By JP Harrop, group head of sales, SGG

The UK private equity (PE) industry has just emerged from a remarkably successful year. But these triumphs are being put at risk by the UK’s current Brexit uncertainties. Up until now, the UK PE sector – like much of the economy – has essentially been in a state of phoney war since the referendum; much of this due to the seemingly endless political trials and tribulations that have been unleashed since June 2016.

Rather than panic or exodus, the general reaction of managers and investors both domestic and abroad over the past two years has been to circle in a holding pattern, awaiting a more concrete prognosis on the future of UK-EU relations before making any major strategic decisions.

The shared assumption has been that whatever ultimately emerges from the smoke,...