EMC’s Regional Corporate Finance Update

November 2025

Welcome to our corporate finance review for November 2025.

This month, we are excited to share several new deals led by EMC, including a standout transaction involving automotive technology specialist TekCor4. TekCor4 has completed its first strategic acquisition of Marketing Delivery, a leading provider of digital marketing solutions for the automotive sector. The deal was supported by a minority growth investment from US venture firm FM Capital.

This acquisition brings together TekCor4’s predictive aftersales intelligence with Marketing Delivery’s AI-powered engagement platform, creating a seamless, integrated solution for UK automotive retailers.

These completions sit within a cautiously optimistic South-East market, which recorded 47 completed deals in November, bringing the year-to-date total to 745. Although activity remains selective, the overall regional picture is more positive than in recent Novembers.

Last week, Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her second Budget. Setting politics aside, the changes to national minimum wage levels and rate reliefs will continue to put pressure on businesses, particularly in the retail and hospitality sectors.

From an M&A perspective, the most notable announcement was the restriction of reliefs available on the sale of a company to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). Previously, such a sale could benefit from a 0% Capital Gains Tax rate. Under the new rules, only half of this relief will now be available. As is typical with changes of this kind, the new rules took effect immediately on Budget Day.

November also saw several notable regional transactions in the region. Operational Solutions Limited, based in Reading, was acquired by the Danish defence and aerospace manufacturer, Terma A/S, marking a significant exit for investors. Also in the South-East, The Pace Group, a UK lift-maintenance and repair consolidator, acquired The Lift Company and DJ Lifts, based in Kent, strengthening its footprint in the region.

Elsewhere, the British Business Bank has unveiled a new five-year strategic plan aimed at transforming how smaller businesses are financed in the UK. With a permanent funding capacity of £25.6 billion, the Bank plans to catalyse additional private investment, unlocking around £26 billion of private funding alongside £13 billion of its own capital. This will enable up to £10 billion in smaller-business lending through guarantees.

For SMEs across the South-East, the plan should translate into improved access to finance, more flexible funding options, and a greater likelihood that expansion or exit plans can proceed without being stalled by capital constraints.