Deal Dive: PE-backed firms drive M&A boom in March

It's been a March bonanza for deals, smashing past last year's figures. In total, 13 deals were announced or confirmed last month, up on four logged by PA for the same period last year. Deal count was buoyed by Clifton Wealth Partnership's spree, which saw it snap up seven advice businesses of different sizes across the country and came as CBPE completed its investment in Clifton Asset Management, first announced last October. Who's buying? Private equity-backed businesses dominated deals in March. Among them, Shackleton, Finli, Wren Sterling and Clifton Wealth Partnership. Partners...