LAW firm MacRoberts has predicted a growing number of Scottish business owners will consider making an exit this year.

The firm said improving bank financing and private equity money will play a part while many large and mid-size corporate companies are also looking to grow.

That is likely to lead to more attractive deal valuations for owners to consider, especially those who decided to stay on through the recession rather than try to leave during a more difficult period.

David Wylie, partner, said: "Almost every day something lands on my desk related to buyers looking for acquisition opportunities.

"It has taken a while for the Scottish deal market to find its feet.

"However, the combination of more bank finance, a hungry, well-funded private equity community and large and mid-size corporates firmly back in 'growth and expansion mode' means that there are more opportunities across the Scottish deals market for owners who might want to consider exit."

Mr Wylie said Dundee, where he is based, is benefiting from its waterfront regeneration scheme in a number of ways including an increasing awareness of the city from investors.

He said: "We have had lots of inquiries from investors looking for Dundee opportunities, whether that be good management teams to back or acquisitions.

"For a while I think the Dundee market was perhaps overlooked by these sorts of investors. However, with everything that is going on in the city, there is no doubt interest is definitely on the rise."