International Acquirers actively seeking British companies

According to the most recent M&A dataset from the Office for National Statistics, foreign acquirers have spent £41bn buying UK companies since the start of the year. These results were taken from a reported 760 deals involving a change in majority ownership (Q.1-Q.2 2026 ONS stats).

The UK remains a very attractive marketplace, as the 5th wealthiest economy in the world with a vibrant community of 6m SMEs. The UK is a good base for international trade, both in the Anglophone world and internationally, London is recognised as a global business capital; attracting investment from the USA, Europe and further afield.

The EvolutionCBS deal team has proactively engaged acquirers across three continents on behalf of clients this year. Foreign acquirers and investors have often featured in our sale projects, with buyers engaged in multiple regions, including: the Americas (40%), Europe (37%), Scandinavia (17%) and Asia (4%).

Earlier this year, our deal team successfully completed the sale of industrial door specialists Bi-Fold Rolfe to European entrance systems organisation ENTRO Service GmbH.

ENTRO Service GmbH, is an interesting example of the types of acquirers voraciously seeking UK companies. With revenues exceeding €50 million in its German operations, the conglomerate company is a leading provider of entrance and access solutions, fire protection, and security systems. The group addresses central challenges for owners, employees, customers, and suppliers through strategic partnerships and investments in profitable medium-sized companies.

Founded by entrepreneurs with the aim of creating a Europe-wide group, the acquisition of Bi-Fold Rolfe represents a strategic beachhead in the UK, giving ENTRO a strong local presence and platform to grow its footprint in the entrance, access, and fire protection sectors. This reinforces the central point, some buyers are proactively purchasing UK companies with no sign of decreasing appetite.

For those business owners considering a sale of their business, it is crucial to engage an advisor with the desk research capability to reach international markets, to engage acquirers across borders and to negotiate successfully with multinational groups. Key to attracting higher valuations is the ability to create a competitive environment around the sale, this will include successfully attracting both domestic and international acquirers.

 

Thinking about selling in the next few years?

 

At EvolutionCBS, we work closely with owner-managed businesses to help them understand how the market may view their business today, where value can potentially be strengthened, and how future strategic options may evolve over time.

Whether a shareholder is considering a sale in the short term or simply beginning to think more strategically about the future, early preparation can have a significant impact on long-term outcomes.

 

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If you would like a no-obligation consultation on the sale of your business or would like to discuss our Business Valuation Service, click here.

As a long-established premium provider of business sale advisory services to UK businesses, EvolutionCBS offers business owners a complimentary and confidential discussion on how their specific objectives could be met and provides them with pragmatic, practical advice on how to begin preparing both themselves and their businesses for future sale or investment.

EvolutionCBS works with owners of UK businesses in any sector, finding buyers from around the world through highly targeted research and supporting clients with dedicated Director-led teams, at every stage of their journey to a successful sale or investment, we boast a market leading success rate with a 15-year average above 75%.

If you are an owner or shareholder of a business and would like a no-obligation consultation on the sale of all or part of your business, please email: info@evolutioncbs.co.uk or contact us on Tel: 0118 959 8224.

 

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