Rainmaker Awards

Rising Star

Ben Donati - FW Capital

Ben Donati transitioned from an accounting background to complete over a dozen self-generated deals totaling more than £4m since joining FW Capital in 2024. Combining analytical rigor with strong business development, the 25-year-old Investment Executive quickly established himself as an influential dealmaker supporting local business growth across the region.

Louis Hall - BGF

BGF Investor Louis Hall has quickly become a key member of the South West & Wales team, contributing to investments in Signable, Rappor, and PlantEx Ingredients, plus the exit of Nonwovenn. Active in BGF's NextGen network, he actively supports portfolio acquisitions and builds strong relationships across the regional dealmaking community.

Tom Hicks - PKF Francis Clark

Promoted to Director in 2025 after 14 years with PKF Francis Clark, Tom Hicks is a leading South West adviser. He guides SMEs, entrepreneurs, and corporates through sales, PE investments, and acquisitions, recently advising YFM Equity Partners on its investment in Swanky Group and shareholders on the sale of Connected ID.

James Johnson - Momentum Corporate Finance

Promoted to Director in April 2026, James Johnson has taken on senior responsibilities leading complex, PE-backed transactions. His notable deal highlights include advising Newable on the sale of ARC to LDC and advising Phoenix-backed Logiq on its acquisition of Savient, proving key to the successful completion of both transactions.

Rafi Khan - Maven Capital Partners

Since joining Maven in 2023, Director Rafi Khan has led key investments in HTMS, Blueskytec, and Third Space Learning. Formerly an Assistant Director at Deloitte, he expertly guides first-time founders through institutional fundraising, takes board roles, and actively supports early-stage accelerator programmes and founder events across the South West.

Vera Kuehne - LDC

LDC Investment Manager Vera Kuehne has contributed to high-profile transactions across technology, industrials, and business services, including LDC's exit from Zip World and investment in Taking Care. Known for her collaborative approach, she holds Non-Executive Director roles at Taking Care and Vista Technology Support, supporting ongoing portfolio growth. (

Katie Shaw - Maven Capital Partners

Maven Senior Associate Katie Shaw has delivered multiple complex investments, including Eden Conveyancing, Tixserve, and Luna Pet Healthcare. ACA-qualified from PwC, she combines analytical rigour with strong relationship management to guide first-time founders. Katie also actively supports South West female founder initiatives and investment-readiness programmes across the region.

Richard Strong - EY

Assistant Director Richard Strong brings c.12 years of mid-market M&A experience across technology and asset-backed sectors. Over the past year, he led complex transactions including MML’s £50m investment in Close Brewery Rentals, the sale of FixMyCar, and the £62m international sale of B&H Worldwide.

Changemaker

Melanie Goward - Maven Capital Partners

Dr Melanie Goward champions diversity and accessibility across the South West investment ecosystem. Alongside leading investments, she spearheads Female Founder workshops and open-door "Meet the Investor" sessions. Melanie actively supports regional investment-readiness initiatives, advocates for underrepresented entrepreneurs, and mentors colleagues to foster an inclusive, collaborative culture.

Nick Jones - Grant Thornton

Promoted to Partner at Grant Thornton, Nick Jones leads the firm's healthcare practice, creating a collaborative, high-performing team. He advises owner-managers and investors across care, fertility, and healthcare services on complex transactions like Taking Care, driving positive sector impact, sustainable business growth, and internal talent development.

Andrew Killick - PKF Francis Clark

Partner and Head of Corporate Finance for the Southern region, Andrew brings over 25 years’ experience advising entrepreneurs and management teams. Covering equity raising, MBOs, acquisitions, disposals, and stock market listings, his extensive background across Big 4, banking, and VC environments ensures a pragmatic approach and exceptional transaction success rate.

Luke Matthews - Maven Capital Partners

With over two decades in the South West business ecosystem, Luke Matthews delivers transformational investments through Maven and the South West Investment Fund. He connects founders with growth capital, regularly mentors early-stage entrepreneurs and junior investment professionals, and actively leads regional founder workshops and investment-readiness programmes.

Mark Naughton - FRP Corporate Finance

Mark Naughton built successful corporate finance teams at FRP and Grant Thornton while driving positive community impact. A decade-long trustee of a children’s charity trust distributing £120k annually, he also established paid student internships with the University of Bristol and introduced two annual paid volunteering days for all FRP staff.

Nina Searle - TLT

TLT Partner Nina Searle drives regional gender equality and entrepreneurship. Co-sponsoring TLT's Women's Equality Network, she helped double its membership and achieve 33% female partner representation early. Externally, she leads the firm's fast-growth business practice, partnering with Engine Shed and SETsquared to champion female founders and angel investors.

John Workman - BPE Solicitors

BPE Senior Partner John Workman led a 2005 MBO to build BPE into a leading South West law firm while raising £100,000+ through 5,000 miles of charitable cycling. He leads volunteering missions to South Africa, serves on the Everyman Theatre board, and serves as Honorary Consul for Estonia.

Rainmaker

Alastair Boorman - Momentum Corporate Finance

Partner Ali joined Momentum at its founding in 2005 following roles at EY and PwC. Promoted to Partner in 2010, he brings over 20 years’ corporate finance experience advising on a wide range of transactions, with deep sector expertise in technology, cyber security, engineering, and business services.

Matthew Eves - EY

An experienced EY dealmaker in the South of England, Matthew Eves brings over 20 years’ experience as a lead adviser, principal, and investor. Specialising in private equity, corporate finance, and M&A, his background includes founding multiple ventures across SME investment, property management, eco-home development, and thoroughbred pin-hooking.

Melanie Goward - Maven Capital Partners

Dr Melanie Goward champions diversity and accessibility across the South West investment ecosystem. Alongside leading investments, she spearheads Female Founder workshops and open-door "Meet the Investor" sessions. Melanie actively supports regional investment-readiness initiatives, advocates for underrepresented entrepreneurs, and mentors colleagues to foster an inclusive, collaborative culture.

Stefan Gunn - LDC

Investment Director Stefan partners with management teams across the South West and Wales. An ACA with 20+ years of corporate finance and private equity experience across TMT, healthcare, and consumer sectors, his deal highlights include investments in Waterscan, The Barrister Group, TMC Pharma Services, Hybrid, and the successful exit of Cakesmiths.

Dewi Hughes - LDC

LDC Partner Dewi leads teams across the South West and Wales. An ACA with extensive PE experience, he joined LDC in 2016, driving key investments and exits including Taking Care, Idwal, TMC Pharma Services, Zip World (£100m+ valuation), Plimsoll Productions (£131m sale), and ADEY (£210m exit).

Hannah King - BGF

Chartered accountant Hannah joined BGF from Grant Thornton, where she spent five years in Corporate Finance and Restructuring in Wales. Bringing regional transaction experience across healthcare and business support services, her role involves originating new deals, meeting entrepreneurs, and supporting BGF’s extensive portfolio across the region.

Mark Naughton - FRP Corporate Finance

Mark Naughton built leading South West corporate finance teams at FRP and Grant Thornton while driving community impact. A decade-long trustee of a children’s charity trust distributing £120k annually, he established paid student internships with the University of Bristol and introduced two annual paid volunteering days for all FRP staff.

Rising Star

Peter Abel - Nelsons

Corporate Partner Peter Abel specialises in M&A, investment, and corporate reorganisations for East Midlands owner-managed businesses. Having joined Nelsons from Knights in 2024 alongside three colleagues, he offers deep sector expertise across healthcare, technology, financial services, franchising, and property services to support growing regional clients.

Joe Anderson - PKF Smith Cooper

Joe Anderson, Corporate Finance Manager at PKF Smith Cooper, key driver of transaction delivery, client management, and business development. He has recently played pivotal roles in major sales and EOT transitions, while actively expanding the firm's presence in the Waste and Care sectors and mentoring junior colleagues.

Thomas Boss - Breeze Corporate Finance

Promoted to Director of M&A in 2025, Tom Boss has delivered c.£250m in transactions since 2021 while originating over £100m in deals over the last year. He manages Breeze's ACA programme as ICAEW training lead, mentors trainees, and drives the firm's AI adoption to enhance dealmaking efficiency.

Philip Dean - Cortus Advisory

Director Phil Dean has rapidly established himself as a top Midlands Transaction Services adviser at Cortus. He has led high-profile buy- and sell-side deals, including LDC's investment in Bespoke Kitchen Foods. Beyond dealmaking, Phil mentors ICAEW trainees, leads Cortus's AI working group, and actively supports Nottingham Trent University's RISE programme.

Tom Herbert - BGF

Based in Nottingham, Tom Herbert is an Investor at BGF responsible for identifying and executing regional investments. Prior to BGF, he spent 11 years at KPMG, including five in Midlands Corporate Finance advising on M&A. An ICAEW Chartered Accountant, Tom is passionate about helping local entrepreneurs achieve long-term growth.

