Wrapping Up

Not long to go now until the old fella comes a sliding down the chimney. I’d know exactly how long if I’d got an advent calendar, but I didn’t bother because I heard that their days are numbered. For more Christmas crackers, read on ...

White (label) Christmas

Now, are you the sort of person who likes to put a top brand on the Christmas table? Increasingly, we’re not that bothered, according to a fascinating new EY article on the ins and outs of so-called white label or private label goods. Read more to find out how to maximise their value. But personally, I’m a bit of snob, so there’s only one brand of baked beans I’ll be serving the family on Christmas Day. Lucky old them eh?

Eating your fill

Some might think a video called Macro Bites?was about overfilling your plate with turkey and the full trimmings but, as I’d expect from my EY Parthenon colleagues?Gregory Daco and Jeremy Redenius,?it is much more insightful. In this short video, they expertly outline PE value creation strategies in an economy at a crossroads, majoring on the need for smart capital deployment.

Deck the tree

Shiny baubles of a different kind were on display at the recent Mergermarket European M&A Firm of the Year Awards. EY won not one but two top gongs, bringing home both the Due Diligence and Tax Advisor firm of the year honours. As EY’s Global PE leader Bridget Walsh shares in her recent post,?that is a tremendous achievement for the PE team who can look forward to 2025 with justifiable excitement.

Sleighing it

But perhaps the best present of the season so far is the new?State of private equity Q3 2024 report, which sees Santa’s M&A sack positively bulging. PE deals are up compared to the same quarter last year, TMT remains the leading deal sector in Europe and, perhaps the best news of all for those looking to realise value, exits are up significantly versus the same quarter last year.? The perfect stocking filler.

What’s occurring?

The annual EY Digital Home report?is always a gift to be treasured but, in an increasingly crowded and often confusing market it’s never been more valuable. Authors Cedric Foray and Adrian Baschnonga crunch the data and reveal their top tips. As for me, as long as I win the battle for the remote when the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey?screens I will be happy. Tidy.

Green Christmas

Another eagerly awaited report has just hit the virtual bookshelves in the shape of the 2024 EY Global Climate Action Barometer. It finds that despite improved disclosures, companies must do more, and then outlines six ways to accelerate sustainability transition. I will be doing my bit by finding a new home for my neighbours’ recently acquired noisy wind chime at my local recycling centre.

Winter wonderland

European CEOs are bullish about the year ahead according to the latest CEO Imperative Series. Scrolling through this cracking report, I found that the UK’s leading role in M&A meant it beat China into second place behind the US. Also, our wealth of sought-after sectors including technology, life sciences and advanced manufacturing, could further boost the UK as an M&A destination in 2025.

Happy ChristmAIs?

After all the good news, and in a pretty shameless attempt to shoehorn in a reference to Dickens’ Christmas Carol, let’s spare a thought for the Tiny Tims?of this world. I refer to the poor writers and artists who risk having their lunch eaten by AI. Some positive news in the form of an EY insight into the creative art of marketing and the power of AI.?According to the article, the path to success remains very much human-centred. Hurrah!

And finally

I’d like to leave you with something to reflect on. When I started these occasional blogs in late 2020 (I know! Time flies), festive plans were suddenly interrupted by a lockdown which saw friends and families spending Christmas apart. In fact, at that time, if you had your family round on Christmas Day, the police could force entry and send them home (a service which many wish was still available today). But for me, four years on, I think that time is still a powerful reminder of what we truly value about this time of year. So I wish both of my readers a chance to reconnect, relax, and recharge for an exciting year ahead.

More gifts ready to be recycled here: