The volume of North West deals rose by 18.9 per cent during 2015 as the UK enjoyed the strongest year for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in eight years, according to new research.
The latest data from Experian found there were 742 deals in the region last year, up from 624 in 2014. However, total deal values decreased by 12.6 per cent to £10.5bn over the same period.
The overall UK M&A market experienced its busiest year since 2007, with deal volumes rising by 10.3 per cent year-on-year to 6,532. And the total value of deals was £433.4bn, the highest recorded since 2000's £576bn.
Experian said deals at the smaller end of the market (between £500,000 and £10m) surged by 12 per cent to 1,960, while transactions worth in excess of £1bn jumped by 21.7 per cent to 56.
Jane Turner from Experian said: "The UK's M&A market returned to pre-recession levels in 2015 with substantial increases in deal numbers and values.
"It's encouraging to see dealmakers are looking at smaller companies to make investments so SMEs can get the expertise and funding they need to help them grow.
"Overseas investors have also shown confidence in the UK economy by investing in greater numbers, but both domestic and international dealmakers will now be conducting thorough research as they hunt for businesses ripe for investment in 2016."
