South East's Tech Surge Boosts M&A Deals in 2024
Deal News | Feb 17, 2025 | PDT Solicitors
In 2024, the South East of England experienced a significant boost in M&A activity, rising by 24% compared to the previous year, fueled primarily by the technology sector. According to the law firm Cripps, which released its annual South East M&A Barometer, technology transactions nearly doubled from 48% of total deal activity in 2023 to 82% in 2024. This trend underscores the region's emerging stature as a technological hub, prompting many firms to relocate from London. High-growth companies in the region completed 290 transactions, making the South East one of the UK's most active areas for M&A outside the capital city. The vast majority of deals were driven by domestic corporate buyers, comprising 82.4% of transactions, while US investment declined during the year. Factors contributing to this boom include anticipation of tax changes and government incentives supporting tech innovation. Cripps itself completed over 22 deals in October 2024, demonstrating the pace of activity.
Sectors
- Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)
- Technology
- Corporate Finance
Geography
- United Kingdom – The article focuses on M&A activities specific to the South East region of the UK, known for its recent tech boom.
- South East England – Primary focus of the article, detailing significant M&A activity spurred by technology sector growth in the region.
Industry
- Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) – The article revolves around M&A activities in the South East of England, highlighting trends, volume, and contributing factors.
- Technology – Technological transactions dominated the M&A space in the South East, demonstrating a significant rise and influence on the regional market.
- Corporate Finance – Discusses the financial strategies, such as debt and equity finance, that influence corporate growth and transaction trends in the region.
Financials
- 24% – Increase in M&A deal volume in South East England from 2023 to 2024.
- 82% – Proportion of technology transactions in total M&A activity in the South East in 2024.
- 82.4% – Percentage of M&A transactions led by domestic corporate buyers in the South East in 2024.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cripps | Legal Advisor | Company | A leading law firm providing insights and support for M&A activities in the South East through their M&A Barometer report. |
| Rebecca Glazebrook | Corporate Partner | Person | Corporate partner at Cripps commenting on the resilience and growth of the South East M&A market. |
| PDT Solicitors | Source | Company | Provided initial information for the analysis. |