Deal Desk
M&A deals, 7 October 2026
· 5 deals
Our view: Buyers, from regional operators to listed consolidators and sponsor-backed groups, are paying for established capability, brands and local teams, so founders who prepare their business, their working capital and their own role well before a sale will hold the stronger hand.
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Southeast Asia · Technology distribution · NZD 138.0 million (approximately AUD 111.8 million)
Dicker Data to acquire Sektor Group, adding operations in Thailand and Malaysia
Dicker Data has agreed to acquire 100% of Sektor Group for NZD 138.0 million (approximately AUD 111.8 million) on a cash-free, debt-free, normalised working capital basis, funded by an extension of its existing debt facilities. Sektor operates in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Malaysia, and reported gross revenue of NZD 440 million in the 12 months to 31 August 2026.
The Growth Alliance Capital view
Australian and New Zealand groups are buying into Southeast Asia rather than building there from scratch, which favours founders who already hold vendor relationships and local teams. A cash-free, debt-free, normalised working capital deal structure is standard, so founders should get their working capital baseline right well before a sale process starts.
Source: IT Brief Asia
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Southeast Asia · Consumer retail and apparel
BrilliA acquires majority interest in Malaysian lingerie brand Neubodi
BrilliA Incorporated acquired a majority equity interest in Neubodi Holdings Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysian lingerie brand and specialty retailer with 11 stores across the Klang Valley, Penang and Johor, effective 1 August 2026. Co-founder Tan See See continues as Chief Executive Officer.
The Growth Alliance Capital view
a listed supplier is buying a founder-led retail brand to move closer to the end customer. Keeping the founder on as chief executive after a majority sale is a common structure for small consumer brands, and founders should expect to negotiate their continuing role alongside the price.
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Southeast Asia · Aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul
Malaysia Aviation Group to acquire Sepang Aircraft Engineering from Airbus
Malaysia Aviation Group has signed a sale and purchase agreement with Airbus to acquire Sepang Aircraft Engineering, which is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Airbus Group. The transaction is subject to customary conditions precedent, including approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, and completion is targeted for 2027.
The Growth Alliance Capital view
operators are buying specialist capability, not just capacity, as they look to grow revenue from third parties. Founders of niche engineering and services businesses in the region should note that a capability a large buyer cannot easily replicate is often what decides the deal.
Source: The Star
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Asia · Financial services · KRW 440 billion
Hanwha Life to acquire controlling stake in Acuon Capital from EQT
Hanwha Life's board approved on 30 September 2026 the purchase of a 50.54% stake in Acuon Capital for KRW 440 billion, through a joint investment with Centroid PE, with EQT as the seller. Acuon Capital owns 100% of Acuon Savings Bank, and completion is subject to regulatory approval.
The Growth Alliance Capital view
a private equity exit to a strategic buyer partnered with a financial sponsor shows how hybrid buyer groups are funding control deals in Asia. Founders running a sale should treat strategic and private equity buyers as possible co-bidders, not only as competitors.
Source: Insurance Edge
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Global · B2B events and media · GBP 2.24 billion (US$3 billion)
Informa to buy events group Clarion from Blackstone for GBP 2.24 billion
Informa agreed to buy Clarion, which owns more than 100 B2B live event brands including IFA Berlin, from Blackstone for GBP 2.24 billion (US$3 billion), partly funded by GBP 940 million in new equity. Informa also launched a formal separation process to review options for its academic publishing division, Taylor & Francis.
The Growth Alliance Capital view
listed consolidators are still buying scale from private equity owners and selling off the divisions that no longer fit. Founders of event, media and other niche B2B businesses in Southeast Asia should expect these large platforms to keep adding regional brands to their portfolios.
Source: The Edge Malaysia (Reuters)
Deal Desk summarises publicly announced transactions from the sources linked. "The Growth Alliance Capital view" is our opinion, not investment advice, and implies no involvement in any transaction mentioned.