Business

Tughans tops Northern Ireland deal league in the first six months of 2020

Patrick Brown
Patrick Brown Patrick Brown

TUGHANS led the field in the volume of corporate deals struck in Northern Ireland during the first half of this year, the latest report from Experian Market IQ shows.

In a fast-changing financial landscape private equity funded half of all transactions in the north compared with just 22 per cent of deals during the same period last year with investment favouring food and drink, tech and healthcare sectors.

Just 58 transactions were recorded so far this year, a 65 per cent decline on the 165 during the corresponding period last year.

Tughans remains the front runner having been involved in 19 of those transactions, seven of which made it into the top ten list for Northern Ireland, including advising BGF on its £10m investment into Decora Blinds.

Managing partner Patrick Brown said: “While deal volumes are down, the report illustrates that there is still resilience in the market, notably in the food and drink, tech and healthcare sectors in which Tughans has particular expertise.

“These are particularly challenging times and I'm pleased we continue to perform at the highest levels and maintain our top position as M&A Corporate and Real Estate Advisor in the Experian lists.”

James Donnelly, head of corporate at Tughans, added: “The Experian Report shows the Northern Ireland deal flow has obviously slowed, but we would expect the number of funding transactions to increase throughout the remainder of 2020 and are confident that some of the stalled M & A transactions will come back on track later in the year.”