Private equity M&A running at 11-year high in Europe

Britain accounts for 17.3% of activity across the Continent so far this year

UK private equity-backed acquisitions in Europe are at an 11-year high, reaching $18.2bn (£14.33bn) so far this year.

And 17.3 per cent of those transactions have taken place within the UK, according to data collected by Thomson Reuters.

Italy and Spain are especially busy regions, with private-equity-backed acquisitions totalling $11.7bn.

The boom in private equity-backed deals reflects the wider rise in global M&A activity.