17th February 2022

GS Verde Eyes Record-Breaking 2022 In M&A

M&A advisory specialist GS Verde Group has said it is set for more success in 2022 after a year when the business’ dealmaking prowess was highlighted by an Experian Market IQ report.

Featuring in both the corporate finance and legal elements of Experian Market IQ’s review, the group was ranked as the most active financial adviser for 2021 by volume and the second most active legal adviser in 2021.

Now, with a pipeline of deals across the UK and Ireland, GS Verde, the only business to rank in both categories of the Experian Market IQ report due to the nature of its multi-discipline M&A advisory team, is forecasting record results for 2022 and expected growth in both staff and office space too.

Nigel Greenaway, chief executive at GS Verde Group, said: “The report by Experian Market IQ was not a surprise to us, as our M&A teams were exceptionally busy during the period reported on, however it is quite some achievement by our teams to rank in both the finance and legal reports, a feat not matched by any other M&A team in Wales.

“Deal activity soared in 2021, and GS Verde has adapted to this elevated pace, meeting the demand for quick results and evolved deal strategies. With the market thriving generally, we have embraced the shift towards digitisation to expand our reach.”

Across the UK, the number of transactions increased in 2021 by 14.3 per cent from the previous year, with deal values in Wales reaching just over £7.9bn, a sharp upsurge on the £3bn total that was recorded for the whole of 2020.

Standout deals for GS Verde during the year include supporting commercial cleaning company A&R Services to secure a Management Buyout, the successful completion of an Employee Ownership Trust scheme at Paramount Interiors, and the cross-border acquisition of Abergavenny Fine Foods, further opening up Wales and Welsh business to the world.

Greenaway added: “Throughout 2021 the GS Verde Group reached new levels of growth; opening our first international office, seeing a 30 per cent increase of staff since the middle of the year, including a number of senior appointments, and securing our best year of trading yet.

“There is much to look forward to in the year coming. M&A activity is forecasted to remain, if not go beyond the elevated levels seen last year, and GS Verde will develop upon our growth in the UK and internationally.”