The UK will turn to Goldman Sachs to help rescue London’s IPO market

The UK government is working with Wall Street to revive London’s fade appeal as a global wrist hub.

Prime Minister Rachel Reeves and Anthony Gutman, one of Goldman Sachs’ top investment bankers, will co-host a private roundtable with technology and other growth executives on Monday, pitching London as their first public viable viable destination (IPO).

Can London still compete for a global list of technology and cryptography?

According to Tradfi Media, the Treasury Department has held a meeting to hear opinions on how it is viewed on the appeal of the UK. The rally also highlights recent reforms aimed at increasing competitiveness in the capital market.

Newly appointed city minister Lucy Rigby joins Reeves, and Gutman gives an overview of the current IPO sector. The event reflects the urgency of London’s listing crisis, which hit its 30-year low in August.

Once a fierce centre of the global equity market, the UK’s capital ranked 23rd globally due to IPO funding, and even Mexico fell. Revenue fell to 69% to just $248 million, the lowest in 35 years, according to Bloomberg.

“The biggest London IPO of the year – April offer from Accountancy MHA PLC – raised £98 million ($132 million); Major Wall Street Bank is not involved. Instead, small local outfits like Cavendish Plc and Singer Capital Markets are in place.

Competitors describe Goldman’s presence at a Treasury-led meeting as extremely rare. In their opinion, it effectively offers a free pitch to US banks and companies considering where to list.

Still, the partnership reflects growing concern that Westminster and London risk losing their position in New York forever.

The decline of London’s IPOs will deepen as the US booms

Treasury outreach timing occurs as the contrast between the UK and US markets grows into starkers. Data from Bar Chart London raised just £160 million ($215 million) in five transactions in the first half of 2025, bringing its weakest performance since 1995.

The US exchange raised $28.3 billion on a list of 156 driven primarily by next-generation technology and digital asset companies.

Companies such as Circle Internet Internet Group, Bullish and Figure Technology have skyrocketed since their stocks went public. The Circle stock has been rising sharply since its June debut, and after an IPO in August, Bullish’s rating has almost doubled.

The US now represents a new global capital magnet for founders who are chasing liquidity, visibility and strong valuations.

Back in London, investors and analysts condemn the mix of regulatory hurdles, diversity, ESG obligations and high stamp obligations to prevent founders from making public in the UK.

“The sad reality… The problem is that the EU has made the same mistake many times. That remains the case. Innovation is killed by EU regulations before it becomes feasible… They destroy all possibilities by overregulating when they are not needed.”

Financial experts like James Graham argue that the London Stock Exchange’s DEI requirements, including board diversity allocations and costly environmental disclosures, are borderline charges that make IPOs unattractive to growth stage companies.

The Treasury claims that it is working to make the UK a great place for businesses to start, expand, list and stay. They are pushing for new measures to allow changes, such as the IPO’s listing task force and potential stamp duty exemptions.

The UK Post has turned to Goldman Sachs to help rescue the London IPO market.