Tughans LLP marks 11 consecutive years as Northern Ireland’s most active M&A law firm, according to the latest Experian MarketIQ report.
The latest Experian MarketIQ review confirms Tughans as Northern Ireland’s most active M&A law firm for an eleventh consecutive year, further extending the firm’s sustained leadership of the regional deal market.
The figures follow another year of significant transaction activity across Northern Ireland, spanning mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, venture capital transactions, management buyouts, refinancings and significant commercial property projects.
In 2025, the firm advised on 69 qualifying corporate transactions in Northern Ireland, representing more than a fifth of all reported deals in the local market and during that period. The firm advised clients on a significant number of transactions involving target companies in England and the Republic of Ireland.
Deal volumes were highest in technology, manufacturing and energy sectors with transactions including Westland Horticulture’s acquisition of the English based Bulldog Products Group, the sale of Auditcomply to Toronto headquartered Nulogy and investment in TeamFeePay by YFM Equity Partners, Techstart and the Investment Fund for Northern Ireland, managed by Clarendon Fund Managers.
Patrick Brown, Managing Partner at Tughans, said:
“Maintaining this position for an eleventh consecutive year reflects the continued trust our clients place in us to advise on their most important strategic transactions and projects. It is also a testament to the expertise and quality of our teams, who are consistently engaged on complex, high value mandates.”
James Donnelly, Head of the Corporate Practice at Tughans, added:
“It has been another incredibly active year for our transactional teams, with a broad range of mandates across different sectors and a noticeable increase in larger value transactions. The volume and variety of instructions reflect the continued strength and maturity of Northern Ireland’s deal market.”
Fellow Corporate Partner, John McGuckian, commented:
“Private equity backed acquisitions remain a key feature of the deal market with Northern Irish companies and management teams continuing to impress funds in London, Dublin, the US and beyond”
Eleven consecutive years at the forefront of the rankings marks a sustained period of market leadership across multiple economic cycles and shifting investment conditions, reflecting continued confidence in Northern Ireland’s deal environment.
Pictured left to right – Members of the Tughans team Paul O’Brien, Corporate Partner, Julie Huddleston, Banking & Finance Partner, John McGuckian, Corporate Partner, Patrick Brown, Managing Partner, Rebecca Moffett, Real Estate Partner, Patricia Rooney, Head of Employment, Ben Sims, Corporate Partner and James Donnelly, Head of Corporate.
