Private equity exits remained buoyant in the north west in 2015, with 26 transactions worth in excess of £2bn, according to figures from the Centre for Management Buyout Research.
The research, sponsored by Equistone Partners Europe, reveals that the region ended the year with the highest number of exits in the north for the third consecutive year, second only to London.
There have been a number of high profile exits to the public markets in the North West this year, including the £725m IPO of Shawbrook Bank achieving an exit for Pollen Street Capital in April, along with Inflexion Private Equity-backed On The Beach joining the stock market with a £240m listing in September.
The region has also enjoyed a strong buyout market over the last 12 months, with 25 new buyouts completing in 2015, and the North West retaining its position as the most active market in the North in terms of volume.
Steve O’Hare, Partner at Equistone Partners Europe in the North of England, said: “The North West private equity market has demonstrated its resilience in 2015 with the appetite for buying and selling businesses remaining high over the last 12 months.
"Private equity houses have different potential exit routes to consider for their investments, with the public markets still providing one route as proven by Inflexion’s sale of On The Beach.
“The market has gained momentum towards the end of the year and we expect both the investment and exit markets to remain strong in 2016 due to the high level of latent debt and equity funding available, combined with the quality businesses based in the north west.”
