This week Simon Ward, Managing Partner at Springboard Corporate Finance, features in Insider Media giving his commentary on the possible rise in deal volume for 2025, extracts below.
Springboard Corporate Finance expects deal volumes to rise during 2025, a partner at the firm has told Insider, as the business looks to build on its momentum and strengthen its team. The dealmaker also highlighted potential key trends, with AI remaining a “hotbed of activity”.
Springboard experienced “strong levels of activity” last year, with Simon Ward labelling this a reflection of the “quality of our team and the attractiveness of the opportunities we bring to market”.
However, “the landscape has not been without its challenges”.
“Processes are taking longer than usual as buyers navigate heightened economic uncertainty, leading to more cautious decision-making and extended diligence periods. This has required us to be even more proactive in managing transactions and maintaining momentum throughout the process.
“A clear trend we’ve observed is a flight to quality, with buyers focusing on robust, well-performing assets. This has emphasized the importance of presenting businesses with strong fundamentals, clear growth trajectories, and minimal risk.
“While these dynamics have added complexity to transactions, they’ve also underlined the value of our expertise in positioning businesses effectively and navigating a shifting market.”
According to Experian Market IQ, deal activity declined in the Midlands during the first nine months of the year but Simon Ward said H2 2024 “marked a turning point”, with deal activity “rebounding notably as certainty returned to the market post-general election and Budget announcements”.
Despite the noted challenges, Springboard expects “deal volumes to continue to rise in 2025”.
Ward is anticipating “several key growth areas that are poised for a spike in M&A activity”.
“Businesses with exposure to the public sector are expected to benefit significantly from the government spending increases signalled in the Budget which traditionally construction and infrastructure operators have gained the most from,” he said. “What will be particularly interesting is whether the push for greater efficiency within the NHS provides a boost for technology and outsourcing companies which are well-positioned to meet the demand for innovation and cost-saving measures within healthcare.
“Outside the well-publicised interest from investors in professional services, and health and safety operators, we’re seeing increased interests in some of our clients in the artificial intelligence space.
“AI remains a hotbed of activity, with increasing applications across industries attracting substantial investment as private equity scrambles to stay ahead of the curve.”
Looking ahead, the dealmaker noted that the company is “looking to make a small number of strategic new hires to further enhance our team and capabilities and keep us ahead in the regional M&A market”.
He added: “For us, 2025 is very much about building on our momentum and continuing to grow as a team while making a real difference for our clients.”