The Megabuyte CEOBarometer Podcast

• Megabuyte CEOBarometer Pocast: Q4 2025

  This quarter’s CEOBarometer analyses a UK tech sector showing signs of stabilisation but still struggling to regain pre-COVID momentum. Growth across Software has levelled off while ICT Services remain under pressure, and capital markets and private equity deal flow are subdued. We look at why 2025 has disappointed, what cautious optimism for 2026 looks like, and how vertical focus, disciplined go-to-market execution, and realistic budgeting will define success for companies. Plus, we look ahead to Megabuyte’s 2026 events programme and the State-of-the-Nation event in January, which will set the agenda for tech boardrooms – from AI and growth strategy to financial benchmarking and M&A.   Timestamps: 00:50 - Megabuyte 2026 Events: Preview of the 2026 events programme, including the State-of-the-Nation on 29 Jan. 08:30 - Growth Outlook: Stabilisation without rebound, and what “flat being good” says about 2025 performance. 19:07 - Capital Markets: Minimal IPO and fund-raising activity, and valuations still under pressure. 29:26 - Private Equity, Venture & Growth Capital: Selective investors, continued “flight to quality,” and cautious appetite for mid-market deals. 48:27 - M&A: Deal volumes low but standout assets still command premium multiples; Software outperforming ICT Services. About this podcast Our quarterly podcast offers a clear, strategic perspective on the forces shaping the UK tech sector—M&A, capital flows, valuations, AI, and more. Hosted by Megabuyte’s Founder & Chairman, Ian Spence, and Megabuyte’s Head of Research & Consulting, Neel Arampatta, the CEOBarometer is designed for CxOs of scale-ups and mid-market companies who value depth over noise. Learn how at www.megabuyte.com or search ‘Megabuyte for CxOs’.

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• Megabuyte CEOBarometer Podcast: Q3 2025

  This quarter’s CEOBarometer dives into the realities of a UK tech sector that entered 2025 expecting growth but is instead facing slower trading, elongated sales cycles, and selective capital. We explore the standouts bucking the trend - from ICT players like Wireless Logic to software innovators like Nervecentre and Origin - and unpack how AI adoption, capital market shifts, private equity’s “flight to quality,” and selective M&A are reshaping the landscape. The takeaway? In today’s market, success comes down to sharp positioning, clear focus, and strong execution. Timestamps: 01:16 - Growth Outlook - Who’s outpacing the slowdown and how they’re doing it. 15:11 - AI in Action - MSPs transform with automation; vertical AI gains serious traction. 39:53 - Capital Markets - UK tech stocks surge; could Visma’s IPO land in London? 48.30 - Private Equity, Venture & Growth Capital - Premium deals for top performers despite cautious capital. 54:20 - M&A - Selective buyers, standout valuations, and SS&C’s £800m+ Calastone play. Transcript available here or save for offline by hitting 'Download' above About this podcast Our quarterly podcast offers a clear, strategic perspective on the forces shaping the UK tech sector—M&A, capital flows, valuations, AI, and more. Hosted by Megabuyte’s Founder & Chairman, Ian Spence, and Megabuyte’s Head of Research & Consulting, Neel Arampatta, the CEOBarometer is designed for CxOs of scale-ups and mid-market companies who value depth over noise. Learn how at www.megabuyte.com or search ‘Megabuyte for CxOs’.

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• Megabuyte CEOBarometer Podcast: Q2 2025

  This quarter’s CEOBarometer spotlights subdued trading conditions, faltering investment flows, and the selective rise of AI. Organic growth has slowed across the board—Software companies posted 13% growth, while ICT Services lagged at 7%. The deceleration is sharpest in consulting services, where low recurring revenue and discretionary budget cuts have driven many businesses into stagnation. In contrast, recurring revenue models continue to provide resilience in Software, where growth has largely stabilised at pre-COVID levels. Despite these challenges, standout performers in areas like cybersecurity and defence—such as Bridewell, DIGI2AL, and FSP—are still delivering strong double-digit growth, proving that execution and sector positioning remain critical. The investment landscape also reflects mounting caution. UK-listed tech valuations have dipped below 10x EV/EBITDA, IPO activity remains stalled, and private equity deal volumes have halved year-on-year. Meanwhile rising debt levels and cash interest payments continue to cause stress for some. While top-tier software firms continue to command strong multiples, ICT Services valuations—particularly in consulting—have seen a significant reset. Venture funding tells a two-speed story: capital remains available for late-stage, AI-native businesses such as Quantexa and Luminance, but pre-Series A funding has collapsed, narrowing the pipeline for future investment. As the sector recalibrates, this episode offers critical insights into where growth is holding up, where confidence is fading, and what tech leaders need to consider as they navigate another year of cautious optimism and selective momentum. Transcript available here or save for offline by hitting 'Download' above About this podcast Our quarterly podcast offers a clear, strategic perspective on the forces shaping the UK tech sector—M&A, capital flows, valuations, AI, and more. Hosted by Megabuyte’s Founder & Chairman, Ian Spence, and Megabuyte’s Head of Research & Consulting, Neel Arampatta, the CEOBarometer is designed for CxOs of scale-ups and mid-market companies who value depth over noise. Learn how at www.megabuyte.com or search ‘Megabuyte for CxOs’. Skip to: Growth Outlook 01m 37s Capital Markets 22m 20s Private Equity 33m 57s Venture & Growth Capital 55m 56s M&A 01h 01m 18s    

