It’s odd to be writing an article about the corporate finance market at a time when globally there is so much uncertainty.
There is a good chance that at the time of publication, my call for optimism might be misplaced – for that, I can only apologise! But as we contemplate what the rest of 2026 has in store for the corporate finance community across Northamptonshire I think it’s fair to say that there are encouraging signs of momentum, as confidence gradually returns to the deal-making community despite a challenging economic backdrop.
Over the past 12 to 18 months, businesses across the region have had to navigate a complex mix of economic uncertainty, tax rises, inflationary pressures and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. As we exited 2025, there really felt like there were glimmering signs of hope – buyers willing to take a more measured and strategic approach to transactions; management teams refocusing and repositioning, ready to embrace and pursue growth opportunities.
One thing is for sure, Northamptonshire has always benefited from a diverse and resilient business base, driven largely because of the breadth of sectors operating across the region. From advanced manufacturing and logistics through to technology, automotive and food production, the local economy off ers a diverse mix that continues to appeal to both investors and private equity, as well as trade buyers. Th is diversity has helped insulate the market from more pronounced slowdowns, perhaps felt in other regions where there may be a heavier reliance on one or two key sectors.
Our location means we are ideally placed to launch and grow a business. With its strong infrastructure, growing talent pool and proximity to London, Birmingham and being central to the Oxford–Cambridge arc, Northamptonshire continues to attract increasing levels of investment – both from the UK and overseas. This is translating into a steady stream of deals involving high-growth businesses, particularly in the tech and digital sectors. For those businesses that can leverage technology to scale growth, both private equity and international buyers will continue to be attracted to these markets. Buyers are still out there, and they’re still keen to invest but they’re becoming even more selective. There’s a real focus on quality, with strong management teams, robust fi nancials and clear growth stories being the driving force.
The financing environment has also shifted. While traditional bank lending remains an important part of the picture, businesses are increasingly exploring alternative sources of funding, including private credit and specialist lenders. This is particularly relevant for businesses looking to fund acquisitions or support growth plans, where flexibility and speed can be critical. As the funding landscape becomes more diverse, it’s important for businesses to take advice early and Howes Percival is incredibly lucky to have a specialist banking and finance team, led by Simon Warburton and Faye Meredith, who are experienced in all manner of acquisition finance, property finance and asset based lending, all of which are crucial to deal financing.
Whilst activity levels have not dramatically fallen, a consistent message across the market is that transactions are typically taking longer to complete, with more detailed due diligence now the norm. At the same time, deal structures have become more sophisticated, with earn-outs and deferred consideration frequently used to bridge valuation gaps between buyers and sellers. All sides are having to work a bit harder to get deals done now but the result is often a better-structured, well thought through transaction and, ultimately, more sustainable outcomes for everyone involved.
What have we been up to?
Despite the more cautious backdrop, there have been a number of notable success stories across the region, with Howes Percival advising on a range of high-profile transactions throughout 2025 and into 2026. In our last financial year, I’m delighted that our national Corporate & Banking team completed £828m worth of deals – the highest annual total recorded by the firm. The team has grown substantially following a period of sustained investment over the last four years to 10 partners and 37 members of staff across the firm’s offices. However, whilst we pride ourselves on having a national reach, we remain at the heart of our local communities.
Significant recent deals the Corporate & Banking team locally have advised on include:
- Advising the shareholders of award-winning travel agency, Millington Travel, on the sale of the business to the UK’s largest independent travel agency, Hays Travel Limited.
- Acting for the Milton Keynes-based UK arm of Fortune 250 US-based international automotive retailer Group 1 Automotive Inc. on its UK wide acquisition and disposals programme.
- Advising the owners of PJ Care on the complex and high-value sale of the company, a well-recognised provider of multi-disciplinary care to adults and owner of numerous award winning specialist neurological care units.
- Representing the management team of Rapidrop Global, a leading UK-based manufacturer and supplier of fire prevention and suppression equipment, on a multi-million-pound investment from growth funding provider BGF.
- Acting for DX Network Services Limited, a leading provider of logistics solutions across parcel, freight, document, fulfilment and final mile, on its acquisition of HBC Logistics Ltd, a logistics and same day services business in Bedfordshire.
- Acting for the shareholders of Ridgway Machines Limited, the leading manufacturer of precision taping, winding machines and cabling for the electrical and energy industries, on its acquisition by Tokamak Energy Ltd, the UK’s leading fusion company.
I think it would be naïve to suggest that global conflicts will not affect UK deals throughout 2026 – external pressures will remain ever more difficult to predict and manage. However, notwithstanding that, I think the outlook for corporate finance activity across Northamptonshire is one of cautious optimism. I’m delighted to now be leading our national corporate and banking practice group at such an exciting time for growth and development across the firm.
Ultimately, strong businesses, entrepreneurial leadership and sector diversity (both internally at the fi rm and externally with our client base) will continue to provide a solid foundation for growth and we will strive to be at the forefront of deal doing locally wherever possible. Whether you are exploring growth, investment or an exit, taking advice early can make a real difference.
To learn more about how businesses are supported through every stage of the deal cycle, visit the Howes Percival website.
Partner, Corporate
Howes Percival
