2021: A great deal of uncertainty

As 2021 gets underway, the direction that UK plc is heading is far from clear. The pandemic continues to do its worst as the country adjusts to its new relationship with Europe.

However, M&A experts believe that despite all the uncertainty, the appetite for deals witnessed throughout the worst months of Covid-19 will remain strong – with some even predicting record activity in the months ahead.

Lancashire-based accountancy and business advisory firm MHA Moore and Smalley advised on corporate transactions and fundraising deals with a value of more than £200m in the 10 months to October 2020.

Andrew Feeke, its head of corporate finance, believes widely anticipated changes to the capital gains tax regime next year, together with strong liquidity among funders, could lead to a record volume of deals between January 1 and April 5.