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• Megabuyte CEOBarometer Podcast: January 2025 – Insights for UK Tech CEOs and Boards

  In this month's podcast: As we enter 2025, this month’s Megabuyte CEOBarometer adopts a slightly different format. Like last January’s episode, this month’s show runs to an hour to provide a comprehensive round-up of the past year and set the scene for the year ahead. The podcast begins with a 12-month retrospective, revisiting key technology and growth trends, corporate activity data, and a look back at our 2024 predictions to assess their accuracy. Building on these insights, we then turn to our forward-looking predictions for 2025, offering perspectives on the themes that will shape the year ahead. This month’s predictions touch on all the usual topics covered in the podcast but also feature a focused segment on AI, which remains a pivotal agenda item for UK tech leaders. So, in summary, we were pretty bullish at the start of last year about the outlook for 2024. However, while the year proved stronger than 2023, persistent corporate caution and political uncertainty limited the pace of recovery. Deal activity remained more muted than expected, with capital markets notably poor, while private equity remained relatively robust. Looking ahead, with the exception of capital markets, we expect a gradually improving picture for corporate activity and valuations. This month’s show captures all these themes in detail, providing a balanced look back at 2024 and forward to what lies ahead in 2025. Transcript available here or save for offline by hitting 'Download' above About this podcast The CEOBarometer podcast is a quarterly publication hosted by Ian Spence, Founder and Chairman of Megabuyte. In each episode, Ian provides expert analysis of key trends in UK tech M&A, capital markets, private equity, and venture capital, and explores their implications for the boards of UK tech companies. Megabuyte supports UK scale-up and mid-market Software and ICT Services companies to develop robust growth strategies, understand their competitive landscape and customer sentiment, benchmark their financial performance and valuation, and identify and track M&A targets. Learn how at www.megabuyte.com or search ‘Megabuyte for CxOs’.   Skip to: Tech Trends 01m 05s       - AI Predictions for 2025 04m 50s Growth Outlook 19m 47s Capital Markets 27m 29s Private Equity 37m 00s Venture & Growth Capital 39m 12s M&A 41m 41s 5 Key Recommendations for Boards 44m 16s

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• Megabuyte CEOBarometer Podcast: December 2024 – Insights for UK Tech CEOs and Boards

  In this month's podcast: Finally, some good news! UK tech sector share prices and valuations actually saw some meaningful improvement in November, making it a positive month for the sector across the board. As expected, M&A volumes were strong, boosted by pre-budget deals, with ICT Services activity seeing a particularly notable pop. Private equity had a strong showing too, with a 10% year-on-year rise in deals, driven largely by MBOs making a return after some time. Even the downtrodden venture capital sector had a good month, raising over £500m - its best month since May - thanks to increasingly clear AI drivers. Of course, the capital markets didn’t get the memo and logged yet another month of no meaningful deal activity. Transcript available here or save for offline by hitting 'Download' above About this podcast The CEOBarometer podcast is a monthly publication hosted by Ian Spence, Founder and Chairman of Megabuyte. In each episode, Ian provides expert analysis of key trends in UK tech M&A, capital markets, private equity, and venture capital, and explores their implications for the boards of UK tech companies. Megabuyte supports UK scale-up and mid-market Software and ICT Services companies to develop robust growth strategies, understand their competitive landscape and customer sentiment, benchmark their financial performance and valuation, and identify and track M&A targets. Learn how at www.megabuyte.com or search ‘Megabuyte for CxOs’. Skip to: News Analysis 00m 48s Capital Markets 05m 12s Private Equity 08m 45s Venture & Growth Capital 14m 46s M&A 20m 54s

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