Leanne Hopper - PwC

Leanne is a Director in PwC’s Transactions team, she leads the firm's Midlands private business and mid-market private equity agenda, delivering key transactions such as Brookbanks’ investment from CBPE. She is a highly respected dealmaker within business services, actively championing local market collaboration and advocating for female dealmakers through the Midlands Women in Deals network.

Hannah Hutchinson - LDC

Joining LDC in 2015, Hannah has led regional origination since 2022, building strong relationships with ambitious management teams. She originated LDC’s key investments in Eagle Eye Innovations and Bradys Solicitors. Beyond dealmaking, she actively supports the local community by volunteering through LDC’s East Midlands food bank scheme.

Emily McFadyen - Weightmans

Emily is an exceptional associate operating well beyond her level, earning a strong reputation as a trusted adviser on complex corporate finance matters. Routinely leading significant transactions end to end, she combines technical precision with pragmatic judgement under pressure and increasingly originates new work from high-calibre clients.

Tom Rainsford - NatWest

Tom Rainsford is a Relationship Director with NatWest’s East Midlands Corporate Banking team, serving large corporates, public entities, and sponsor-owned companies. Advancing from a school-leaver background, he brings deep expertise in treasury, transaction services, and debt solutions, combining technical banking knowledge with a dedicated relationship-first approach.

Andy Shepherd - Provantage

Andy Shepherd is an empathetic Corporate Finance Advisor known for guiding clients through complex transactions, including the sale of I Holland to Lagercrantz Group AB. A trusted adviser with sharp technical skills, Andy mentors internal talent, leads cross-border research initiatives, and strengthens international partner relationships across the global network.

Changemaker

Paul Bevan - Breeze Corporate Finance

As CEO of Breeze, Paul Bevan has expanded the team to 20 while launching new internship and transaction support programmes. Beyond business growth, he leads extensive community initiatives, securing ACA training status, sponsoring local sports, and driving charity efforts that have raised over £250k for regional causes, including the Children’s Bereavement Centre.

Katie Cash - Cooper Parry

Associate Director Katie Cash delivers high-profile transactions, recently advising Bespoke Kitchen Foods on its investment from LDC. Beyond dealmaking, she leads internal wellbeing and DE&I initiatives, improving parental leave policies. She also founded the Midlands Women in Deals Network, creating a thriving quarterly event series for female dealmakers across the region.

Beth Mather - Gateley

Gateley’s National Head of Corporate, Beth Mather, leads the national corporate team and sits on the Strategic Board. Named in The Lawyer Hot 100 for 2026, she champions talent development and women in law, helped establish Gateley’s UAE corporate practice, and actively connects businesses and advisers across the East Midlands.

Sally Saunders - Provantage

Founder of Provantage Corporate Finance and Chairman of the 7oceans M&A Alliance, Sally Saunders brings 20+ years of corporate finance experience. She challenges traditional business models by promoting international collaboration, empowering teams, championing diversity, and driving meaningful industry change beyond the deals she leads.

Tom Summers - Evolve Corporate Finance

Tom Summers turned a difficult personal challenge into an East Midlands community event by riding a Wattbike continuously for 24 hours to raise funds for cancer charity Big C little c. Uniting colleagues, competitors, and clients across the regional M&A network to ride alongside him, Tom fostered genuine community collaboration and positive regional change.

Hannah Tessyman - Freeths

Promoted to Corporate Partner in April 2026, Hannah leads complex transactions while championing flexible working and mentoring working parents. Recently appointed national "people" lead for Freeths' Corporate department, her inclusive leadership helped her team achieve record revenues, proving that high-level dealmaking and family commitments can successfully coexist.

Rainmaker

Morgan Atherton - Bishopsgate Corporate Finance

Morgan Atherton is Managing Partner at Bishopsgate Corporate Finance, offering 30+ years of M&A and private equity experience. Since leading a management buyout in 2022, he expanded the team from 5 to 18 while driving key East Midlands deals, including Work Wallet’s sale to Ideagen and LDC’s investment in Eagle Eye Innovations.

David Bains - LDC

David leads LDC’s East Midlands and East of England team, backing ambitious management teams through PE partnerships. With 15+ years of experience, he has led high-profile investments and exits—including Littlefish, Shaken Udder, and Brady Solicitors. Beyond dealmaking, David actively supports LDC’s partnership with The King’s Trust in local schools.

Amanda Betts - Provantage

Provantage Partner Amanda Betts brings extensive experience advising shareholders on complex transactions, specialising in cross-border M&A and international collaboration via 7oceans. Key deal highlights include the sale of I Holland to Lagercrantz, Kinetic IT to Circet, SPGL to Certania, and advising Thrive Learning on its acquisitions of Huler and Guider.

Matt Bolton - Browne Jacobson

Matt Bolton recently led Browne Jacobson on major cross-border deals, including Metric Search’s $100m investment by Southfield Capital and Transvac Systems' sale to Ingersoll Rand. He also advised Carbon Underwriting on its landmark FTV Capital investment, mobilising over 50 lawyers and delivering a 6x return for Apiary Capital.

Rob Burden - Clearwater

Rob Burden, Managing Director in Clearwater’s Birmingham office, is a premier Midlands adviser specialising in strategic growth, acquisitions, and exits. Key transactions include Obsequio Group’s sale to Warren Equity Partners and Inspiro Learning’s acquisition of Remit Training. He possesses deep expertise in the education and TICC sectors.

Sally Saunders - Provantage

A founding partner of Provantage Corporate Finance, Sally is a Chartered Accountant with 15 years of M&A experience. Specialising in cross-border deals, particularly in the US, she leverages her first-hand experience as an owner-manager to guide clients through transformational transactions, working tirelessly to deliver results that exceed expectations.

Claire Spencer - PKF Smith Cooper

Claire Spencer, Corporate Finance Partner at PKF Smith Cooper, brings over 25 years of experience guiding business owners through M&A, private equity, and cross-border transactions. Known for her relationship-led approach, she builds long-term client partnerships and is recognised as a skilled dealmaker, trusted adviser, and natural rainmaker across the region.

Harry Walker - DSW

Co-founding DSW Corporate Finance's Midlands team in 2023, Harry Walker has expanded the team from 3 to 8 and delivered over £300m in transaction value across 19 deals. He advises on MBOs, PE investments, and acquisitions, with recognised expertise in the built environment, wealth management, and media sectors.

Rising Star

Georgie Arthur - Evolve Corporate Finance

Georgie is an outstanding emerging talent within the West Midlands corporate finance community, demonstrating significant impact, strong commercial acumen, and leadership well beyond her years. Since joining Evolve in April 2024, she has rapidly progressed, earning promotion to Manager while building an extensive network across the regional deals market and contributing to a positive, high-performing team culture.

Karen Mann - LDC

Karen played a key role in several of LDC’s landmark West Midlands transactions and portfolio growth initiatives during the period. She was instrumental in securing LDC’s investment into Birmingham-based law firm Harper James through a competitive process, building a strong relationship with Toby Harper and his team. Karen delivered this whilst balancing the demands of dealmaking alongside welcoming her second child and supporting LDC’s charitable partnership with Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity.

Will Mason - Debretts

Will Mason is quickly establishing himself as one of the most capable young advisers in the West Midlands. At just 30, he is already a Director at Debrett’s and a key member of the Industrials team, with a growing track record across mid-market transactions.

Christie Nelson - Freeths

In under 12 months at Freeths, Christie has delivered a level of business development impact and market visibility that exceeds expectations for her PQE. She has originated multiple new client relationships, driven a pipeline of opportunities and positioned herself as an emerging figure within the Birmingham corporate finance community. Her early achievements reflect a strategic, entrepreneurial mindset and an ability to convert opportunities into meaningful work for the firm.

Jordan Phillips - Provantage

Jordan is making his mark on Midlands dealmaking after joining Provantage 2 years ago. He has been a strong contributor to the Provantage team's strong 2025/6 deal sheet of 9 deals in 9 months, all delivered by a M&A focussed team in the Midlands.

Callum Shields - KPMG

Callum has been an integral part of the KPMG Corporate Finance team in the Midlands for the last 9 years, consistently advising on transactions in the region over that time, many of which have been to local PE. Some notable deals include the sale of CHS Healthcare (Sutton Coldfield) to BGF, the sale of Mainstay (Worcester) to First Port (backed by Equistone) and the carve out of Correla from Xoserve (Solihull) and its sale to Northedge Capital.

Tom Wisniewski - Hill Dickinson

Tom Wisniewski is an exceptional Senior Associate in Hill Dickinson’s Birmingham corporate team and a key member of the office’s founding cohort. He brings deep experience across mid‑market M&A, private equity transactions, bolt‑on acquisitions, group reorganisations and corporate governance. Tom is a trusted senior adviser on many of the firm’s most strategically important matters and is central to the continued growth and reputation of Hill Dickinson’s West Midlands corporate offering.

