February 19 2026 | Deals | M&A Advisors | Professional Services
While geopolitical tensions remain a factor, Sofia Jørgensen of gunnercooke notes in our 2026 Global M&A Predictions Report, that the fundamental appeal of UK assets — driven by innovation and high-tier talent — continues to draw in significant cross-border interest. With Sterling's current position making UK businesses an attractive value proposition, the stage is set for a year of healthy, strategically focused deal flow.
A standout trend for the coming year is the rise of the "female economy." From Femtech to women’s sports, investors are increasingly recognising the untapped financial potential in underrepresented sectors. As due diligence becomes more forensic and deal structures more creative, 2026 is becoming a year where the focus on cultural fit and long-term stability defines the winner’s circle.
Here’s the full interview
Expect to see interest in quality UK assets strengthen in 2026, as conditions start to stabilise and confidence improves. It’s a modestly optimistic prediction and one that’s bolstered by the fact the UK remains a hub for innovation, talent and capital market success, Sofia Jørgensen says.
A partner in the London office of fast growing legal, commercial and strategic advice firm gunnercooke, she leads corporate and M&A transactions for SMEs, in particular for ultra high net worth individuals and family offices across a range of sectors. The past year has seen successful exits in the FMCG, infrastructure, professional and business services sectors, alongside inbound deals spanning the medical, technology and sports sectors.
“Capital wants to find good opportunities, which are always there, even when times are hard,” Jørgensen says. In 2026, that capital from investors and strategic partners will gravitate towards assets that feature embedded superior technologies which differentiate them from competitors’ offerings.
Greater investment in female founder-led businesses will gain further traction, as more women come up through the start-up eco-system. In addition, female-centric business opportunities abound.
“It’s a growth sector and we’ll see more and more success stories in this category,” Jørgensen says. Cross border activity is likely to be healthy too, with interest emanating from the Middle East and the US.
“The UK has been viewed as a gateway for global capital and a safe place to invest and, with Sterling currently weak, our assets may be perceived as slightly undervalued,” Jørgensen says. “Given those factors, deal flow should be healthy, despite the uncertainty change to geopolitical tensions continue to create.”
Buyers of all stripes will take their time, with a forensic approach to due diligence increasingly replacing the light touch reviews of yesteryear. AI can take partial credit for that development. “It can enhance the processing and assessment of large volumes of information,” Jørgensen says. The technology will be central to good deal management and will enable greater focus on the relationships and cultural fit between all stakeholders in the deal.
More flexible and complex deal structures are also on the cards, as investors and funders seek to mitigate risk. “We’ll see earn-outs, minority stakes, creative vendor financing opportunities and syndicate or club deals becoming main considerations to balance risk appetite and investment opportunity,” Jørgensen says.
For vendors looking for an exit which runs smoothly and effectively, the key is preparation. An enhanced and robust approach to internal due diligence before offers are on the table is always going to be a vendor win; having an embedded team of trusted advisers who understand the business, the opportunity and the levers in the deal enables a proper and successful process.
Looking ahead
The 2026 outlook for UK SMEs and family offices is one of "preparedness over pace." The shift toward deeper due diligence means that vendors can no longer rely on market momentum alone; they must present businesses that are technologically differentiated and operationally transparent.
For international buyers, the UK remains a premier destination for high-growth sectors like Femtech and sports management. However, the successful deals of 2026 will likely be characterised by more complex, risk-sharing structures – such as minority stakes and syndicate deals – as both parties navigate the balance between capital deployment and ongoing global uncertainty.
