● UK firm reveals it advised on 62 transactions during its 2025-26 financial year and is well positioned with a strong order book, despite wider market uncertainty
● Update comes after Clearwater’s UK entity announced it is to be acquired by KeyCorp in a deal that will support its future growth and strengthens its cross-border offering
● 22 Clearwater colleagues promoted as firm continues to develop and invest in talent
Clearwater in the UK has said it is in “the best possible position” to prosper, with a strong order book and a future as part of KeyCorp, as it announced a resilient performance in its past financial year.
The firm completed 62 transactions in the 12 months to March 2026, with its M&A and Debt Advisory specialists advising on deals across the UK and in a broad range of sectors. Almost half of the transactions involved private equity investors. The firm said Business Services, Tech & Tech Services and Industrials & Chemicals were the key sectors that drove deal activity during its 2025-26 financial year.
The update comes after the announcement in April that US regional investment bank KeyCorp is to acquire the UK entity of Clearwater in a deal due to complete in the coming months. The agreement will see the firm become part of KeyCorp’s KeyBank Capital Markets business, providing Clearwater with the additional scale and resources to provide enhanced M&A and Debt Advisory advice to clients.
The deal will allow Clearwater to further invest in its model, which is based on deep regional expertise. It has offices in Birmingham, where its team last year moved into larger premises, Manchester, London and Leeds. The KeyCorp transaction will also provide additional support to the firm’s specialist transaction teams, which focus on the key sectors that power the UK economy.
As well as confirming completed transactions during 2025-26, Clearwater has announced a raft of internal promotions, with 22 colleagues being promoted at various levels across the business, underlining the commitment to developing and rewarding talent.
Mark Taylor, Clearwater’s UK CEO, said: “I’m really pleased with our performance during the year, and proud and grateful to our colleagues for their dedication to our clients. Despite some significant headwinds to contend with, including global tariffs and inflationary pressures, our teams supported a broad range of investors and management teams, helping them secure investments and exits. That speaks to the quality of our client relationships, which are based on trust and integrity.
“The year also underlined the strength of our regional and sector-based approach. So many of our mandates rely on on-the-ground support close to those we advise. Alongside that, our sector expertise allows us to put together the best possible offering to deliver the best outcomes for clients.”
Among the key UK transactions Clearwater advised on during 2025-26 were:
● AmplifyME, the world’s leading provider of finance simulations, on its investment from Northcote Equity
● Harper James, a full-service commercial law firm, on securing investment from LDC
● Water Direct, the UK’s leading provider of alternative water supply solutions for utilities, businesses and the public sector on its sale of a majority stake to Eurazeo, through Eurazeo Transition Infrastructure Fund
● Obsequio, a leading UK provider of fire safety, water hygiene, security, asbestos, energy, and environmental compliance services, on its exit from Beech Tree Private Equity to Warren Equity Partners LLP
● Access Infinity, a leading provider of next generation market access and pricing solutions to the global pharmaceutical and biotech industries, on its investment from CBPE Capital
Clearwater also enjoyed widespread recognition, including regional honours at the Insider Dealmakers and TheBusinessDesk Rainmakers. Meanwhile, it won awards in UK-wide categories at Actum Group’s Value Creation Awards and Real Deals Private Equity Awards.
Looking ahead, Mark Taylor added: “With a strong order book and our unique proposition that combines regional and sector M&A expertise, we’re in the best possible position to manage the external market uncertainty, meaning we can look ahead with confidence – even more so as we plan for a new era as part of KeyBank Capital Markets.
“In the market, the fundamentals remain the same. Businesses must demonstrate growth potential and resilience. They look to a team of trusted advisers to properly evaluate the market, advise on options and develop a compelling investment narrative. While we’re always realistic, we see upside potential across the market. We know investors want to deploy their capital and that the UK remains a great location to do that, with world class companies spread across a range of strategic sectors.”
Announcing the Clearwater UK deal in April, Randy Paine, President of Key Institutional Bank, said “years of collaboration with Clearwater has generated significant value for clients on both sides of the Atlantic”, and described the new partnership as “the natural next step in the relationship”.
