouts and raising finance for expansion, supporting business-owners throughout the M&A journey to completion.

If you are considering selling your company, in part or in whole, buying a business, or are looking for ways to finance your growth plans and would like to find out more about the process, please get in touch with a member of the team on 01752 220979.

Alternatively, if you are interested in joining our team, please visit our careers page here.