South: Solent Deals Awards 2015 celebrate a growing market

A record 507 entry nominations, a prestigious venue familiar with winning performances, and eleven awards to honour top firms and individuals in the region – this was the Solent Deals Awards 2015 at St. Mary’s Stadium in Southampton.

David Murray, publisher of The Business Magazine, proudly announced that nominations received had soared 60% for the second year running – growing evidence of the sustained UK economic recovery underpinning a buoyant corporate finance arena, plus the gathering momentum and increasing status of the Deals Awards.

“We all know that 2014 was a good year for deals – here on the south coast as much as anywhere else.

“Merger and acquisition activity hit a new peak worldwide in 2014 – its best performance in five years. And private equity activity was at its highest point since 2007.

“Many of the firms in this room have told us they are negotiating on a good volume of deals right now. Murray stated, as he welcomed 250 guests to the gala evening.

“PE firms are looking to invest in growing companies; cash-rich corporates are in the market for acquisitions; new and alternative sources of capital are available for management teams considering buyouts. It all seems set fair for a busy 2015 and beyond.”

Murray thanked all the Solent Deals Awards category sponsors for their much-valued support – Coffin Mew, BCMS, HSBC, Meridian Corporate Finance, Moore Blatch, Pitmans, PwC, Taylor Made Computer Solutions, UBS and WK Corporate Finance.

And paid tribute to the Deals Awards judges for their professional knowledge, stamina, and concentrated effort.

Murray also introduced a special guest, Emma Kettle, commercial director of Teamorigin Events, to provide an insight into the America’s Cup World Series taking place this summer in the Solent seas off Portsmouth.

Then it was on to Labour political adviser turned satirist and stand-up comedian Matt Forde to oversee the Solent Deals Awards scene with style, impersonations, and humour, easing an eager audience into a happy mood ready to celebrate success.

Awards took place throughout the prestigious evening, between courses of a mouth-watering menu. Guests used table keypads to vote on the night for three of the award winners – Dealmaker of the Year, and two Deal of the Year categories.

One certain ‘winner’ during the evening (June 11) was the event’s chosen charity – Brain Tumour Research – which had its funds boosted by £2,320.81 through table collections from the generous corporate finance community attending. The BDO/Paris Smith top fundraising table donated its magnum of champagne prize back to the charity for fundraising purposes.

 

The winners of the Solent Deals Awards 2015 were as follows:

 

Private Equity Firm of the Year
Winner: Altitude Partners

Lawyer of the Year
Winner: Lynn Knight of Shoosmiths

Due Diligence Team of the Year
Winner: Baker Tilly

Management Team of the Year
Winner: Selwood – led by chief executive Chris Garrett.

Corporate Finance Adviser of the Year
Winner: Michael Barcia of Meridian Corporate Finance

Law Firm of the Year
Winner: Pitmans

Corporate Finance Team of the Year
Winner: Spectrum Corporate Finance

Bank of the Year
Winner: RBS/NatWest

Dealmaker of the Year
Winner: Darren Thompson – Meridian Corporate Financ

Deal of the Year (under £25m)
Winner: 3Si (Safety & Survival Systems International) acquisition of Besse & Mill

Deal of the Year (over £25m)
Winner: Selwood Group acquisition and growth funding

A full list of the finalists and images from the event can be found on the Solent Deals Awards website here.