The UK’s weather may still be cold but its equity capital markets are warming up nicely. Just over £2.6bn worth of UK IPOs priced during the first quarter of 2013, compared with a measly £71m for the same period in 2012.

By the end of March this year, housebuilder Crest Nicholson, estate agent Countrywide, insurer esure, renewable-focused fund Greencoat UK Wind, and cabling manufacturer HellermannTyton had all listed on the London Stock Exchange, and were trading strongly in the secondary market.