One of Stoke-on-Trent’s leading corporate lawyers says interest in buying and selling local businesses remains strong, with the latest government data showing a nationwide uptick in company acquisitions between April and June 2025.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported yesterday (2 September) that more UK companies changed hands in Quarter 2 than Quarter 1, despite wider economic uncertainty.
The provisional combined number of mergers and acquisitions involving a change in majority share ownership was 501 during Quarter 2, 89 more than during Quarter 1.
The value of domestic mergers and acquisitions – UK companies acquiring other UK companies – during Quarter 2 was £3.4 billion, which was £0.6 billion higher than in Quarter 1.
Mark Soboljew, a partner in the corporate team at Knights, says they have seen an increase in the sale of businesses in the region.
Corporate specialists at Knights have overseen a number of high profile acquisitions in recent months, including in the healthcare and education sectors.
Mark said: “There are lots of deals happening, or in the pipeline, in Stoke and Staffordshire. It’s not a surprise to see the latest ONS data show a nationwide increase over the last quarter – and we’re anticipating that healthy trend to continue here for the rest of the year.”
Daily Focus reported yesterday that Stoke-on-Trent-based accountancy and advisory group DJH had acquired three former Haines Watts offices in Chester, Liverpool, and Wirral, taking its total turnover to £61.5 million. The deal is DJH’s 16th acquisition in just four years.
