Global M&A Trends, Ciesco & Bird & Bird’s 2020 Global M&A Review and 2021 Outlook

Despite the year behind us, the expected effects of COVID-19 did not entirely stifle the movement in the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) sphere, with private equity firms still paving the way and making up 37% of all buyers in 2020 in the digital, media and marketing sectors. Common focus was on expanding a company's capabilities with regards to digital technologies, driven by the requirement for real time data results and the necessity to be in sync with the needs and wants of consumers.