Reasons to be cheerful: competitive debt, dry powder and some (relative) political stability

The world according to Clearwater - why CEO Mark Taylor is feeling hopeful

Hello Rainmakers,

Private equity funds exiting historic investments and their need to deploy significant amounts of capital will create a stronger M&A market throughout 2026, Clearwater CEO Mark Taylor (no relation) tells Rainmakers.

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As CEO of corporate advisory firm Clearwater former banker Mark Taylor is enjoying life.

Winner of Rainmaker awards in the Midlands, Yorkshire and the North West, Clearwater now has 140 people based in UK offices in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds – and Taylor says he has reiterated its target of growing annual revenues by 50% from its current £50 million to £75 million by 2030.

But he’s also encouraged not just because what his forecast tells him for the year ahead, but what lies behind it. Companies are set to be operating in a more stable environment compared to 2025, when UK businesses were forced to wait until the end of November to learn what additional measures chancellor Rachel Reeves was planning to introduce in her budget.

Drawing on the last Report on Investment Activity from trade body UK Private Capital (previously the BVCA), UK private equity funds have £190 billion in undeployed capital – often called ‘dry powder’ – at their disposal, a figure that has been increasing over time.

In recent years, the firm has invested significantly in its sector specialisms and regional presence to consolidate its position and differentiate itself in the market, with some success.