UK Private Equity Exits Weekly Summary: Buyouts & IPOs 14-18 Oct 2025

UK IPO News This Week

Recent IPO Activity (Week Ending 18 October 2025)

Market Sentiment & Pipeline

• IPO market maintaining positive momentum following previous week's major confirmations

• Princes Group and Shawbrook Group IPO preparations advancing as scheduled

• Strengthening Q4 pipeline continues to signal renewed confidence in London capital markets

• Market conditions remain supportive for flotation activity through year-end

Upcoming IPO Pipeline

Q4 pipeline showing sustained momentum with multiple companies advancing through preparation stages. Market sentiment continuing to improve with strong 2026 pipeline suggesting confidence firmly returning to London capital markets.

UK Private Equity Buyouts This Week

Major Transactions

Canaccord Genuity confirmed strategic review of UK wealth management arm on 17 October, exploring potential sale of the business. Wealth unit valued at over £1bn, with early-stage discussions underway. Strategic review signals continued consolidation in wealth management sector as firms seek optimal ownership structures.

Secondary Market Activity

• Deal flow remained consistent across core sectors through the week

• Private equity activity concentrated in regulated and technical sectors where compliance and expertise drive value

• Market conditions supportive for strategic consolidation and portfolio integration

• Wealth management and financial services showing particular M&A activity

AIM Market Activity (14-18 October 2025)

Steady admission activity maintained through the week. Small and mid-cap sectors showing resilience. Trading volumes consistent with mid-Q4 patterns.

Market Intelligence Summary

Total UK PE Activity 2025: Steady momentum maintained into Q4

Weekly Volume: Consistent transaction flow with strategic review announcements driving market interest

Market Trend: Positive signals with improving sentiment and strengthening pipeline

LSE Performance: Continued positive momentum following previous week's major IPO confirmations

Complete Deal Flow Context

The third week of October demonstrated sustained confidence in UK capital markets, with strategic reviews and ongoing IPO preparations maintaining positive momentum. Canaccord Genuity's announcement of a strategic review of its UK wealth arm exemplifies continued consolidation activity in the financial services sector, where scale and integrated capabilities drive value creation.

Dealmaking remained concentrated in regulated sectors and financial services where specialist expertise and compliance capability command premium valuations. The week reinforced the positive trajectory established in early October, with IPO pipelines strengthening and PE activity remaining active across core sectors.

Key Insight: The week's activity underscores sustained confidence in UK capital markets heading into the final quarter. With two major IPO confirmations from the previous week now advancing through preparation, and continued strategic reviews in wealth management and financial services, the market is demonstrating resilience and positive momentum. Consolidation activity in regulated sectors continues to drive value creation, positioning London's capital markets for sustained growth momentum through Q4 and into 2026.