Rob Worsfold - Eversheds Sutherland

Rob has established himself as a stand out Principal Associate who, for some time now, has been entrusted to lead transactions for some of our firm's key clients (both private equity and corporate clients) as "pseudo partner". Just some of the transactions that Rob has led over the past 12 months include acting for EMK Capital backed MARCH Engineering on the acquisition of Quantum Controls; HIG Capital backed Axis CLC on the acquisition of Concept Building Services and Sovereign Capital Partners upon the acquisition of Apollo Home Healthcare.

Changemaker

Mohammed Abbas - Freeths

Mohammed is a Partner in the Freeths M&A and Private Equity team and really embodies what it means to be a Changemaker in the West Midlands. A practising Muslim from a South Asian background, Mohammed was born and raised in inner city Birmingham (Sparkhill), and he’s incredibly proud of where he comes from. In an M&A environment that has traditionally felt very white and middle class, Mohammed has never tried to hide who he is. Instead, he’s used his background, identity, and lived experience as a strength; something that has shaped his journey and contributed to the success he’s achieved so far.

Nick Dawson - Hill Dickinson

Nick Dawson has made a significant and lasting contribution to the professional, social, and youth‑development landscape of the West Midlands. As Head of Hill Dickinson’s Birmingham office, Nick led the team that launched the office in February 2024. He is known for championing the career development of others, actively supporting junior colleagues, promoting progression pathways, and fostering an inclusive environment where individuals are encouraged to grow, specialise, and lead.

Zhuo Li - Gateley Legal

Zhuo Li is an outstanding example of a changemaker within the Midlands corporate community. Alongside her impressive technical ability as a Corporate Solicitor, she plays a powerful role in driving inclusion, representation and positive social impact, both within Gateley and across the wider professional landscape.

Tom Parry - BK Plus

Tom is committed to developing both people and the wider community. He has built a mentoring and placement partnership with the University of Birmingham, supporting students and graduates into careers in corporate finance, and serves as Treasurer and Trustee of the Breck Foundation, providing financial oversight and strategic support.

Scott Peters - Quantuma

Joining Quantuma in August 2024, Scott Peters has built one of the region’s fastest-growing Corporate Finance teams - going from a one-person operation to a team of over 12. He invests time in developing junior staff and has become a magnet for emerging talent in the region. In a market where experience is often equated with age, he has demonstrated that clarity of thinking and consistent delivery can be just as powerful.

Rick Smyth - Wilkes

Over 25 years, Rick Smyth has helped raise millions for vulnerable children and charitable causes, transforming lives through sustained commitment and care for those who need it most. Since 2012, Rick has been instrumental in the KidsOut Midlands Committee's success, bringing hope and support to underprivileged and refuge children. He served as Regional Chair for five years until 2021, providing passionate leadership during significant growth, and remains an active committee member today.

Sophie Wardell - Higgs

Sophie is instrumental in creating inclusive environments where people can reach their full potential. She champions early careers access, social mobility and inclusive recruitment, including initiatives that provide mentoring, scholarships and work experience opportunities for young people from underrepresented backgrounds seeking careers in law and professional services. This work helps create real pathways into the profession and broaden access to junior roles within the sector.

Rainmaker

Rob Burden - Clearwater

As a Partner in Clearwater’s Birmingham office and head of the Business Services team, Rob led four major transactions this year, including the landmark sale of Obsequio Group to Warren Equity Partners, Inspiro Learning’s acquisition of Remit Training, Inspiro Learning’s sale to Beech Tree Private Equity and BB7’s sale to Certania, across education and TICC services.

Lee Clifford - Freeths

Heads up one of the Midlands’ most active dealmaking teams - back -to-back winners of the Corporate Law Firm of the Year at the Rainmaker Awards in 2024 & 2025. He drives PE growth strategy in the region. In 25/26 he led teams to deliver 4 transactions that make up this year’s deal shortlist (Harper James LDC buy-out; sale of Frankham Consulting; investment in Montpellier Law and WHS Plastics).

Joe Dyke - Clearwater

As a Partner in Clearwater’s Birmingham office, Joe led four major transactions this year, advising Harper James on LDC’s investment, LDC on Eagle Eye Innovations, Frankham Group’s partnership with LDC and Abtec Group’s investment from Cow Corner, across professional services, technology and industrial services sectors.

Chris Handy - LDC

Chris led LDC’s investment into Birmingham-based law firm Harper James, backing Toby Harper and his team as well as securing one of the West Midlands’ standout deals of 2025 through fierce competition from both local and London-based private equity Firms. During the period, his team also backed five acquisitions for The Pace Group, building on LDC’s relationship and allowing the business to build on its impressive organic growth record with complementary acquisitions. Chris and his team continue to support ambitious management teams across the region with strategic growth, acquisitions and expansion plans despite challenging market conditions.

Clare Hanna - Browne Jacobson

Clare leads Browne Jacobson’s corporate M&A real estate offering and notable deals this year were Warren Equity Partner’s acquisition of Obsequio Group (simultaneously with two bolt-on acquisitions), Phenna Group’s acquisition of Calibre Environmental, Acre Platforms on sale of leading mortgage technology platform to ClearScore, Debrett’s PE acquisition of Meet Your Miracle, and Ortecha Group’s acquisition of Broadgate Consultants.

Andy Moody - Alvarez & Marsal

Andy runs the A&M Corporate Finance team across the Midlands, which he has established and grown to 11 people in the last two years. He led the cross-border sale of Litron Lasers to Nilario (a Systematic Growth platform) and advised Warren Equity Partners on their acquisition of Obsequio.

David Neate - Evolve Corporate Finance

With over 20 years of running a successful independent M&A boutique David launched Evolve in September 2022 with Justin Sparks. Evolve has already established itself as one of the leading boutiques in the West Midlands completing 10 transactions in the last 12 months and opening a second office in Nottingham.

Seb Saywood - BGF

Seb, Partner and Head of the Midlands, led the Deal Teams that completed new investments into Opus Safety and Utelize Communications, plus follow-on investments into several West Midlands based portfolio companies (including Ocee and Simworx). Successful exits with West Midlands advisers included Monodraught (10x money multiple) Wowstuff, Metric Search (138% IRR) plus others that cannot be disclosed. In aggregate, he delivered exits exceeding $1bn in enterprise value during the period.

Sarah Taylor, Clearwater

As a Partner in Clearwater’s Birmingham office within the Business Services team, Sarah specialises in the professional services sector and led two significant transactions this year: Harper James’ investment from LDC and Pollen Street Capital’s majority acquisition of Leonard Curtis, demonstrating strong execution and deep sector relationships with private equity.

Teams

Regional Legal Team

Blacks Solicitors
WINNER: Clarion
Gordons
LCF Law
Schofield Sweeney
Walker Morris

National Legal Team

Addleshaw Goddard
DLA Piper
Eversheds Sutherland
Freeths
Pinsent Masons
Shoosmiths
WINNER: Squire Patton Boggs
Womble Bond Dickinson

Regional CF Advisory Team

Castle Square
Cerelo
Dow Schofield Watts
Park Place CF
WINNER: Sentio
Translink CF

National CF Advisory Team

Alvarez and Marsal
BDO
WINNER: Clearwater
Forvis Mazars
Grant Thornton
KPMG
PwC
Rothschild
RSM

VC/Private Equity Team

BGF
Enact
Endless
Foresight
Key Capital Partners
WINNER: LDC
Mercia
YFM

Turnaround Team

Alvarez and Marsal
BDO
BTG
EY
FRP
Grant Thornton
WINNER: Interpath
Teneo

Asset Based Lending Team

Arbuthnot
Close Brothers
Independent Growth Finance
Leumi
Praetura
Reward Finance
Secure Trust
WINNER: Shawbrook

Debt Funder Team

Barclays
WINNER: HSBC
Lloyds
Natwest
OakNorth
Santander
Thincats
Virgin Money

Transaction Services Team

BDO
Cortus Advisory
Dow Schofield Watts
EY
WINNER: Grant Thornton
KPMG
PwC
Translink CF

Insurance Team

Aon
WINNER: Gallagher
Howden
Markel
Marsh
Partners&
PiB
Tysers
Wiispa

Deals

Out of Region Deal of the Year

Valmas Holdings (X-Rocker brand) completed the management buyout of Ace Casual

Armstrong Watson, Brown Butler, Clarion Solicitors, Dvorak Law Group, Grandway Law Offices, HSBC, Lawrence Stephens, Weightmans

