THE North West private equity market has seen a huge hike in the value of individual deals, according to end of year statistics released by the Centre for Management Buyout Research (CMBOR).
In 2007, the average value of North West deals topped £33m, taking overall deal value to £2.49bn. 2006 figures showed that the average deal was worth just £25m, with completed transactions totalling £2.33bn.
But the impact of aggressive debt pricing following the credit crunch was clear in the second half of 2007, with only one £100m plus deal – the £255m management buyout of Wigan-based Ainscough Crane Hire.
Paul Lupton, head of corporate finance for Deloitte in the North, said: “Overall, the North West had an extremely successful 2007.”
