UK buyout value falls 14% in Q2

While overall European buyout value increased between Q1 and Q2 this year, the UK and Ireland region lagged, but remained the biggest value region with all deals worth €4.1bn.

Ireland saw the largest buyout of the quarter, with the €1bn acquisition of Avolon by Cinven, CVC and Oak Hill. Other major buyouts in the region include Apax's €631m deal for Sophos and a €565m acquisition of DFS by Advent International.

The UK remains Europe's biggest growth capital market, accounting for a third of all investments with 58 deals in the quarter. However, this includes the restructuring investment in Gala Coral, indicating some UK investors are now paying the price of the boom in buyout activity seen in the region before the financial crisis.

In the early-stage segment, the UK was ahead once again with 13 transactions. However, it only just edged ahead of Germany, which saw 11 venture investments.

For full stats covering all European regions, download the unquote" Private Equity Barometer from our research centre.

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• Topics
• UK / Ireland
• Buyouts
• Early-stage
• Expansion
• Candover