Mazars notches record deal count in 2016

Nick Johnson, corporate finance partner at the Birmingham office of Mazars.

The Birmingham office of international accountancy firm Mazars saw a record number of deals complete in 2016.

Corporate finance partner Nick Johnson at the Birmingham office of international tax, accountancy and advisory firm Mazars said that 2017 is already looking promising.

“Birmingham is a great centre of M&A that has rediscovered its identity and is going from strength to strength – new arrivals on the investment front such as Northedge and Palatine should encourage even greater activity.

“Mazars entered the New Year with an exciting pipeline of mandates and opportunities which promise great things,” he said.

The sale of precision engineer Clamason Industries to a management buy-out supported by Connection Capital completed just before the turn of the year and capped a highly successful period for the team, which has advised several deals on both the buy-side and sell-side.

In addition, Mr Johnson acted on the management buyout of Home from Hospital, the acquisition of Bromford Industries and the sale of Scaffold Erection Services.

His transaction services partner, David Preston, similarly advised on Prohire Group’s acquisition of Sunrent and Florette’s purchase of Axgro, while Mazars were also involved in Hills Numberplates’ growth funding deal involving Finance Birmingham and Next Wave Partners’ acquisition of Roof-Maker.

Mr Preston said: “It would be foolish to assume the coming months will be plain sailing and of course there will be challenges ahead.

“Nevertheless, we know that there is a significant amount of domestic deal activity and exchange rate movements will continue to offer value to overseas acquirers.

“Well run and well managed businesses will always be attractive acquisition targets and we expect exciting things to happen in the coming months.”