Seat Unique acquired Bristol-based Circuit Hospitality

Clarion, Freeths, RSM

Future plc acquired SheerLuxe

EY, KPMG, TLT

Leyton Orient Football Club was sold to US investor David Gandler

Alvarez & Marsal, Freeths, Kirkland & Ellis International

WINNER: KTC Edibles was sold to Whitworths Food Group

EY, Park Place CF, PwC, Walker Morris

ERA Group sold a majority equity stake to Horizon Capital

Park Place CF, Squire Patton Boggs

Chichester-based CPN Group was sold to 7IM

KPMG, Pinsent Masons, Hill Dickinson, Macfarlanes

Ward Hadaway acquired The Endeavour Partnership

RSM, Ward Hadaway

Early Stage Deal of the Year

ROXFIT, a digital training platform for hybrid athletes, raised £1.9m seed funding

DSW Ventures

WINNER: YFM Equity Partners invested £4m in workforce management software provider, S4 Labour

Freeths, Markel, Squire Patton Boggs, Wiispa

Energy Impact Partners led a Series A investment in AssetCool

Blears, CMS, Haynes Boone, Osborne Clarke, Reitler Kailas & Rosenblatt, Squire Patton Boggs

Growth Fund 1 investment in The Pharmacist Network Group

Brown Butler, Progeny, Squire Patton Boggs, Weightmans

Anticus Partners (Finance Yorkshire) invested in Hyperfinity

Clarion, Freeths

Sitehop raised an additional £7.5m led by investor Northern Gritstone

Holdson raised £1.5m in a round led by The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II

University of Leeds spin-out IVFmicro raised £3.5m in pre-seed funding, led by Northern Gritstone

Northern Gritstone, Innovate UK Investor Partnerships Programme.

Small Deal of the Year (up to £10m)

WINNER: Key Capital acquired CellTech Communications

Addleshaw Goddard, BDO, Cavu Corporate Finance, Cortus Advisory, RPL

Halifax Rack & Screw Cutting was sold to Innovative Power and Metal Technologies

Sentio Partners, Bermans, Dentons, Gordons

Sale of APP Lifting to Amplex AB

Clarion, Park Place CF

Sale of Intelligent Servers and its subsidiary Intelligence Hosting Services to Danish Renewtech

Brabners, DSW, Gorrissen Federspiel

Management buyout of Rotherham-based Home Décor

Dentons, HSBC, Knights, Shorts, Wake Smith Solicitors

Enact acquired Par-Pak Europe and Holfeld Plastics (trading as Waddington Europe)

DLA Piper, Foot Anstey

Thurston Group, a manufacturer of modular and off-site buildings sold to GCH Corporation

Hilco Valuation Services, Squire Patton Boggs, Teneo Financial Advisory

University of Sheffield spin-out Phlux Technology raised £9m in a Series A round led by BGF, alongside Octopus Ventures, Northern Gritstone and Foresight

BGF

Medium Deal of the Year (£10m-£50m)

Digital prescribing and pharmacy platform, CloudRx, sale to Vulcan Two for £36m

Claritas, HaysMac, Parisi Tax, Pinsent Masons, Sentio Partners, Stephenson Harwood

Vespa Capital investment in re-clinical contract research organisation, FibroFind

BDO, Candesic, DLA Piper, Grant Thornton, Mills & Reeve

Brigantia Partners, a cybersecurity solutions and channel distribution business, sold to Elovade Beteiligings GmbH

BDO, KPMG, Squire Patton Boggs, Wilkie Farr & Gallagher

Sale of Brisant Secure, a designer of residential security hardware, by BGF to Allegion

BDO, Browne Jacobson, Cooper Parry, EY, Fieldfisher, KPMG, PMSI

Beech Tree Private Equity acquired Inspiro Learning, a Doncaster-based training provider

Alvarez & Marsal, Beech Tree PE, CIL, Clearwater, DLA Piper, Gallagher, Lewis Silkin, Mayer Brown, RSM, Shoosmiths

AppsAnywhere was sold to Cordance Software (North Carolina) for £17m

BHP, Clarion, Exbo Group, Goodwin Procter, Grant Thornton, Translink CF

LDC investment in ARC Building Solutions, a provider of passive fire protection and thermal insulation products

CMS, Collinson Grant, Dow Schofield Watts, Pinsent Masons, PMSI, RSM, Shoosmiths, Virgin Money, Walker Morris

WINNER: Enact (Endless) sold Greenray Turbine Solutions to Flowserve Corporation

Gallagher, Gordons, KPMG, Piper Sandler, Sidley Austin

Large Deal of the Year (£50m+)

Sale of majority holding in Symphony Group to W&R Barnett

Davidson McDonnell, EY, KPMG, Lewis Silkin, Macfarlanes, McKinsey, PwC, Sentio Partners, Walker Morris

Star Brands Group sold to NYSE-listed RPM International for £345m

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, Freeths, Travers Smith

Great Rail Journeys, the York-based provider of luxury train holidays, was sold to Vitruvian Partners

Clearwater, DLA Piper, FTI, Harris Williams, Liberty, Mayer Brown, PwC

Realise Training Group sold by Enact (Endless) to AQA, the UK's leading exam board

CIL, Deloitte, Grant Thornton, KPMG, Myerson Solicitors, RSM, Sentio Partners, Tax Advisory Partnership, Womble Bond Dickinson

EMIS Group was sold by UnitedHealth Group to TPG

EY, Bank of America

WINNER: Macquarie Group invested in UniHomes, with LDC reinvesting a minority stake

Alvarez & Marsal, DC Advisory, EY, KPMG, LDC, OC&C, Squire Patton Boggs, Travers Smith, Womble Bond Dickinson

Airedale Group acquired by Brenntag, the global market leader in chemicals distribution

Addleshaw Goddard, Clearwater, CMS, KPMG, PwC, Roland Berger

Polypipe (Genuit Group) acquired Davidson Holdings

BDO, Squire Patton Boggs, Shoosmiths

Individual

Rising Star

Ed Crocker - KPMG
Brooke Fenton - Sentio Partners
WINNER: Rachel Holloway - Endless
Abigal McGarry - Weightmans
Dan O'Connell - Gallagher
Richard Ralph - Foresight
Declan Savage - Translink CF
Olivia Wakefield - BDO

Changemaker

Bridie Clews - EY
Ben Coggin - BDO
Hannah Crosland - Squire Patton Boggs
WINNER: Jayne Dunford - LDC
Cordelia Stephens - Gateley
Jeremy Thomas - Clearwater
Olivia Wakefield - BDO

Rainmaker

Clare Boardman - Teneo
Chris Cormack - Endless
Paul Denvers - Endless
Oliver Hoffman - Forvis Mazars
Paul Mann - Squire Patton Boggs
Duncan Morpeth - Alvarez & Marsal
Mae Salem - Squire Patton Boggs
WINNER: Jonny Sharp - Cerelo

Lifetime Achievement

WINNER: Jonathan Jones - Squire Patton Boggs

Teams

Regional Legal Team

Brabners
Browne Jacobson
CG Professional
Winner: Hill Dickinson
Leonard Curtis Legal
Mills & Reeve
Napthens
Pannone Corporate

National Legal Team

Winner: Addleshaw Goddard
DLA Piper UK
DWF
Eversheds Sutherland
Gateley Legal
Pinsent Masons
Squire Patton Boggs
TLT

Regional CF Team

Carbon
Cortus Advisory Group
Winner: Cowgills
Dow Schofield Watts
Knight Corporate Finance
MHA
Rickitt Mitchell

National CF Team

Alvarez & Marsal
BDO
Winner: Clearwater
DC Advisory
EY
Grant Thornton
Houlihan Lokey
KPMG
Rothschild & Co

VC/PE Team

BGF
Endless
Foresight
LDC
Maven
NorthEdge Capital
Winner: Palatine
Praetura Ventures
River Capital
YFM Equity Partners

Debt Funder Team

HSBC
Lloyds
OakNorth
Santander UK
Shawbrook Bank
Winner: TDC
Thincats
Virgin Money

Asset Based Lending Team

Arbuthnot Commercial Asset-Based Lending
Close Brothers Invoice Finance
Cynergy Business Finance
IGF
Secure Trust
Winner: Shawbrook
Virgin Money

Transaction Services

BDO
Claritas Tax
Winner: Cortus Advisory Group
Cowgills
EY
PwC
RSM Corporate Finance
Saffery

Insurance Team

Aon
Gallagher
Howden
Marsh
Winner: Wiispa

Turnaround Team

Alvarez & Marsal
Begbies Traynor
EY
Winner: FRP
Interpath
Leonard Curtis
Teneo

Early-stage Investment Team

Deepbridge
Dow Schofield Watts Ventures
Maven
Mercia
Northern Gritstone
Winner: Praetura Ventures
River Capital

Liverpool City Region Team

Bermans
Brabners
Winner: Hill Dickinson
LYVA Labs
Napthens
River Capital

Cheshire Team

Aaron & Partners
DTM Legal
JS. Accountants & Business Advisors
Winner: Myerson
SJC

Lancashire Team

Ashworth Treasure
MHA
Winner: Napthens
Pierce
PM+M
Rosebud

Deals

Small Deal of the Year (up to £10m)

