Professional Services

After pouring into professional services, what’s private equity’s exit plan?

From accountancy consolidation to legal roll-ups, buyout shops have stormed into professional services. What comes next?

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Private equity firms could continue passing the parcel on as their acquisitions scale up Photo: Getty Images

Buyout bosses and advisers say a recent boom in professional services deals shows little sign of slowing down, and private equity will continue to play a major role in the sector over the next decade.

Private equity firms have scored a raft of big-ticket deals in the past two years, including for Grant Thornton, S&W and DWF, drawn by the sector’s steady revenue, consolidation opportunities and technology disruption.

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