Recovering sectors help Catalyst achieve a record Q3

BIRMINGHAM-based advisory firm Catalyst Corporate Finance has reported that it had a record third quarter of 2013.

The firm completed six deals in Q3 with a total value of £150m.

Three of these deals were in the consumer sector, including the growth capital investment in Coventry-based Bath Empire and the MBO of Henley-in-Arden and Redditch-based Cruise.co.

With rising consumer confidence, Catalyst expects to see more deals in this sector in the next 12 months.

Another sector which continues to be at the forefront of the recovery is business services. Activity in the UK services sector grew at its fastest pace since 1997 in the third quarter of the year. Mergers and acquisitions activity reflects this growth and it has been a strong sector for Catalyst with two deals, the MBO of YSC and the sale of Navigant Consulting, in the third quarter.

Managing partner, Andy Currie said: “We are seeing both private equity and trade acquirers displaying more confidence in their investments.

“The appearance of stability in the equity markets and signs of real economic growth is helping to build this confidence and we expect to see an increase in deal activity in the next 12 months.

“Our pipeline remains strong with some high quality deals due to complete in the next few months, so I remain optimistic for 2014 and beyond.”