EY’s North dealmakers upbeat after a strong first quarter of activity

EY’s North Strategy and Transactions teams acted on 15 completed deals worth a total of around £1bn in the first three months of 2021.

In Yorkshire the team supported the acquisition of nutritional supplement manufacturer Bee Health by US-based INW, Novax’s acquisition of clean label food ingredients specialist Ulrick & Short, Elaghmore on the acquisition of fruit and desserts supplier Orchard House Fruits and advised on the LDC-backed merger of Lomond Capital with Harrogate-headquartered Linley & Simpson to create a national lettings and estate agency group.

Mark Clephan, corporate finance partner at EY in the North, said: “We’ve had a strong start to the year with some meaty deals for well-known regional businesses. Many of these deals have involved private equity, underlining the North PE community’s trust in our expertise and demonstrating the appetite to invest at the moment – something I expect will continue for the rest of the year.”

Mark Allcroft, Strategy and Transactions Partner for EY across Yorkshire and the North East, said: “The deals we have supported across Yorkshire have been a real mix of private equity, listed businesses and private businesses looking to grow through acquisition. It’s testament to the mix of businesses we have in this region, but all have had one thing in common: they are continuing to invest in growth.”