ECB cuts interest rates as UK ‘hesitation’ risks dealmaking strength June 5, 2025 Interest rates in the eurozone have been cut, taking the deposit facility rate to two per cent as fresh data suggested inflation came in just under the European Central Bank (ECB)’s two per cent target rate in May. The cut means the ECB’s rate now stands at two per cent, a halving of rates set two [...]
Foreign companies drive £19bn M&A surge as UK firms ‘attractively valued’ June 3, 2025 Takeovers of British firms reached the highest level in nearly three years as several multi-billion pound transactions made by foreign companies pushed up the value of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), official data has shown. Inward M&A deals in the first three months of the year exceeded £19bn, nearly four times that seen in the last [...]
Is Natwest set for a deal spree after privatisation? May 27, 2025 As Natwest finally breaks from the shackles of government ownership, the banking juggernaut may be gearing up for an acquisition spree. The FTSE 100 giant is speculated to return to privatisation in a matter of days after the government accelerated its sell off over the last year. Shares in the firm rose one per cent [...]
Cyber and AI fuel surge in UK tech M&A deals May 21, 2025 The UK’s software M&A market has hit a record high, with £13.2bn deployed across 420 deals over the past year, marking a 27 per cent year on year rise and revealing the nation’s pivotal role in Europe’s tech investment scene. A recent survey from BearingPoint Capital found that despite escalating macroeconomic headwinds and growing valuation [...]
Org Group acquires UK tech recruitment firm in global expansion May 16, 2025 Multinational professional services firm Org Group has acquired Manchester-based technology recruitment firm Venturi, in a strategic move that expands its presence in Germany and the US, and strengthen its capabilities in digital talent acquisition. The acquisition bolsters the group’s growing portfolio, adding Venturi’s tech expertise to a business that already includes global talent from Morgan [...]
Santander rejected £11bn Natwest bid for UK business May 9, 2025 Santander rebuffed an £11bn bid for its UK retail banking division from Natwest earlier this year because it was was too low. The two lenders are no longer in negotiations, according to people familliar with the matter cited by the Financial Times, despite consistent speculation about the fate of the Spanish financial juggernaut’s UK business. [...]
London still ‘second most attractive market’ for dealmaking post-Brexit May 7, 2025 The UK saw the second highest level of dealmaking between 2018 and 2024, new research has suggested, reflecting London’s status as a key financial hub despite claims its status would be reduced post-Brexit. Mergers and acquisitions in the UK hit $1.14 trillion in value over six years, coming only second to the US where a [...]
Marriott to acquire smart hotel brand CitizenM for £266m April 28, 2025 Marriott International will acquire hotel and lifestyle brand CitizenM for £266m as it looks to expand its select-service and lifestyle lodging offerings. CitizenM, which opened its first hotel in 2008, currently operates 36 open hotels – with 8,544 rooms – across more than 20 cities. The brand’s current pipeline includes three under-construction hotels comprising over 600 [...]
UK bosses to embrace M&A to stay ahead of digital curve February 12, 2025 Nearly all business bosses (99 per cent) said they expect to actively pursue transactions over the next year, according to EY's latest CEO outlook.
Legal & General shares soar as firm sells US insurance business for £1.8bn February 7, 2025 Following the deal, Meiji Yasuda will own L&G's US protection business and have a 20 per cent economic interest in its pension risk transfer (PRT) business.