The London Stock Exchange expects a flurry of company flotations related to an upturn in the North Sea energy sector.
The exchange said renewed confidence and a swathe of foreign investment from South Korea, China and other first-time entrants to the UK Continental Shelf meant a wave of initial public offerings (IPO) from new companies was likely.
The LSE said renewed vibrancy in the oil and gas sector had led to its decision to hold an IPO forum in Aberdeen later this month.
The event is aimed at chief executives and chief financial officers and will see the LSE bring a team of capital markets, fund management, accounting and legal experts north to speak face to face with companies mulling over a flotation.
Allister Langlands, chairman of Aberdeen-based energy services giant Wood Group, will give his experience of the benefits and pitfalls of managing a listed company while Bruce Dingwall, chairman of Trinity Exploration and Production, will contrast his time at Venture Production, which listed on the LSE in 2002, and with his current firm.
Rosalie Chadwick, partner and co-head of capital markets with event support Pinsent Masons, said: “The Stock Exchange has identified a number of potential IPO candidates in Aberdeen companies which boast the key components regulators and investors look for in a listed company.
“Those qualities are top class management teams, strong internal controls, sound financials and excellent growth prospects.
“There are also certain core sectors the Stock Exchange view as well suited to the capital markets and oil and gas E&P and services companies have traditionally ticked these boxes.
“Another reason for the LSE’s focus on Aberdeen is the wealth of top quality private equity backed companies in the region.”