Cautious firms look to AI and productivity to boost growth
East Anglia mid-market businesses are making hiring plans but remain cautious and are looking to artificial intelligence and improving productivity to realise their growth plans this year, according to a survey from BDO. More than half of regional businesses see AI as one their main sources of growth this year. Investment in technology is driving headcount increases with firms looking for skills in areas such as AI, data and digital transformation. Yet whilst most firms plan to increase headcount in 2026, the majority only expect it to grow by up to 10pc. Meanwhile, entering new international markets and growth from existing customers are also key drivers of growth in the region. Peter Harrup, regional managing partner at BDO in East Anglia, said: “It’s fair to say that current economic conditions remain challenging for East Anglia businesses, with high costs and reports of weakening business and consumer confidence influencing hiring and investment decisions. However, regional mid-market businesses remain resilient and, despite erring on the side of caution, the growth ambitions of mid-sized businesses in East Anglian have set down a marker for 2026.”
Norfolk-based EV battery specialist to invest £2 million in clean tech hub
Norfolk-based EV battery company Connected Energy is investing £2 million in a new advanced technology centre at Scottow Enterprise Park, bolstering the area’s position as a clean-tech hub. The facility will specialise in extending the working life of electric vehicle batteries through repurposing technology – giving used batteries a second life in renewable energy storage. The site will highlight the viability of building energy storage systems using batteries from multiple car makers. CEO Matthew Lumsden said: “With 15 years of proven experience in second-life battery applications working with major automotive manufacturers like Volvo, this development marks the next stage in our growth. This will bring further investment into north Norfolk where we are creating and sustaining high quality jobs in an industry of the future.” The scheme has planning permission and is expected to be operating by the middle of this year.
Photo: Connected Energy’s Darren Cheadle and Rob Moore at the Hethel site.
Dealmakers hopeful for busy times in the region in 2026
Dealmakers in the region have high hopes for a busy year for mergers and acquisitions in 2026. Vinny Patel, partner at BDO, said: “Despite economic headwinds and uncertainty becoming the new norm, Midlands and East of England businesses have continued to successfully navigate these challenges to realise their ambitions….Current activity levels are high, with pitch opportunities across the team at record levels in recent months. This points to a very busy 2026, as we realise pipeline potential.”
John Stephan, partner at BDO added: “In terms of key growth areas in 2026, this includes life sciences and healthcare, as well as niche industrials, tech-enabled services and ‘buy and build’ platforms.” BDO’s deal advisory team advised on more than 60 deals across the Midlands and East of England in 2025, with a combined value of over £2.5 billion.
Separately, Jonathan Greenwood, corporate partner at law firm Mills & Reeve in Cambridge, said: “As we move into 2026, we expect activity to increase as businesses and investors take advantage of the comparatively stable financial landscape to realise strategic growth and exit opportunities.” Mills & Reeve advised on over £800 million worth of deals in 2025 across the Central & East region. The firm’s corporate teams in Cambridge, Norwich and Oxford acted on 54 significant deals over the last 12 months with a combined deal value of £802 million.
Essex-based precision castings group makes strategic acquisition
Precision castings company Maycast-Nokes, based in Halstead, Essex, has acquired Braintree Electro Platers in a deal where Forward Corporate Finance acted as lead advisor to the buyer. Forward also supported Maycast-Nokes in 2019 when it was acquired through an MBO by its management team Steve Wallings (managing director), Dave Blower (sales director) and Derek Redgwell (finance director). Dating from the 1950s, Maycast-Nokes is a leading manufacturer of high-quality precision castings. The acquisition of Braintree Electro Platers will enable Maycast-Nokes to provide surface finishing services to its own customers and an end-to-end service whilst building on its existing profitability. Steve Wallings said: “Forward have been beside us all the way through this transaction, explaining how it works, raising the funding for us and managing the deal from start to finish. It was great to work with Rob again since completing the MBO in 2019 and now six years’ later completing our first strategic business acquisition as owners of Maycast-Nokes.”
Rob Dukelow-Smith, Forward Corporate Finance director said, “This is an exciting development for Maycast-Nokes and will provide many opportunities for them, and their staff, which is great for the region.” Barclays UK Corporate Bank provided funding for the deal.
See Profile Forward Corporate Finance
Greater ‘sense of certainty’ in farmland market as viewings pick up
There is a greater ‘sense of certainty’ in the farmland market and requests for viewings have been picking up since Christmas, according to agents Strutt & Parker. The increase in inheritance tax relief thresholds available from April 2026 to £2.5m per individual has been widely welcomed across the rural sector. “While agriculture still faces significant challenges, the change should help to underpin confidence, alongside lower interest rates,” said Sam Holt, head of estates & farm agency at Strutt & Parker. “That said, our experience suggests the IHT reforms have had less immediate impact on transactions than perhaps some had anticipated. Demand from non-farmer buyers has remained relatively stable, while a core of expansion-minded farmers has continued to drive market activity.” Strutt & Parker’s database shows the price of arable farmland in England averaged £11,000/acre in 2025, down two per cent on 2024 whilst the price of pasture land averaged £8,600/acre, down four pc.
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Law firm advises on ‘strategically important acquisition’
Law firm Ashtons Legal has advised London-based Seaforth Holdings on its acquisition of Indestructible Paint, a Birmingham-based manufacturer and leader in high-endurance coatings for the aerospace, defence and industrial sectors. The deal was supported by a multi-million-pound structured finance package from Shawbrook, a long-standing funding partner to Seaforth. Craig Fiddaman (photo, right), partner at Ashtons Legal, said: “This was a strategically important acquisition for Seaforth and a great example of how well-structured finance can support ambitious growth plans.”
Separately, Ashtons Legal has advised Workpays on its acquisition of Hartlepool-based Orangebox Training Solutions, a strategic move that will see the Chesterfield-based training provider extend its presence into the North-East. The acquisition was supported by a seven-figure funding package from HSBC UK.
Litigation team strengthened with appointment of experienced solicitor
Law firm Fisher Jones Greenwood has strengthened its litigation team with the appointment of solicitor Spencer Lewis. Based at FJG’s Chelmsford office, he has more than two decades of high-level experience in substantial and complex disputes and specialises in property and commercial litigation. Spencer Lewis said: “Fisher Jones Greenwood is an employer of choice that’s known for its investment in its people, its processes and innovation to provide the highest possible standards to clients.” A member of the Property Litigation Association, he has already made an impact at FJG, taking one of his first cases with the firm through to a successful trial conclusion within weeks of arriving.
Photo (l-r): Solicitor Mario Mastantuono, partner Rhian Lowe, solicitor Spencer Lewis and partner Joe Sandercock
See Profile Fisher Jones Greenwood
Founder of Ipswich-based wellness brand recognised as ‘inspiring female entrepreneur’
The founder of an Ipswich-based menopause wellness brand has been recognised as one of the UK’s 100 ‘most inspiring’ female entrepreneurs. Melissa Dickinson (right), who left her career due to menopausal struggles and founded The Menopause Vitamin Company in 2021, features in Small Business Britain’s f:Entrepreneur #IAlso100 campaign, which marks the achievements of women running UK businesses. Her flagship product, Vibrancy Blend, is the country’s first all-in-one vegan menopause supplement. She is also a qualified menopause wellness practitioner and founder of Menopause Support Suffolk. Melissa Dickinson said: “To be recognised alongside so many incredible female founders is an honour…. Vibrancy Blend was designed to be one simple solution rather than lots of different vitamins, and this recognition means so much because it shows that simple, honest ideas born from real experience can make a genuine difference.”
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