Respected business insiders KPMG have announced that Scotland had registered a 69% increase in investment in mid-sized companies last year, compared to a 19% drop in the rest of the UK.
This is due in no small part to the difference between Scotland’s economy and that of the rest of the UK. The strategic change in Scotland’s economy due to energy transition is highlighted as a reason for the confidence being expressed by international businesses.
Planned Energy Transition Zone at Nigg
Aberdeen should have a pivotal role to play in this transition, a fact that Charlie Abel pointed out today:
The confidence which international investors show in Scotland is the truest refection we can have of the confidence we can share in Scotland’s future as an independent nation.
Aberdeen has of course a central role in these most important opportunities, and as you local councillor I will work to ensure that as many good jobs as possible come into our area”The election for Charlie is on Thursday 23rd February: make sure you vote Charlie Abel (Alba Party) number one!
Graeme Williams, head of corporate finance M&A for Scotland, said: “Last year was a tough one for the investment market globally, but it’s no fluke that Scotland bucked the downward trend. Scotland is still vulnerable to global headwinds, but our breadth and depth of mid-market businesses helped provide some welcome cover during a challenging year.”
Some sectors have shown real resilience to recent economic and geopolitical instability and provided a stable basis for continued M&A activity. This is particularly noticeable in sectors where there’s a strategic imperative for change, such as the energy transition, for example, where Scotland has healthy credentials.
Graeme Williams
Graeme Williams, head of corporate finance M&A for Scotland, said: “Last year was a tough one for the investment market globally, but it’s no fluke that Scotland bucked the downward trend. Scotland is still vulnerable to global headwinds, but our breadth and depth of mid-market businesses helped provide some welcome cover during a challenging year.”
By comparison, across the UK, mid-market deals cooled considerably last year with £46bn transacting across 680 deals – a drop off of 19 per cent in volume and 12 per cent in value.
Mr Williams added: “Investors shied away from sectors heavily reliant on consumer spending, as rising inflation throughout supply chains and the cost-of-living crisis have squeezed profit margins and reduced revenues. However, some sectors have shown real resilience to recent economic and geopolitical instability and provided a stable basis for continued M&A activity. This is particularly noticeable in sectors where there’s a strategic imperative for change, such as the energy transition, for example, where Scotland has healthy credentials.”
Looking ahead in 2023, Mr Williams contended that: “The future is always difficult to predict, but, there is a sense that expectations have adjusted, and the situation is more stable than it was for most of 2022.
“We know there is still dry powder out there waiting to be deployed, and while we’re seeing a quiet start to 2023, the Scottish market is likely to see soft growth especially if a recession is shorter than expected.
“It may be a tough road ahead for the country and for businesses, but those who can weather the storm by remaining agile, focused and as prepared as possible, will emerge well-placed to take advantage of future opportunities.
“We may also see a boost in mid-market transaction levels as questions regarding the capital gains tax regime loom. Similar uncertainty over the last few years has weighed on private business owners, and owners who are mindful of an imminent increase may be tempted to push the button and get a deal done sooner rather than later.”