Deal Dive: 2026 kicks off with a slower start

Deals announced in Q1 2026

Isabel Baxter
clock • 3 min read

Welcome to the latest edition of PA’s Deal Dive, your quarterly advice merger and acquisition (M&A) round-up. We dig into deal trends and drivers in this regular series.

Who was buying in Q1 2026 deal activity started at a slower pace, but it was certainty not completely quiet, with M&A activity continuing in Q1.  In total, Professional Adviser recorded 26 deals in Q1 2026. Compared to this time last year, deal activity has slowed according to PA's data, which is based on announcements and research. In Q1 2025 there were double the amount with approximately 46 deals tracked. Verso Group started trail of consolidation announcements, as it snapped up Everlong Wealth in the Midlands in January, adding £350m to its assets under management (AUM) bank....

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