Press Release
Grant Thornton UK advises on M&A deals worth more than £200 million in the East region since September
10 Dec 2025
Grant Thornton UK has successfully advised on eight transactions in the East of England region since September, with a combined value of more than £200 million. These deals highlight the region’s economic resilience and its continued attractiveness to both domestic and international investors.
These transactions spanned multiple sectors, including insurtech, governance risk and compliance, consumer goods, food & beverage, hospitality, industrials, and construction. The deals featured a mix of strategic sales, private equity investments, and employee ownership trust (EOT) structures, reflecting key trends shaping UK mid-market businesses.
Notable transactions included the sale of Ipswich based, data privacy compliance specialist, The DPO Centre, to Axiom GRC, an acquisitive trade buyer backed by private equity firm Inflexion, strengthening its position in the governance risk & compliance sector and in the insurtech sector, Cambridge-based Addresscloud secured investment from private equity firm Kester Capital to support innovation and global expansion.
In the food and beverage sector, which has faced challenging M&A market conditions in the recent years, Grant Thornton supported pioneering founders Jodie and Andrew Howie and mid-market private equity firm LDC on the sale of premium milkshake brand Shaken Udder to Spanish chocolate business Idilia, marking a significant cross-border transaction.
Doug Bentley, Corporate Finance Partner commented:
“Our team is proud to have supported clients through complex and high-value deals that not only deliver growth but also preserve long-standing legacies. Looking ahead, we anticipate continued momentum as economic conditions improve and the appetite for mid-market transactions remains strong.”
In the construction sector, construction materials suppliers P J Thory, Gemmix and Pro Mini Mix were sold to Holcim UK, part of Switzerland-listed global leader in sustainable construction, Holcim Group. The deal will strengthen Holcim’s UK operations in the East of England.
Reflecting the growing popularity of EOT structures, Grant Thornton UK’s East of England Corporate Finance team also advised on three EOT transactions, including G R Carr in Basildon. These deals preserve long-standing legacies while rewarding employees.
Stuart Davies, Corporate Finance Partner added:
“These transactions demonstrate the depth and diversity of opportunities in the East of England. From international strategic buyers to private equity investors and employee ownership structures, the region continues to attract significant interest and investment.”
