Transactions included within the dataset are limited to those with an enterprise value of up to £200 million and exclude asset-only transactions and real estate deals, ensuring that the analysis is focused on corporate acquisitions that contribute to platform-building strategies. Only completed transactions have been included, and all deals have been reviewed and classified based on publicly available information.

A key feature of the methodology is the use of a repeat-acquirer threshold. Only those acquirers that have completed at least five qualifying acquisitions within any rolling three-year period are included. This approach allows the analysis to focus on buyers demonstrating consistent acquisition behaviour, rather than those undertaking isolated or opportunistic transactions. The result is a cohort of 360 consolidators, representing some of the most active participants in the UK mid-market.

These acquirers are then classified as either private equity-backed or non-PE-backed based on verified ownership structures at the time of transaction. This classification enables a comparative analysis of behaviour, sector focus and activity levels across the two groups, providing a clearer understanding of how different types of buyer approach buy-and-build strategies.

In total, the dataset comprises approximately 3,700 acquisitions, providing a robust basis for identifying trends in deal cadence, sector concentration and the evolution of acquisition strategies over time. Transactions have been categorised by sector based on the primary business activity of the target, allowing for analysis of where consolidation is most active and how that has shifted over the period.