South East: RSM tops table of M&A advisers in region

Audit, tax and consulting firm RSM has topped the Experian league table of the most active M&A advisers in the South East in the first half of the year.

This is the second year running that RSM, which has offices in Gatwick, Tunbridge Wells, Guildford, Southampton, Reading and Basingstoke has topped the table.

In total, RSM advised on 18 deals in the region in the first quarter despite a decline in the market overall.

According to the Experian report, there were 486 deals in the South East in the first six months of 2018, a 14% fall on the 565 deals recorded during the same period in 2017. Deal values fell by an equivalent amount, from £27.6 billion in H1 2017 to £24.2b, representing a 12% decline overall.

The South East made up 14.8% of total UK deal volume in the first half and 11.3% of total UK deal value for H1 2018.

Nationally RSM firm took second place overall in the Experian rankings.

Kirsty Sandwell, head of corporate finance at RSM in the South East said: "Despite the political and economic uncertainty that we are currently facing, deal volumes are still holding up and I'm delighted that we were able to retain our position as the most active adviser in the region.

"Despite the slight drop in deals in the South East over the first half-year, there remains strong interest from investors for well-presented businesses. For those that prepare well, great deals can still be done."