News archive
Welcome to the Clearwater news archive.
Read about our previous deals and support provided to communities.
Read about our previous deals and support provided to communities.
Industrials sector comment - November 2009
As someone sensible once said, you should avoid making predictions, especially about the future. As we come to the end of a year that for many has seen the poorest trading conditions in recent memory and left the balance sheets of even our largest businesses in need of significant financial repair, you would have thought that only the criminally insane or paid economist (spot the difference) would attempt to predict what 2010 may have in store for M&A.
Technology sector mergers and acquisitions comment - November 2009
The second half of 2009 kicked off with a flurry of activity from newly listed consolidator Daisy Group as it stamped its authority on the telecoms reseller market.
Control business generates fourfold return for PE House
Intelligent buildings specialist i2S Group Limited has sold its controls division to Carrier Corporation.
Automotive Industry continues shift towards Asia Pacific, says IMAP report
The automotive industry is continuing to see a shift in leadership from the US to the Asia Pacific region, although Eastern European countries are also becoming favourite manufacturing destinations, according to a report by IMAP, the global organisation of merger and acquisition (M&A) advisory firms.
IMAP in top 5 for emerging market deals
IMAP, the global organisation of merger and acquisition (M&A) advisory firms represented by Clearwater Corporate Finance in the UK, has been ranked in the top five for mid-market M&A transactions in three key emerging markets, according to Thomson Reuters League Tables.
Industrials sector comment - September 2009
Private Equity standstill or renewed optimism?
Consumer sector comment - September 2009
The economic news flow continues to present a slightly more optimistic situation. Whether this is the green shoots of a lasting recovery or just a short term bounce as the economy bumps along the bottom is for others to speculate.
Technology sector mergers and acquisitions comment - September 2009
This month it was all about IT services with Xerox's announcement that it would acquire Affiliated Computer Services for $6.4bn coming only just over a week after Dell announced that it would buy into services with the $3.9bn acquisition of Perot Systems.
Clearwater advises management in £115 million IT deal
1st – The Exchange, a leading provider of technology and e-commerce solutions to the financial services sector, has undergone a buy-out from parent company Vertex. The £115m deal was backed by Lloyds Development Capital (LDC).
The Hut Group Announces Major Investment
The Hut Group, which has taken the number one spot in The Sunday Times ‘Tech Track 100’ as the fastest-growing private technology firm in the UK, has announced a multi-million pound investment.
IMAP reports rise in cross-border deals
IMAP, the global network of merger and acquisition (M&A) advisory firms of which Clearwater Corporate Finance is a member, has reported a rise in cross-border deals during the first half of 2009.
Clearwater helps find a buyer for High & Mighty chain
Men’s clothing chain High & Mighty has been sold to one of the UK’s leading direct home shopping retailers, N Brown.
Former Bank director joins Clearwater to help businesses source funding
Peter McKeown has joined Clearwater Corporate Finance as a senior consultant. His role will be to help businesses with reviewing their funding structures, assist with negotiations with their Banks and to find new sources of funding.
New Head for Clearwater's Debt advisory and Restructuring Group
Clearwater Corporate Finance has boosted its Debt advisory and Restructuring team with the appointment of Chris Smith as its new head and as a partner in its London office.
Support Services sector mergers and acquisitions comment - July 2009
Deal volumes are down yet again this month but it’s not all bad news, the UK’s services sector unexpectedly surged in July to grow at its fastest pace in more than a year according to the CIPS/Markit Purchasing Managers’ Index, igniting hopes that the economy may have started growing again.
Survey aims to find business view of new 50 per cent tax rate
Will the UK’s new 50 per cent income tax rate for high earners raise the additional revenue the government needs to restore its balance sheet? Or will the higher tax rate prove counterproductive by encouraging owner managers to sell their business, work less or move elsewhere? And will the government’s next move be to raise capital gains tax?
New 50p tax rate ' could trigger a wave of MBOs '
The new 50 per cent income tax rate for high earners could encourage many owner managers to sell up and trigger a round of management buy-outs according to Clearwater Corporate Finance.
Consumer sector comment - July 2009
Throughout this year there have been several themes in retail.
Business values recovering in IT sector, says Clearwater
The value of IT businesses is on the rise following the lows of 2008, says Clearwater Corporate Finance.
Pre-pack deals need ' independence and transparency'
The use of independent specialists who can rapidly find buyers for failing businesses could help to end the controversy over pre-pack administrations, says Clearwater Corporate Finance.
Clearwater helps secure new investor for Borders
The UK’s leading book retailer Borders has undergone a management buy-out backed by Valco Capital Partners (VCP).
Support Services sector mergers and acquisitions comment - June 2009
Whilst deal volumes are down on last month, optimism returns with the long awaited acquisition by Charterhouse Capital of Wood Mckenzie, the energy research consultancy, this year's largest European private equity sale bringing hope that buyout activity will pick up in the second half of the year.
