The Corporate Finance team in the North East at UK top 10 Accountancy firm Azets is celebrating after delivering a second successive year of record results. This follows the news that the team were also ranked 2nd in the Experian M&A review of most active North East financial advisors, and 5th in the UK standings.
2022 saw a range of transactions for the team including several sales of local businesses to overseas buyers and continued prevalence of Venture Capital and Private Equity in their deal flow. Sales to employee ownership trusts have been a frequent transaction type and the team has had repeated success in the care and technology sectors.
The team has also continued to expand and invest in key talent, with the promotion of Lee Humble to Corporate Finance Partner and Mike Willliams to Associate Director and the appointments of Jamie Hepworth and John Aitken as Corporate Finance Senior Executives.
In the North East Dealmaker Awards, the firm was shortlisted for Corporate Finance Advisory Firm of the Year, Lee Humble shortlisted for Corporate Finance Adviser of the Year and Steve Plaskitt shortlisted for Dealmaker of the Year.
Lee Humble, Corporate Finance Partner, said: “Our team has performed strongly in the last 12 months, and we are pleased with what we have achieved for our clients with some complex and demanding transactions. It’s also massively encouraging to be completing such strategic deals for North East businesses, helping them to grow at a time when the economy needs it most.
Our experienced and trusted team give our clients confidence whatever the nature, size or time constraints involved, and we have a strong and varied deals pipeline for at least the next 12 months.
Although the economy has become more challenging, capital remains available and there is no let-up in the appetite for mid-market corporate deals.
However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that quality is key and businesses looking to sell need to be well prepared and able to withstand rigorous due diligence. Given our strength of relationship with buyers, investors and funders we are well placed to support a variety of client needs and we remain confident of what the new year will bring.
There are still many businesses in the region with a desire or need to transact. With the rumoured changes to Capital Gains Tax, we are also seeing an increase in companies getting in touch to accelerate their plans. My advice to companies would be if you’re thinking of doing something in the next couple of years to start thinking about it now and get expert advice.”