Last week we hosted a Networking dinner with Spayne Lindsay & Co LLP at The Pem Restaurant.
We believe the evening was a great success, filled with interesting conversations with senior leaders from the consumer sector and great food by chef Sally Abe.
Spayne Lindsay provided some great insight in to the latest M&A activity:
"In 2023, European Consumer M&A experienced a decline in deal volume and value, particularly in H2, attributed to the post-Covid slowdown and global interest rate hikes, notably in the UK. Despite challenges, hotspots emerged, especially in consumer health. The private equity landscape, marked by a mature industry and trends like buy-and-build platforms, influenced the market. The return of traditional banks and debt market stability is instilling confidence. Entrepreneurs are considering exits amid market uncertainties, and large corporates are focusing on portfolio rationalization. Notably, the sale of Forno d’Asolo Group exemplifies the dynamic landscape, reflecting challenges and opportunities. This trend of private equity partnering with family-owned businesses may unlock interesting deals. Overall, a blend of push and pull factors is driving M&A, fostering optimism for increased deal activity in 2024, with larger PE funds launching significant sellsides."
A special thanks to our co-hosts Paul Satchell and Shaun Brownell and our other guests for joining us.
We look forward to hosting more events like this in the future!