Property entrepreneur acquires control of ship repair business
Cardiff-based property entrepreneur Paul Bailey has taken ownership of ship repair and marine services businesses A&P Group and A&P Ports & Properties for an undisclosed sum. Previously he was a 50 per cent shareholder with management.
Technology sector mergers and acquisitions comment - June 2009
After last month's bumper crop of deals it was a bit of a case of back to earth with a bump for technology deals in the UK in June.
Industrials sector comment - June 2009
The three major concerns of corporate borrowers large and small are cited as;
- The availability of finance for the coming 12 - 24 months
- Covenant compliance under existing facilities
- The increased cost of credit
Consumer sector comment - June 2009
There is no doubt that having a strong brand that connects with consumers is making a difference in the current climate.
Healthcare sector mergers and acquisitions comment - May 2009
We have seen a marked increase in M&A activity in the last few months across all segments of the healthcare industry, a trend that we see set to continue into the second half of the year.
Technology sector mergers and acquisitions comment - May 2009
This month it feels like we have been hearing those magic words "green shoots" bandied around with an ever-growing degree of confidence. There seems to be a general sway towards a feeling of optimism in the market although it's difficult to put your finger on exactly why it should be the case apart from the good weather.
Support Services sector mergers and acquisitions comment - May 2009
Bamboo shoots, hope buds, breaks in the clouds……… all suggestions for an alternative to the phrase of the moment “green shoots”.
Industrials sector comment - May 2009
As a hugely important sector it is no secret that 2008 was a year of two halves in the marketplace for oil and gas related deals.
Consumer sector comment - May 2009
We are nearly half way through the year and the mood amongst retailers and investors is still very much one of wait and see.
IMAP ranks first in completed M&A transactions in eastern Europe, the Nordic region and Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey selected as destination for IMAP’s Global M&A Symposium in October.
Telecoms company enters data centre market with £4.85m acquisition
AIM listed Cantono plc, has sold its Hampshire data centre operation to SSE Telecom, the communications arm of Scottish & Southern Energy plc, for £4.85m.
Healthcare sector mergers and acquisitions comment - April 2009
This month featured the release of China’s new healthcare reform plan which sees the Chinese government digging deep to reverse many years of under-funding.For the three years from 2009 to 2011 the government will double its annual expenditure on healthcare, equating to 5.7% of GDP.
Consumer sector comment - April 2009
Better news....!!
A clear picture is emerging of who the winners are in this roller coaster economy. Great fashion brands whether it be High Street as in TopShop, online at Asos or designer labels at Liberty are appealing to customer's need for the latest looks.
MBO team take full control at finance consultancy
Management buy-out of a specialist financial services consultancy, from its long-term private equity backers The Carlyle Group and Net Partners
Opportunity knocks for industrial investors in chemicals sector
The current economic climate offers an ideal expansion opportunity for industrial investors and smaller companies in the chemicals sector, according to mergers and acquisitions advisers Clearwater Corporate Finance.
Clearwater's Debt Advisory team advises on the refinancing of Denby Pottery
Denby Pottery, the 200-year-old manufacturer of premium casual tableware has been acquired by its management team.
Mergers & Acquisitions in the Global Valves Industry – April 2009
The end of the first quarter of 2009 is an opportunity to review how the economic landscape is impacting on the valves industry.
The Hut Group acquires Zavvi
The Hut Group is today announcing the acquisition of Zavvi, the movie, games and music retailer.
Clearwater welcomes leading US firm to IMAP
Clearwater Corporate Finance has strengthened its international organisation, IMAP, with the addition of leading New York based firm, Morgan Joseph. IMAP now has offices in 40 countries worldwide, helping companies with their cross border merger and acquisition strategies.
Project management company in buy-out
One of the North West’s leading industrial project management companies has undergone a management buy-out.
Food and Beverage sector mergers and acquisitions comment - January 2009
There are no prizes for guessing what will dominate the Food and Beverage M&A Market in 2009. To paraphrase Bill Clinton, ‘It’s the economy stupid’.
Time to nominate your CEOS for the BVCA CEO Awards 2009 supported by Clearwater Corporate Finance
Nominations are now open for the BVCA CEO Awards 2009, the first industry awards event dedicated to demonstrating the contribution private equity and venture capital makes to businesses. Simon Walker, CEO, BVCA, invites you to nominate your CEOs now…
Europeans shop for UK businesses on back of strong euro
European companies are taking advantage of the weak pound to snap up UK businesses, according to Clearwater Corporate Finance.
Clearwater honoured at Acquisitions Monthly awards
Clearwater Corporate Finance has been named Mid Market Adviser of the Year for deals under £150 million in the 2009 Acquisitions Monthly Awards.
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