What can we expect from the South East M&A market for the rest of 2024?

The world is still recovering from multiple geopolitical events, including conflict and elections, which continue to create macroeconomic uncertainty for everyone. How businesses navigate this uncertainty will likely define their success in the coming years. This is true of all entities, whether it’s growing a business in a competitive space, or aiming to buy future-proof companies with the right business models. While we are seeing M&A activity grow in the South East, particularly for technology-related businesses, the next 12 months will show whether it can be sustained. What’s certain is that technology will continue to play a vital role for both buyers and sellers. AI regulation in the UK is very likely, but when and, in what form, is currently unknown. H2 2024 will see the world adjust to a potentially new political landscape, especially in the UK and US. Once there is more clarity on the focus of these governments (including tax), business owners in particular will benefit from certainty and predictability.