8,000+ High‑Growth UK Companies Exit Since 2015!

UK High‑Growth Company Exits: The New “Exit” Game

Picture a bustling marketplace where startups are like high‑flying acrobats, and the big question is: what happens when you finally bow out? In the UK, exits are still the gold‑mines for founders and investors alike. But the playbook has changed a lot since the pandemic hit.

What’s Really Happening?

Charles Stanley’s fresh Exits in the UK report—born from a partnership with Beauhurst—shows that exit activity is still higher than pre‑COVID times, yet the patterns are shifting. The biggest change? More owners are selling up to stay in the game rather than leaving it altogether.

Numbers that Don’t Lie

Since 2015, almost 8,000 high‑growth UK companies have exited.
About 40 % of those exits happened in the last 2½ years.
From 2015 to Q1 2025, over 7,500 acquisitions dominated the scene.

Three Trends That’re Turning the Tide

1. Acquisitions Reign Supreme

Corporate buyers lead the pack, acquiring 85.7 % of deal activity in 2024 (an impressive 1,069 deals!). They’re often hunting fresh tech to augment their own offerings, break into new markets, or slim the competition. Financial buyers—mainly private equity—churn through 14.3 %, aiming for that sweet ROI.

2. IPOs – A Sprint, Not a Marathon

The IPO boom in 2021 was a flash‑of‑gold season, fueled by pent‑up demand and pandemic stimulus. But since then, the numbers have dipped to historic lows. In Q1 2025, only three IPOs popped up, although they raised more cash than any of the past three years full‑time. Still, Wise’s move to list in New York shows that London’s allure has dimmed a touch.

3. Founder‑Led Secondary Sales Making Their Mark

These partial liquidity digs have grown from 650 in 2015 to a peak of 1,799 in 2022. Think of them as “cash‑in” without a full exit—enabling founders to keep the reins while giving investors a good return.

Why Exits Matter to the Entire Ecosystem

• Investors get that sweet equity‑return splash and can re‑invest in fresh ideas.
• Founders earn liquidity, often sparking the next wave of ventures.
• Innovation flourishes, and the entrepreneurial engine keeps churning.

Words From the Head Honcho

“The UK exit landscape is evolving,” says Cliadhna Law, Head of Direct & Professional Sales at Charles Stanley. “From 2015 to Q1 2025, close to 8,000 exits have played out, underscoring how capital, talent, and innovation cycles are intertwined. Acquisitions stay king—powered by both corporate and financial buyers—yet founder‑secondary deals are carving out a huge niche by giving liquidity without giving up control. A more stable future may see steady acquisition activity and a potential IPO rebound, reflecting a flexible, value‑centric UK ecosystem.”

With two centuries of experience, Charles Stanley is dedicated to steering each exit journey personally. They help clients secure the wealth made possible by exits—while aligning with long‑term goals for individuals, families, and businesses alike.