Eleven Sports Media, investment by BGF

DLA Piper, Hurst, Squire Patton Boggs, RSM, BGF

Launch of SKOF

Knights, DLA Piper

Investment into Street Group

Praetura, Gateley, Squire Patton Boggs

Armstrong bought by Foresight

Addleshaw Goddard, Cowgills, Foresight

Winner: The Networking People Ltd investment by YFM Equity Partners

Knight Corporate Finance, Hill Dickinson, Cowgills, Cyber DueDil, Megabuyte, Confidas, Lockton, MHA, Claritas Tax

Exciting Instruments investment by Northern Gritstone

Mills & Reeve, Taylor Wessing, Northern Gritstone

Medium Deal of the Year (£10m-£50m)

Classic Football Shirts investment

DWF, Carbon

APEM acquires Biosis

Dow Schofield Watts, WestBridge Capital

Beyond Corporate investment by Waterland

Pinsent Masons, Squire Patton Boggs, Beyond Corporate

Winner: Blueprintx investment by Palatine

Browne Jacobson, Gateley, Clearwater, RSM, Armstrong, Lockton, Cyberfort, StrattonHR, GHF Advisory, Hurst, Palatine

Latus Group buyout

Addleshaw Goddard, BDO

Aliter Capital LLP’s buyout of BBS Law

Browne Jacobson, BDO, FRP, Addleshaw Goddard

Zelus sale to Sullivan Street

Rickitt Mitchell, Addleshaw Goddard, Sullivan Street Partners, Deloitte, DLA Piper, Blazehill

Digital Rewards Group’s investment from Maven Capital Partners

DC Advisory, Grant Thornton, Gateley, Hill Dickinson, Maven

Large Deal of the Year (£50m+)

Sale of Ultimate Performance to Inflexion

CMS, Addleshaw Goddard, PwC, Inflexion, Pinsent Masons

Sale of NRG and DTM by Palatine

Palatine, Clearwater, Gateley, PwC, Deloitte

Sale of MirrorWeb to Mainsail

DC Advisory, Squire Patton Boggs, BDO, Mainsail Capital, Charles Russell Speechlys, Pinsent Masons, Addleshaw Goddard

Sale of Edge Worldwide Logistics to DP World

DC Advisory, DLA Piper

Winner: Applied Nutrition IPO

Addleshaw Goddard, Pinsent Masons, Deutsche Numis, BDO

CMap sale by NorthEdge to ECI

NorthEdge, Houlihan Lokey, DWF, PwC, Crosslake, Liberty, Squire Patton Boggs

Primary sale of Metamark to UPM

Rothschild & Co, DLA Piper, Primary Capital Partners, PwC, MCF Corporate Finance, Burges Salmon, EY, Anthesis, Aon

Sale of DR&P to BMS

DWF, Skadden Arps, PwC, Hines Associates, Deloitte

Individual

Rising Star

Josh Bean, BGF
Ffion Brumwell-Hughes, Gateley Legal
Louise Chapman, Praetura
Thomas Dutton, WestBridge
Daniel Gallagher, Cortus Advisory Group
Simon Keppie, Grant Thornton
Brett Marsden, Cowgills
Winner: Laura Wiggins, YFM Equity Partners

Changemaker

Tom Astbury, Fletchers Solicitors
Fiona Hatch, Foresight
Winner: Greg Holmes, Palatine
Jenny Kirkham, Cortus Advisory Group
Michelle Mullany, MHA
Rebecca Rennison, EY
Louise Stephenson, DRAX Executive
Lizzy Tindall, Eversheds Sutherland

Rainmaker

Claire Alvarez, Foresight
Hayley Brightmore-Cox, Saffery
Giles Chesher, Squire Patton Boggs
Richard Darlington, DC Advisory
Sam Davies, Cowgills
Roger Hart, Addleshaw Goddard
Winner: Michael Loudon, Clearwater
Pete Terry, Grant Thornton

Teams

Regional Legal Team

Brabners
Winner: Clarion
Gordons
Hill Dickinson
Schofield Sweneey
Walker Morris
Ward Hadaway

National Legal Team

Addleshaw Goddard
Eversheds Sutherland
Freeths
Pinsent Masons
Shoosmiths
Winner: Squire Patton Boggs
Womble Bond Dickinson

Regional CF Team

Castle Square Corporate Finance
Cerelo Advisory
Dow Schofield Watts
Winner: Park Place Corporate Finance
Sentio
Translink Corporate Finance

National CF Team

Azets
Winner: Clearwater
Forvis Mazars
Grant Thornton
KPMG
Rothschild
RSM

VC/PE Team

BGF
Winner: Endless
Foresight
LDC
Nimbus
YFM Equity Partners

Debt Funder Team

Winner: HSBC
Lloyds
OakNorth
Santander
ThinCats
Virgin Money

Asset Based Lending Team

Arbuthnot Commercial Asset-Based Lending
Close Brothers
Hilco Valuation
Independent Growth Finance
Winner: Reward Funding
Secure Trust Bank
Shawbrook
Ultimate Finance
XL Business Finance

Transaction Services

Cortus Advisory
Winner: Dow Schofield Watts
EY
Grant Thornton
KPMG
PwC
RSM
Translink Corporate Finance

Insurance Team

Aon
Winner: Gallagher
Howden Group
Markel
Marsh
Partners&
PIB Insurance Brokers
Tysers

Turnaround Team

Alvarez & Marsel
Begbies Traynor
Cortus Advisory
EY
FRP
Winner: Interpath
PwC
Teneo

Early-stage Investment Team

Finance Yorkshire
Lifted Ventures
Maven Capital Partners
Mercia
Northern Gritstone
Par Equity
Praetura
Winner: YFM Equity Partners

North Yorkshire Team

Crombie Wilkinson
Hunter Gee Holroyd
Lithgow Perkins
Parsons
Winner: Raworths
Ware & Kay

East Yorkshire Team

Winner: Andrew Jackson
Dutton Moore
Gosschalks Solicitors
Wilkin Chapman Rollits
Smailes Goldie
TC Group

South Yorkshire Team

Winner: Castle Square Corporate Finance
gbac
Hart Shaw
Hawsons
Hentons
Shorts
Virgin Money
Wake Smith

Deals

Small Deal of the Year (up to £10m)

Winner: Boxphish secured £3.25m from BGF

Squire Patton Boggs, BGF, The Tax Advisory Partnership, Walker Morris, KPMG

My Pension Expert acquired Tenet&You from Tenet

Addleshaw Goddard, Park Place, Palatine, Cortus Advisory, Thistle Advisory

Newsome bought equipment manufacturer Penmann

Shoosmiths, Schofield Sweeney, Castle Square Corporate Finance, Brown Butler

MBAA acquired Riva Foods and Mother Riley's Bakery

Thincats, Park Place, RSM, Irwin Mitchell, Cortus Advisory

BGF's £5.5m investment in TaperedPlus

Comhar, Dow Schofield Watts, Freeths, Deloitte, BGF, Squire Patton Boggs, BDO

Pressure Technologies sold its Precision Machined Components division to Indian group Raghu Vamsi Machine Tool

Dow Schofield Watts, Addleshaw Goddard, BDO, Shoosmiths

Whitakers Chocolates was bought by LDC-backed Bramble Foods

Gordons, Fivefold Associates, Armstrong Watson, Gateley Legal, Virgin Money, LDC

Disposal of Bartoline by Paramount Retail Group to Tetrosyl

Hill Dickinson, CG Professional, Forvis Mazars

Medium Deal of the Year (£10m-£50m)

NVM invested into Helix Tools owner MRO+ Solutions

Womble Bond Dickinson, NVM Private Equity, Browne Jacobson, Cairngorm Capital

BGF backed Hull-based Tevalis

Addleshaw Goddard, PwC, Squire Patton Boggs, BGF, BDO

Latus Health Group secured investment from NorthEdge Capital

Shoosmiths, Addleshaw Goddard, NorthEdge Capital, Pinsent Masons, Santander, Houlihan Lokey, BHP, BDO, PSMI

Winner: NorthEdge completed the sale of Cutwel to Inflexion

NorthEdge Capital, Inflexion, Womble Bond Dickinson, Sentio, Addleshaw Goddard, PwC, Virgin Money, Squire Patton Boggs

Nimbus acquired manufacturer National Floorcoverings Group

Shoosmiths, Travers Smith, Geldards, Gateley, Together Commercial Finance, Nimbus, TLT, Arbuthnot Commercial Asset-Based Lending, Squire Patton Boggs

Online florist Prestige Flowers merged with Flowerline

Squire Patton Boggs, Park Place, ThinCats, Clarion, Blacks Solicitors, Cortus Advisory

Three Hills invested in Operam Education Group, with BGF exiting

HSBC, Dow Schofield Watts, Squire Patton Boggs, Grant Thornton, Tax Advisory Partnership, BGF, KPMG, Addleshaw Goddard, Three Hills, DLA Piper, RSM, Clearwater, Pinsent Masons

