In the Spring edition of UK Private Company Director, the quarterly newsletter for directors of owner-managed, family, and private equity-backed businesses, Jim Keeling highlights growing optimism in the UK private M&A sector, despite a lacklustre start in 2024.

This growing confidence is partly fuelled by expectations of interest rate cuts as inflation edges towards its 2% target, boosting the economy and making funding more accessible for potential buyers in the market.

Additionally, both private equity and trade buyers, with large funds at their disposal, are showing greater willingness to put those funds to use and are actively seeking deals.

The upcoming general election, expected to result in a change of government, could also spur economic activity, with some business owners considering selling now ahead of potential Capital Gains Tax increases under a new administration.

And with a big summer of sports ahead, dare we hope that success on the sports fields could translate into redoubled optimism in the business world? It will certainly be beneficial for some sectors of the economy.

Read the newsletter here.