Large companies often pursue growth through mergers and acquisitions (M&A), one of the most strategic ways to expand. There are many well-known examples of mergers that have helped businesses:
- Speed up product development
- Achieve operational synergies
- Expand market presence
- Boost profitability
- Access new markets and customer segments
We’ve compiled a list of some of the most significant mergers and acquisitions in the UK that have made a notable impact on their respective industries.
1. Ctrip International Bought Skyscanner for £1.40b in 2016
Completion of acquisition: November 2016
While searching for cheaper flights or just inspiration for our next travel destination, we have probably stumbled upon a site called Skyscanner. It provides users with tools to book a trip’s entire itinerary. Skyscanner leads its users through different stages of the trip, including flights and hotel accommodations. Skyscanner has a base of 600 partners that help you save money and book a well-planned trip.
Skyscanner was acquired by Ctrip, a Chinese company. The transaction was mainly in cash, some equity and loans. Ctrip said this deal will allow it to give travelers more choices by combining flights with train and car travel.
Why it matters: Ctrip’s acquisition of Skyscanner helped the acquiring company broaden its reach and increase its market share.
Through this deal, Skyscanner became the first unicorn company from Scotland. Today, this acquisition is still the largest travel technology acquisition in Europe’s history.
2. British American Tobacco acquired Reynolds American Inc. for £40.1b
BAT announces agreement to acquire Reynolds: January 2017
Completion of acquisition: July 2017
Tobacco has played an important role in human history. In the 1950s, many physicians were advertising the health benefits of smoking cigarettes. This has been proven to be untrue and even damaging to public health. Because of tobacco’s harmful health effects, there were many opponents of this merger.
Why it matters: The buyout of Reynolds American, Inc. made BAT the largest tobacco company in the world.
The buyout gave BAT access to wider markets as BAT Chief Executive Nicandro Durante said, “It will create a stronger, global tobacco and NGP (next generation products) business with direct access for our products across the most attractive markets in the world.”
BAT was also able to shift toward “healthier” nicotine alternatives (such as e-cigarettes) amid global anti-smoking efforts. This deal surely stands as one of the best mergers and acquisitions in UK history.
3. Royal Dutch Shell acquired BG Group for £46.7b
Completion of Acquisition: February 2015
Shell’s clam logo will be forever tied to the oil industry. It comes as no surprise that to grow, they acquired a company that operates within a similar industry. Shell merged with BG Group in 2016 to grow faster in deepwater and LNG, where BG had strong experience. The deal helped both companies by combining strengths, sharing resources, and treating employees fairly.
Financially, the deal exceeded expectations. Shell initially aimed to achieve $2.5 billion in cost synergies by 2018 but hit that target by the end of 2016 (almost a year ahead of schedule). The company later increased its target to $4.5 billion.
Why it matters: Through this merger, Shell should no longer be associated only with oil refining and production. This transaction made Royal Dutch Shell the largest global supplier of LNG (Liquid Natural Gas). Moving forward, the company wants to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 — or sooner.
4. Vodafone bought Mannesmann for £126.95 billion
Completion of Acquisition: February 2000
Vodafone acquired Germany’s Mannesmann in 2000, making it one of the best M&A deals ever. The deal started as a hostile takeover, but it was a strategic move to expand Vodafone’s reach in the European mobile market.
Frank Wellendorf, Duesseldorf-based telecom analyst at West LB Panmure, said that the deal is “very positive because we have the biggest telecom company worldwide and the market leader in mobile.”
The merger led to $800M in projected annual savings by streamlining operations and reducing overlap. It also boosted efficiency and gave Vodafone more leverage in supplier negotiations.
Why it matters: This M&A deal is a business takeover example. By combining these two enormous companies, Vodafone gained an important asset and an upper hand in mobile phone development. They incorporated important divisions into their company and sold off unneeded assets.
5. Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham Merger. Deal Size: £46 billion
Completion of acquisition: December 2000
Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham merged in 2000 to form GlaxoSmithKline. At the time, it became the biggest pharmaceutical company in the world.
The merger helped the new company grow its presence in the U.S. and Europe, and combined its strengths in prescription drugs and consumer health products. It also led to:
- Funding for research,
- Expected yearly savings of over £1 billion
- Increased global influence
Why It Matters: Created GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. GSK became a global leader in vaccine and pharmaceutical innovation, though its performance over the years has seen ups and downs.
6. Lloyds TSB Acquires HBOS. Deal Size: £12.2 billion
Completion of acquisition: January 2019
Lloyds TSB agreed to buy HBOS for £12.2 billion in 2008 to prevent its collapse during the global credit crisis. The deal was supported by the UK government and gave HBOS shareholders a significant premium on their shares.
Why It Matters: Emergency merger during the 2008 financial crisis to prevent the collapse of HBOS. This merger was important for stabilizing the banks, and it helped Lloyds TSB strengthen its position in the UK banking sector. After the announcement,
- Lloyds TSB’s market value rose to £16.4 billion (with shares at 283 pence).
- HBOS’s market value increased to £10.8 billion (with shares rising 40% to 206.5 pence)
7. SoftBank Acquires ARM Holdings (2016). Deal Size: £24 billion
Completion of acquisition: September 2016
In 2016, SoftBank bought UK-based chip maker ARM Holdings for £24 billion, making it the biggest tech deal in the UK. It was a strategic move to expand into the growing Internet of Things (IoT) market.
Although ARM was removed from the London Stock Exchange, it continues to run as an independent company. The purchase was financed through selling other assets and taking a $9 billion loan.
Why It Matters: ARM, a British chip design powerhouse, became one of the UK’s most valuable tech companies. ARM remained headquartered in the UK, but the deal sparked debate on foreign takeovers of strategic tech assets.
8. Nord Anglia Education Acquired by EQT and Other Investors (2025). Deal Size: £11 billion
Completion of acquisition: March 2025
The acquisition of Nord Anglia Education is one of the most recent mergers and acquisitions in UK. Nord Anglia Education runs over 80 private international schools in 33 countries. It was acquired by a group of global investors (including EQT) in 2025.
The company teaches more than 90,000 students and is known for working with top institutions like MIT and Juilliard. The new investors aim to support Nord Anglia’s growth, innovation, and long-term stability.
Jean Eric Salata, chairperson of EQT Asia and Head of Private Capital Asia, commented: “The strength and diversity of this expanded shareholder base will reinforce the company’s long-term stability, provide additional strategic capital, and unlock new opportunities for innovation. We look forward to this next chapter and to seeing Nord Anglia continue to set new benchmarks in academic excellence and global impact.”
Why It Matters: This deal brings in strong financial backing and global expertise, helping Nord Anglia expand further and improve education quality. It also strengthens the company’s future as a leading provider of premium private education worldwide.
Conclusion
The UK is home to many significant business transactions, as we have seen some of the best UK mergers and acquisitions. In fact, we can only wonder what else is in store. We look forward to new, exciting developments that will help people worldwide.
FAQs
What is the largest M&A deal in UK history?
Vodafone’s acquisition of Germany’s Mannesmann in 2000 tops the list of the largest mergers and acquisitions involving UK companies. The total deal value was £126.95 billion.
Why are M&A deals important in business?
Mergers and acquisitions are a proven way to:
- Create synergies
- Increase market presence
- Achieve economies of scale
- Acquire better talent
- Accelerate growth
- Penetrate new markets
- Access new technologies