Despite September playing host to just seven merger and acquisition deals in the insurance sector, consultancy MarshBerry forecasts an increase in that number as companies push to complete deals ahead of expected increases in capital gains tax it believes will be announced in the forthcoming autumn Budget.

MarshBerry said that at the end of Q3, the year-to-date deal count was 105, which is down 9% on the same period last year.

John Nisbet (pictured), managing director at MarshBerry, said: “Based on MarshBerry’s experience and own level of current activity with clients, there are numerous transactions currently at advanced stages of due diligence and racing to complete before 30 October.”