Large Deal of the Year (£50m+)

Triple Private Equity took a majority stake in software provder SmartSearch

Squire Patton Boggs, Rothschild & Co, KPMG; Skadden, Arps, Slate; Meagher & Flom, Deloitte

Investment into Elland-based A-Safe by IK Partners

Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK), IK Partners, HSBC, KPMG, Freeths

Apollo Global Management acquired Evri, providing an exit for Advent International

HSBC, Rothschild & Co, EY, PwC

US-based Automated Industrial Robotics bought Sewtec Automation from Endless

Endless, Rothschild & Co, Squire Patton Boggs, KPMG, EY

MBO of Huddersfield-based e-commerce retailer Interior Goods Direct and Green & Brown

Sentio, EY, Forvis Mazars, Addleshaw Goddard, Walker Morris, Santander

Goldman Sachs Alternatives acquired Adler & Allan, providing an exit for Sun Capital

Park Place; Weil, Gotshal and Manges; Houlihan Lokey, Sun Capital, KPMG, Goldman Sachs, HSBC

BJSS was bought by CGI Group Holdings Europe

Addleshaw Goddard, KPMG

Sale of Doncaster-based Senior Architectural Systems to ASSA ABLOY

Clearwater, Shakespeare Martineau, KPMG, Eversheds
Sutherland, Grant Thornton

Winner: Exponent Private Equity invested into Hippo Digital, with Growth Capital Partners exiting

Park Place, KPMG, Squire Patton Boggs, Exponent, Grant Thornton

Individual

Rising Star

Sophie Andran, KPMG
Josh Astill-Headley, Squire Patton Boggs
Winner: James Atkinson, RSM
James Baker, BGF
Rob Cunningham, Pinsent Masons
Tom Hopwood, Addleshaw Goddard
Andy Hyde, HSBC
Tom Kaye, Clearwater
Megan Thurman, Pinsent Masons

Changemaker

Jessica Armstrong, Lloyds Bank
Anna Ashford, ALT Legal
Ben Coggin, EY
Winner: Alexandra Fogal, EY
Hannah Kendrick, Squire Patton Boggs
Rebecca Rennison, EY
Jeremy Thomas, Clearwater

Rainmaker

Andy Barlow, Sentio
Richard Goldsack, Clearwater
Carly Gulliver, Addleshaw Goddard
Barry Jackson, BGF
Winner: Paul Mann, Squire Patton Boggs
Ben Peacock, Park Place
Andrew Ross, Endless
Giles Taylor, KPMG

Teams

Regional Legal Team

Ansons Solicitors
George Green
HCR Law
Winner: Higgs
Legal Clarity
Lodders
mfg Solicitors
The Wilkes Partnership

National Legal Team

Browne Jacobson
Eversheds Sutherland
Fieldfisher
Winner: Freeths
Gateley Legal
Shoosmiths
Squire Patton Boggs

Regional CF Team

Cattaneo
Winner: Clairfield
Debrett's
Evolve Corporate Finance
Provantage
Springboard Corporate Finance

National CF Team

BDO
Winner: Clearwater
EY
Grant Thornton
KPMG
RSM

VC/PE Team

Beech Tree PE
BGF
Winner: LDC
NorthEdge
Palatine
YFM Equity Partners

Debt Funder Team

Barclays
Beechbrook
Winner: HSBC
OakNorth
Santander
Shawbrook
Virgin Money

Asset Based Lending Team

Arbuthnot Commercial Asset-Based Lending
Winner: Close Brothers
HSBC
Leumi
Secure Trust Bank
Shawbrook

Transaction Services

BDO
Winner: Claritas Tax
Cortus Advisory
EY
KPMG
PwC
RSM

Insurance Team

AON
Gallagher
Howden
Lockton
Marsh
Winner: Partners&
RSA
Wesleyan

Turnaround Team

Alvarez & Marsal
Begbies Traynor
FRP Advisory
Winner: Interpath
Quantuma Advisory
RSM
Teneo

Early-stage Investment Team

BGF
Foresight
Maven Capital Partners
Winner: Mercia Asset Management
Midven
YFM Equity Partners

Deals

Small Deal of the Year (up to £10m)

YFM Equity Partners invested to support the MBO of Replay Maintenance

Browne Jacobson, Actons Solicitors, PSMI, Triple Point Advance Leasing, Claritas Tax, Cooper Parry, Heligan Group, Freeths, Bishopsgate Corporate Finance

Winner: BGF's investment in Skewb

Clearwater, Freeths, Fairgrove, Browne Jacobson, Claritas Tax

Beech Tree PE-backed Obsequio Group acquired Metro Safety

Browne Jacobson, Higgs, RSM, Kartesia, Beech Tree PE

Sale of Pet Treat Wholesale to Scandinavian pet treat consolidator The Nutriment Company

Evolve Corporate Finance, Freeths, Claritas Tax

Deltron Lifts acquisition of Elevate UK Lifts

The Wilkes Partnership, Higgs, Jerroms Corporate Finance

Debrett’s PE acquisition and investment into Ortecha

Browne Jacobson, Knights, Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, Headpoint Advisors, Debrett's Private Finance

LDC-backed Bramble Food’s acquisition of Whitakers Chocolates

Gateley, Cooper Parry

Knighthead Capital acquired a stake in Netball Super League team Birmingham Panthers

Higgs, Squire Patton Boggs , Knighthead Capital

Medium Deal of the Year (£10m-£50m)

Sale of Phoenix Health and Safety to Wilmington

Grant Thornton, Higgs, PMSI, Strategy, Crowe, CIL, Marsh, Osborne Clarke

Winner: NorthEdge invests in Telford-headquartered EdTech software provider, PebblePad

PwC, Strategy&, Cortus Advisory, Squire Patton Boggs, Fellwood, Deloitte, Claritas Tax, Lockton, Outside In, ReThought Solutions, Swan Partners, Catalysis Advisory, Bishopsgate, Gateley Legal, Crosslake

OpenSignal's acquisition of Stickee Technology

Freeths, KPMG, Ropes & Gray, Headpoint Advisors, Santander, Browne Jacobson, Claritas Tax, Deloitte

Management led buy-out of Arden Fine Foods

Springboard Corporate Finance, Higgs, Hill Dickinson, Claritas Tax, Barclays

LDC’s investment in Deltron Group

Gateley Legal, BDO, PMSI, Clearwater, Higgs, LDC, Claritas Tax

Danx Carousel acquired Logik Logistics from exiting investors Debrett’s and FDC

Debrett's, Browne Jacobson, Jerroms, KPMG, Mills & Reeve, MDP, Gateley Legal, FDC

Fullers acquired Lovely Pubs Group, a collection of 7 pubs in Warwickshire

Higgs, Wedlake Bell, Barclays, HSBC, Rabobank, Virgin, Mediobanca

The sale of Argus Fire from the shareholders of Slademain to Mitie Group

Gateley Legal, Headpoint Advisors, Mayer Brown

Jacopa's sale to Rubicon Partners

Clearwater, Gateley Legal, OC&C, KPMG, PwC, Aon, Proskauer Rose, Waterman Group, Crosslake, Shawbrook

Large Deal of the Year (£50m+)

Winner: The sale of Boss Design to Japanese listed conglomerate, Okamura Corporation

EY, Higgs, PwC, ERM

Oakley Capital backed Steer Automotive Group acquired Gemini Accident Repair Centres

RSM, HCR Law, Cooper Parry, Eversheds Sutherland

IK Partners investment in HSL Compliance Group alongside the management team and existing investor LDC

Clearwater, DLA Piper, KPMG, OC&C, HCR Law, Panamoure Liberty, DC Advisory, Fried Frank, Alvarez & Marsal, BCG

The sale of MSS Group to Swedish multinational Atlas Copco

Squire Patton Boggs, Heligan Group, BDO, Greenberg Traurig

BAE Systems acquisition of Kirintec

Clearwater, Evershed Sutherland, EY, LEK, Gleacher Shacklock, Mills & Reeves, KPMG

CBPE Capital's acquisition of HealthNet Homecare

Eversheds Sutherland, Pinsent Masons, Hill Dickinson, Addleshaw Goddard, KPMG, PwC, Barclays, HSBC

LDC initial exit of Independent Governance Group to ECI Partners and its £15m reinvestment

KPMG, PwC, Gateley Legal, Eversheds Sutherland, Liberty, Squire Patton Boggs, Alvarez & Marsal, Clearwater

International food and beverage company Paulig acquires Panesar Foods

Freeths, Walker Morris, KPMG, RMY Clements, Oghma Partners

Individual

Rising Star

Winner: David Bellis, BGF
Josh Gorman, Clearwater
Rosie Hendon, Shoosmiths
Olivia Johnson, Freeths
Karen Mann, LDC
Will Mason, Debrett's
Hayley Simonds, Mills & Reeve
Rob Worsfold, Eversheds Sutherland

