EY teams based across the firm’s Manchester and Leeds offices acted on 17 transactions worth a total of £7.2bn in the first half of 2026.

Among the largest transactions was British investor, Rosebank Industries’ £2.25bn acquisition of US-based industrial businesses CPM and MW Components.

The team also advised engineering business ISQ on the sale of the Energia Group – a renewable energy and technology company – to investment firm, Ardian.

Other major transactions included the sale of Driven Brands Holdings’ IMO Car Wash Group to Franchise Equity Partners, in a deal worth £350m, and TowerBrook Capital Partners’ disposal of Austrocel Hallein – an integrated biorefinery – to sustainable manufacturing company, Oji Holdings Corporation.

EY teams in the North also advised the shareholders of PAM Healthcare on the company’s sale to Optima Health PLC - a transaction worth £100m.

Consumer, media and technology deals were also prominent in the first half of 2026. Specialist media company, Future PLC acquired online lifestyle magazine, SheerLuxe in a deal worth £40m, with potential to rise to £80m through earn-out incentives, while IT services company, UBDS Group was acquired by private equity firm LDC.

EY also advised homeware brands company, Portmeirion Group PLC, which completed a new five-year £36 million asset-based lending facility, replacing its prior financing arrangement.

The team also acted as sole lead financial adviser to fire safety and electrical services company, Fieldway Group on its sale to property maintenance and compliance services company, Axis CLC Group, supporting a competitive private equity process.

There was also significant deals activity linked to companies in the transport and infrastructure sectors during H1 2026, including ITP Aero’s acquisition of Aero Norway, a provider of aircraft engine MRO services.

Other transactions included Tatton Services Limited’s development loan for the financing of Tatton Motorway Services, and Severn Trent PLC’s acquisition of Water Tight Management.

Mark Clephan, UK M&A Leader and North M&A Partner at EY Parthenon, said: “It’s fantastic to see the depth and breadth of the advisory services our teams in the North of England have provided to businesses in the deals market during the first half of 2026 – testament to both the expertise of our people, but also the strategic ambition of our clients.

“Macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty – both of which have been significant and persistent headwinds for the UK economy in the last few years – can often dampen M&A activity, so the continued appetite for dealmaking against this backdrop is encouraging.

“Our deals pipeline remains strong and our teams are equipped with a diverse variety of transactions expertise - we look forward to continuing to support clients throughout the remainder of the year across a wide variety of sectors and industries.”