Experts Back Views On Opportunities Outside London

By Rob Dixon

Legal experts in Yorkshire and the North West have welcomed calls for businesses to recognise the important role that regions outside London will play in short-term future of the private equity market.

Market commentators including Christian Marriott, from private investment firm Equistone Partners Europe, have highlighted in recent weeks that major opportunities remain away from the capital and that these need to be considered.

According to Insider magazine, he added that the regions offered “greater prospects than in many other markets”.

The views have been welcomed from lawyers in Irwin Mitchell’s Corporate and Transactions team, including experts based in the national law firm’s Manchester and Leeds offices.

Sandip Khroud, a legal specialist in Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds-based Corporate and Transactions team, said: “We certainly expect to see the private equity market to pick up as a lot of private equity investors have been holding onto businesses far longer than originally planned.

“IPO exit routes for these businesses are a less attractive option at the moment and therefore we expect to see trade purchases and further private equity investments for these businesses in the region.”

Richard Life, a corporate lawyer based in Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester office, added: “In terms of the North West, we very much agree with this view. The area has strength as a result of its historic manufacturing background and in other key sectors, including telecoms and healthcare – to name a few – where we are seeing much activity.

“A positive example in this sense is North Edge Capital, which has raised its first fund, opened offices in both Leeds and Manchester and recently completed its first transaction.”

“A regional presence provides a public face to an investor and allows them to forge links with a region’s professional community and businesses, which leads to an increase in opportunities and potential deal flow.”

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