Liverpool’s top dealbreakers have revealed that private equity is on the rise in the city centre.
At the Access for the Alternative Finance seminar, it was noted that spending in the city has increased over the last 12 months.
Hosted by Professional Liverpool’s Corporate Finance Group, the event at the Cotton Exchange
Matt Noon, partner at Hill Dickinson, said: “Dare I say it, but in recent years it has been said that Liverpool lags behind Manchester when it comes to private equity investment.
“It wasn’t too long ago when deals such as the Business Growth Fund’s investment into Hobs Repro and Palatine’s investment into MJ Quinn were seen as the exception rather than the rule for Liverpool but I’m pleased to say things are changing.
“Over the last 12 months we have seen unprecedented activity in the private equity market with multiple PE investment deals taking place in the region.
“But it’s important that this continues.
“We need to raise awareness of the options that are out there from crowd sourcing for smaller ventures, to local funds such as MSIF to the bigger funds evidenced by NorthEdge and LDC.”
NorthEdge has been involved in multiple high profile deals across the north west lately, with Chester company, ITC Luxury Travel, Future Industrial Services and Abbey Logistics.
Another high profile deal was struck at the end of 2016 with Limerston Capital’s acquisition of AdviserPlus.
Noon was joined by Chris Rea, the senior campaigns associate for Seedrs, Michael Dunlow, co-founder and head of investment at Accelerated Digital Ventures and more at the event.
Steve Stuart, chair of the Financial and Professional Services steering group for the Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Other cities, including Manchester, are looking saturated with investment and it has been proven in recent months that investors can make money in the Liverpool City Region.
“It is our role as advisors to talk about these successful deals and encourage other businesses to take advantage of this change in attitude towards the City Region.”