Changemaker

Kelly Henney, PNC
Scott Peters, Quantuma Advisory
Tom Rush, Fieldfisher
Rena Sandhu, AON
Kim Strachan, Gateley
Winner: Richard Swann, Inflexion
Sarah Taylor, Clearwater
Sophie Wardell, Higgs

Rainmaker

Rob Burden, Clearwater
Lee Clifford, Freeths
Joe Dyke, Clearwater
Gary Ecob, Clairfield
Richard Griffiths, Higgs
Winner: Chris Handy, LDC
Jeremy Harrison, EY
Beth Mather, Gateley Legal
Andy Oates, HSBC

Teams

Regional Legal Team

Actons
WINNER: Austin Moore & Partners
Buckles
Flint Bishop
Howes Percival
Nelsons

National Legal Team

WINNER: Browne Jacobson
Eversheds Sutherland
Freeths
Gateley
Shakespeare Martineau
Shoosmiths

Regional Corporate Finance Advisory

WINNER: Bishopsgate
Breeze CF
Dains
DSW
PKF Smith Cooper
Provantage

National Corporate Finance Advisory

Alvarez & Marsal
BDO
WINNER: Clearwater
Grant Thornton
KPMG
PwC
RSM

VC/PE Team

BGF
Foresight
WINNER: LDC
Palatine
Maven
Mercia
YFM

Debt Funder Team

Beechbrook
WINNER: HSBC
Maven
OakNorth Bank
Shawbrook
Thincats
Virgin Money

Asset Based Lending Team

WINNER: Allica Bank
Bibby
Close Brothers
HSBC
IGF
Leumi
RBS/Natwest
Shawbrook

Transaction Services

BDO
Claritas Tax
Cooper Parry
WINNER: Cortus Advisory
Dains
Grant Thornton
PKF Smith Cooper
PwC
RSM

Insurance Team

Aon
Howden
WINNER: Lockton
Marsh
Wiispa

Turnaround Team

Alvarez & Marsal
BDO
Begbies Traynor
FRP Corporate Finance
WINNER: Interpath
PKF Smith Cooper
PwC
RSM

Early-stage Investment Team

WINNER: Foresight
Haatch
Maven
Mercia
Octopus

Deals

Small Deal of the Year (up to £10m)

WINNER: LDC supported doorset manufacturer IDSL on its acquisition of passive fire products business Hartland Fire

Browne Jacobson, Cortus Advisory, Claritas Tax

Waste management provider Willshees Waste & Recycling acquired Stanton Recycling

Claritas Tax, Marktlink, Shoosmiths, Gateley

YFM-backed management buyout of sports surface maintenance provider Replay Maintenance

Actons, Bishopsgate, Browne Jacobson, Claritas Tax, Cooper Parry, Confidas, Freeths, Grant Thornton, Heligan Corporate Finance, Triple Point Advance Leasing, Partners&, PMSI, Somerbys

Private equity firm Palatine Private Equity acquired majority stake in AI solutions provider Atombit

Clearwater, Gateley, Palatine Private Equity, RSM, Lockton

LDC-backed Bramble Foods Group acquired chocolates manufacturer Whitakers Chocolates

Armstrong Watson, Cooper Parry, FiveFold Associates, Freeths, Gateley, Gordons, Virgin Money

MBO of Churchill Specialist Contracting

AG Corporate Law, Durbin Consulting, Ellis-Fermor & Negus, Freeths, PKF Smith Cooper, Profusion Wealth Management, Virgin Money

Medium Deal of the Year (£10m-£50m)

Scheduling infrastructure provider Cronofy secured £15m investment from BGF

Alvarez & Marsal, Browne Jacobson, Cooper Parry, RP Advisory, RSM, Scalewise, Shakespeare Martineau

LDC made a significant investment in battery power specialist Power Saving Solutions

BDO, Better Faster Growth, BFY Group, CIL, FRP Corporate Finance, Gateley, Grant Thornton, Jamieson Alexander, KPMG

Italian packaging company Carton Pack acquired Clifton Packaging Group and subsidiaries

Charles Russell Speechlys, Chiomenti, Freeths, Gunnercooke, KPMG, Torr Waterfield, Watergates, BDO

WINNER: Caffè Nero acquired coffee roaster 200 Degrees

Alix Partners, Browne Jacobson, KPMG

August Equity invested in B-Corp certified wealth management firm Superbia Group

BDO, Cortus Advisory, DLA Piper, DSW, Eight advisory, FRP Corporate Finance, Hill Dickinson, Macfarlanes, PwC Strategy&, Syon Tax, TCC, Lockton

Swedish industrial group Indutrade acquired family-owned rail hydraulics specialist Tidyco

CMS, Dains, Flint Bishop

Large Deal of the Year (£50m+)

LDC successfully exited supply teacher provider The Edwin Group to US investor Quad Partners

BDO, Browne Jacobson, Deloitte, EY Parthenon, Grant Thornton, Grange Equity Advisors

Intelligence software provider Altia Intel sold to Bowmark Capital

Browne Jacobson, OC&C, PwC, KPMG, BDO

WINNER: Cooper Parry's secondary buyout with US investor Lee Equity Partners

Addleshaw Goddard, Arcmont, Deloitte, Herbert Smith Freehills, Houlihan Lokey, HSBC, KPMG, Liberty Corporate Finance, Oliver Wyman, Proskauer Rose, PwC

IT solutions specialist CCS Media sold to Advania, one of Northern Europe's largest IT services providers

Bain & Co, BDO, Browne Jacobson, Clearwater, Deloitte, White & Case

LDC exited energy software provider ENSEK to Centrica

KPMG, Eversheds, LDC

LDC successfully exited advertising solutions provider Blis to T-Mobile, valued at $175m (£136m), delivering 75% turnover growth over 3 years

Allen & Company, Clearly Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, DLA Piper, Houlihan Lokey, Maven

Individual

Rising Star

Tom Boss - Breeze CF
Rosie Butler - Gateley
Philip Dean - Cortus Advisory
Tom Herbert - KPMG
Leanne Hopper - PwC
Adam Huckerby - BGF
Fahim Kassam - DSW
WINNER: Sam Reynolds - Bishopsgate
Andy Shepherd - Provantage

Changemaker

Katie Cash - Cooper Parry
Tom Johnson - Grant Thornton
WINNER: Ses Memhi - Claritas Tax
Sally Saunders - Provantage
Hannah Tessyman - Freeths

Rainmaker

WINNER: Morgan Atherton - Bishopsgate
David Bains - LDC
Paul Bevan - Breeze
David Crump - PKF Smith Cooper
Roy Farmer - Dains
Ania Gabrielczyk - Freeths
Sally Saunders - Provantage
Seb Saywood - BGF
Harry Walker - DSW

Teams

Regional Legal Team

WINNER: Foot Anstey
BPE Solicitors
Michelmores
Porter Dodson
Roxburgh Milkins
RWK Goodman
Stephens Scown
VWV

National Legal Team

WINNER: Osborne Clarke
Ashfords
Birketts
Burges Salmon
Freeths
HCR
TLT
Womble Bond Dickinson

Regional Corporate Finance Advisory

WINNER: Momentum Corporate Finance
Albert Goodman
Bishop Fleming
Hazlewoods
Isca Ventures
PKF Francis Clark
Shaw & Co
Unify

National Corporate Finance Advisory

WINNER: Grant Thornton
BDO
EY
Forvis Mazars
FRP Corporate Finance
KPMG
PwC
RSM

VC/PE Team

WINNER: BGF
Foresight
LDC
Maven
Mercia

Debt Funder Team

WINNER: HSBC
Barclays
FW Capital
Lloyds
NatWest
Santander
Shawbrook
Thincats

Asset-Based Lending Team

WINNER: Shawbrook
Close Brothers
Future Leap
HSBC
Lloyds
Lombard

Transaction Services Team

WINNER: PwC
BDO
EY
Grant Thornton
Hazlewoods
KPMG
PKF Francis Clark
RSM

Insurance Team

WINNER: Howden
Aon
Castlemead
Gallaghers
HWF Partners
Lockton
Marsh
Partners&

Turnaround Team

WINNER: FRP Corporate Finance
BDO
Forvis Mazars
Grant Thornton
Interpath
PKF Francis Clark
PwC
Teneo

Early Stage Investment Team

WINNER: Foresight
BGF
FSE Group
Maven
Mercia
QantX
Science Creates
SWIG Finance

Deals

Small Deal of the Year (up to £10m)

WINNER: Natural food ingredients manufacturer Plant-Ex Ingredients secured a £9m investment from BGF

Ashfords, BGF, Claritas Tax, Oghma Partners, Osborne Clarke

Green energy yachts manufacturer Drift Energy secured £5m from Octopus Ventures and Blue Action Accelerator

