As we begin 2026, we, at EQ, look forward to seeing the benefits of the changes set out in the LSE’s Feedback Statement. The LSE have re-iterated that AIM remains a vital growth market and has strong support for its role between private and Main markets. A top priority identified was access to capital, with a need to address domestic equity outflows and restore liquidity for smaller quoted companies.
On publication, in November 2025, the paper set out immediate rule changes and future direction with the goal of positioning AIM as the global destination for innovative, diverse and growing businesses while maintaining flexibility and competitiveness. The purpose of the changes aims to reduce friction, support founder-led businesses and enable faster transactions and cost efficiency.
Briefly, immediate changes include:
- allowing dual-class share structures, similar to the Main Market
- providing flexibility on director remuneration, enabling competitive remuneration without unnecessary compliance friction
- streamlining M&A and reverse takeover rules
- allowing accounting flexibility, using UK GAAP for historical financials, instead of converting to IFRS
- simplifying admission of second lines of securities without the need for a full Admission Document
Looking forwards, we can expect future developments to include:
- digitising and simplifying AIM Admission Documents
- enhancing AIM’s branding and digital presence
- exploring trading innovations
- LSE continuing to engage with government and regulators on competitiveness
LSE Capital Raising for growth markets: in the LSE’s Markets Update 11th Edition, issued December 2025, the LSE note that for the last 10 years combined, 53% of all capital raised on European growth markets has been raised on AIM. In publishing these statistics, it is evident that the LSE remain focussed on AIM as a destination for growth businesses.
What’s next? For early 2026, we look forward to the LSE launching a consultation on AIM Rule changes and the issue of new technical guidance for nominated advisers. Over the longer term we anticipate technology upgrades, admission process redesign and secondary market improvements.
As a champion for the continued success of AIM, we remain fully committed to supporting AIM’s evolution and success – for the benefit of companies, investors and the UK economy.
Thinking about AIM for your corporate growth journey?
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