Dains corporate finance team hits national top 20 after ‘landmark’ Q1

Dains has revealed that its corporate finance team has officially entered into the national top 20 of deal advisers for the first time, following a “landmark” first quarter. 

Having completed eight M&A transactions in the first quarter alone, the firm had the third most active corporate finance team in the Midlands and 20th in the UK overall, according to Experian’s M&A review for the period. 

The most significant deals of the quarter included: Linnaeus’ purchase of Rutland Veterinary; the sale of Kolkem to Quaker Houghton, a US chemical company; the management buyout of Freshview; and a substantial Virgin Money fundraising for Greenhatch, a chartered surveyor firm, which follows Dains’ prior advisory on its EOT transaction.

Recently acquired by the Dains Group in January, Consilium Chartered Accountants facilitated its first transaction as part of the group, successfully advising on the sale of PJs Foods, a food-to-go manufacturer, to Tiffin Sandwiches.

Consilium also advised HVAC specialist Cleartech Group on its acquisition of ECB (Water Solutions).

Dains’ surge in deal activity follows its acquisition of Barnes Roffe, which was its largest so far and the second since receiving private equity investment from IK Partners. 

Roy Farmer, corporate finance partner at Dains, said: “Q1 has been a fantastic start to the year for the corporate finance team and the wider Dains Group. The momentum we’ve built – both in deal volume and the quality of transactions – is a testament to the talent and dedication across our business.

“It’s an incredibly exciting time to be part of the Dains journey, as we continue to grow our national presence and deliver outstanding outcomes for our clients.”

He added: “With a strong pipeline and the support of our expanded group, I’m optimistic about what the rest of the year holds.”