PRIVATE EQUITY INSIGHTS 2026

Our latest annual edition of our PE Insights offers 2025 in review, 2026 in focus

The latest annual edition of our PE Insights offers a view of private equity activity across the UK, Europe and the Middle East, drawing on Addleshaw Goddard’s deal data and market experience. The report captures the realities of a challenging 2025 characterised by geopolitical instability, persistent inflation, and elevated financing costs and highlights how private equity investors adapted through disciplined deployment, bolt on strategies, and liquidity solutions in order to sustain momentum. 

There are many reasons for market participants to be optimistic for 2026, with increased economic stability, developing exit pipelines and increased dry powder for the right assets. We think 2026 stands to be a good year in private equity.

Global perspective looking back on 2025 and towards 2026 

The report provides a comprehensive overview of the private equity landscape across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East. It explores key deal dynamics, sector movements, and structural trends shaping activity - including the continued focus on resilient, recurring revenue businesses, the rise of higher-conviction transactions in the Middle East, and targeted sector strength in technology, healthcare, energy storage, and professional services across Europe. Regional viewpoints offer clarity on evolving regulatory and political factors, from UK budget changes to shifting FDI regimes in Spain, defence related opportunities in Poland, and growing GP led secondary activity across Southern Europe.