AAB closes a deal per week during 2017

Aberdeen-based accountants Anderson Anderson & Brown LLP oversaw the successful completion of 52 deals during 2017 worth a total of more than £500 million.

The transactions covered a range of sectors including Oil & Gas, Construction, Food & Drink, Technology, Retail and Support Services.

It is the fourth successive year in which AAB have completed over 50 deals and the total deal value last year was 50 per cent up on 2016.

The firm said 2017 saw an increase in the number of Oil & Gas transactions, which rose from 15 to 21 in the period with greater market stability encouraging a more positive environment in which to undertake and conclude Merger & Acquisition (M&A) deals.

Notable transactions in which AAB were involved in during 2017 included the management buy-out of metal recycling specialists John Lawrie Group supported by Rubicon Partners and Grovepoint, the acquisition of online children gift retailer Mousehouse Gifts by Regency Hampers and the merger of facilities management firm Resolutions Ground Maintenance with Contract Solutions Grampian.

Douglas Martin, head of corporate finance at AAB, said: “We are delighted to have completed over 50 deals for the fourth consecutive year which is testament to our ability to adapt to the changing market dynamics to initiate and deliver transactions both across Scotland and further afield.”

Looking ahead to 2018, Mr Martin added: “It was very welcome to see increased M&A activity in the Oil & Gas services sector in the final quarter of 2017 and we are highly encourage by the current strong pipeline of deals across the UK going into 2018.”