IW Capital research reveals where record amounts of investment are heading

In the first half of 2021, private equity investment, both in terms of value and number of deals, has reached levels not seen since 2017, according to KPMG data. 785 deals were completed for an overall value of £73.7 billion pounds, after factors such as the vaccine rollout and loosening restrictions increased optimism, while the depressed values of UK companies further fuelled demand for deals. 

Optimism among business leaders has continued to rise and several high value deals have been completed in July and the start of August, and this record investment looks set to continue, according to research on which sectors investors are looking to back, commissioned by investment specialists IW Capital. 

The data indicates that sectors in green and sustainable fields are a firm favourite and set to benefit from significant investment backing in the next year, while firms in more scientific fields, which have enjoyed increased exposure over the last year and a half, are also favoured. It also suggests that hospitality and the creative industries, perhaps worst affected by the economic impacts of the pandemic, are firmly on the radar of UK investors.  

• 45% of UK investors are looking to back green or sustainable companies in the next year
• 36% of UK investors want to invest in stocks and shares
• 34% of UK investors are interested in the biotech, medtech and pharma industries
• 29% of UK investors are looking to back online retail businesses
• 26% of UK investors want to invest in Fintech
• 18% of UK investors consider investing in the creative industries in the next year, and 16% in the hospitality sector

Luke Davis, CEO of IW Capital says: "Investment confidence is often a barometer for the future of the economy and wider business sentiment so it is great to see that private equity is putting its money where its mouth is in terms of backing UK firms. This is a trend that has also been reflected in the desire of investors to support and invest in small, private, growth companies. In our experience many firms are looking for growth, and the investors we work with are keen to back them in their goals after a tough year for businesses of all kinds. 

"Our research also gives us an idea of where the most demand exists and unsurprisingly given the increasing concern and coverage around climate change, green and sustainable companies top the list for investor demand. There is, however, also significant confidence in the sectors that suffered most during periods of lockdown and nearly a fifth of investors look to back the hospitality sector or the creative industries.

"The following year or so will be crucial for UK economic growth and SMEs and entrepreneurs will be key to that, given that they make up 99.9% of private sectors businesses and employ nearly 60% of the workforce. The investment community that backs these firms will, therefore, be equally important, so it is hugely encouraging to see this optimism and activity."