Blue Action Accelerator, Octopus Ventures

IT infrastructure solutions provider Kubus Group raised £9m in funding led by BGF

BGF, Michelmores, PKF Francis Clark

Private equity firm August Equity, in partnership with management, acquired logistics software provider Fargo Systems

EY, Eight Advisory, Isca Ventures, Michelmores, PwC, Travers Smith

Sensor technology company Zero Point Motion closed a £4m pre-Series A funding round led by SCVC, Foresight Group and Verve Ventures

Foresight Group, Science Creates Ventures, Verve Ventures

Vehicle testing equipment manufacturer AB Dynamics acquired automotive testing equipment supplier Bolab Systems GmbH for €11m

Momentum Corporate Finance

Senseca Germany acquired weather and environmental monitoring instruments manufacturer Biral Holdings

Burges Salmon, KPMG

Medium Deal of the Year (£10m-£50m)

WINNER: LendingMetrics, the credit risk technology group, secured a significant investment from LDC

Alvarez & Marsal, Aon, Armstrong, BDO, Coppett Hill, FRP Corporate Finance, RWK Goodman, Sequence Advisers, Womble Bond Dickinson

Piper PE and Japan's sovereign wealth fund, CJF, invested £20m supporting an MBO at Inside Travel Group (ITG), with Blandford Capital exiting

Addleshaw Goddard, Cavendish Corporate Finance, Clearwater, Herbert Smith Freehills, HSBC, KPMG, Liberty Corporate Finance, Shoosmiths, Stephenson Harwood, TLT, Womble Bond Dickinson

Software and data engineering business Gemba was acquired by Sovereign Capital Partners-backed Actica

BPE Solicitors, Crowe, EY, HCR, Momentum Corporate Finance, Randall & Payne, Sovereign Capital Partners

Clifton Wealth Partnership made a series of seven strategic acquisitions as part of its buy-and-build strategy in the wealth management sector, after being backed by CBPE Capital and Tresmares Capital

BDO, CBPE Capital, Dyer Baade & Co, Foot Anstey, Jegi Clarity, Mayer Brown, Osborne Clarke, RSM, Simmons & Simmons, Thistledown Investment Management, Tresmares Capital

Acquisition of Chipside by Synova-backed Unity5

EY, Momentum Corporate Finance, Osborne Clarke, Pearson May, PwC, Thrings

Re-flow secured investment into the business by Kester Capital

EY, Grant Thornton, KPMG, Roxburgh Milkins, RSM, Simmons & Simmons

Hercules acquired electrical transmission lines construction provider Advantage NRG

Cavendish, Hazlewoods, Hill Dickinson, RWK Goodman, Shoosmiths, SP Angel Corporate Finance, Thrings

The sale of Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine to FutureLife Group, backed by CVC Capital Partners and Hartenberg

Gardner Leader, Grant Thornton, Forvis Mazars, Pinsent Masons

Large Deal of the Year (£50m+)

WINNER: Loungers was taken private by Fortress Investment Group at a valuation of £354m

Alvarez & Marsal, Ashurst, Fortress Investment Group, GLAS, Hogan Lovells, Houlihan Lokey, HSBC, Jones Day, Slaughter and May

The £5.4bn takeover of Hargreaves Lansdown by a consortium of private equity investors led Nordic Capital, CVC Capital Partners and Platinum Ivy

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Ashurst, Barclays, CVC Capital Partners, Deutsche Numis, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, Lloyds, Mizuho Bank, Morgan Stanley, MUFG Union Bank, Nordic Capital Svenska

Acquisition of Ruda Park from Parkdean Resorts

Addleshaw Goddard, Foot Anstey, FRP Corporate Finance, HSBC, Westcotts, Womble Bond Dickinson

Water and wastewater company Pennon Group raised £490m in a rights issue

Barclays, Morgan Stanley

Acquisition of Brean Leisure Park by Foundation Partners

Deloitte, Foundation Partners, Gibson Dunn, PwC, PKF Francis Clarke

Queen’s Park Equity (QPE) invested in Psych-UK, the UK’s leading provider of digital psychiatry services

BMS, Burges Salmon, Candesic, CMS, Crosslake, Grant Thornton

Food wholesaler Kitwave Group agreed to acquire caterer supplier Creed Catering Supplies for £70m

BPE, Muckle

Management buyout of AIS (formerly Advanced Insulation Systems) with the exit of Growth Capital Partners

Dickson Minto, Grant Thornton, HCR Legal, HSBC, Osborne Clarke, RSM, Sewell Mullings Logie, Zeus Capital

Out of Region Deal of the Year

WINNER: Sale of ZipWorld to Dolphin Capital, with LDC exiting

BDO, Blake Morgan, Fladgate, GT, Katz Advisors, KPMG, Sedulo

Grant Thornton advised Coffi Lab on securing a hybrid debt and equity investment from the Development Bank of Wales

Acuity Law, Grant Thornton, Hugh James, SME Finance Partners

Assured Data Protection (ADP) secured investment from Oakley Capital, a prominent managed backup and recovery services provider

EY, Hogan Lovells, KPMG, Momentum Corporate Finance, Oakley Capital, Simpson Thacher, Stax

Amcomri Group PLC acquired EMC Elite Engineering in the Group’s first acquisition since becoming a listed company in December 2024

HCR, Palmers Law

Wealth management group Craven Street Wealth was sold to Quanta Group, a portfolio company of PE fund AnaCap Financial Partners

Ashfords, Foot Anstey, Proskauer Rose, Shoosmiths, Continuum Advisory Partners

Individual

Rising Star

WINNER: Richard Double - Momentum Corporate Finance
Daniel Bagnall - KPMG
Nathan Holland - PKF Francis Clark
Louisa Leach - HCR Legal
Hannah Nonas - EY
Joanna Norris - Womble Bond Dickinson
Jordan Thomas - Foot Anstey

Changemaker

WINNER: Carmen Peacock - Lloyds
Tom Ayerst - PwC
Will Bellamy - KPMG
Melanie Goward - Maven
Laura Guest - Ashfords
Nick Jones - Grant Thornton
Ali Kazmi - Ethical Equity
Andy Killick - PKF Francis Clark

Rainmaker

WINNER: Alastair Boorman - Momentum Corporate Finance
Matt Eves - EY
Dewi Hughes - LDC
Lottie Hugo - Freeths
Nick Jones - Grant Thornton
Carmen Peacock - Lloyds

Teams

Regional Legal Team

Clarion
Freeths
Gordons
Schofield Sweeney
Walker Morris
Ward Hadaway

National Legal Team

Addleshaw Goddard
DLA Piper
Eversheds Sutherland
Pinsent Masons
Shoosmiths
Squire Patton Boggs
Womble Bond Dickinson

Regional Corporate Finance Advisory Team

Azets
Castle Square
Dow Schofield Watts
Park Place Corporate Finance
Sentio Partners
Translink Corporate Finance

National Corporate Finance Advisory Team

Clearwater
EY
Grant Thornton
KPMG
PwC
Rothschild & Co

VC/Private Equity Team

BGF
Endless
Foresight Group
LDC
YFM Equity Partners

Debt Funder Team

HSBC
Santander
Shawbrook
TDC
ThinCats
Virgin Money

Asset-based Lending Team

Arbuthnot
BZ
Close Brothers
Shawbrook

Due Diligence Team

Cortus Advisory
Dow Schofield Watts
Grant Thornton
KPMG
PwC
RSM

Tax Advisory

Deloitte
EY
Grant Thornton
KPMG
RSM
Tax Advisory Partnership
Translink Corporate Finance

Deals

Private Equity Exit of the Year

LDC invested in The 55 Group, providing an exit for Maven Capital Partners
Addleshaw Goddard, Squire Patton Boggs, Gateley, DLA Piper, KPMG, Rothschild, DSW, PMSI, Better Faster Growth, Catalysis, Park Place, HSBC, Maven Capital Partners, LDC

International Deal of the Year

Assisi Pet Care Group acquired by Wind Point Partners providing a successful exit for Harwood Private Equity
Clarion, Shoosmiths, Reed Smith, Addleshaw Goddard, Reed Smith, Park Place, Tax Advisory Partnership, KPMG, Crescent Capital

Small Deal of the Year (up to £10m)

Operam Education, backed by BGF, acquires Provision Recruitment
Squire Patton Boggs, Nelsons Solicitors, Pinsent Masons, Gordons, BGF, HSBC, Connect Corporate Finance

Medium Deal of the Year (£10m-£50m)

LDC Investment in Boston Energy
SPG, Addleshaw Goddard, KPMG, Clearwater, Grant Thornton, LDC

Large Deal of the Year (over £50m)

LDC investment in Sheffield based student accommodation advertising platform, UniHomes.
Womble Bond Dickinson, Freeths, EY, Castle Square, Shoosmiths, HSBC

Individual

Rising Star of the Year

Megan Atack, Freeths
James Baker, BGF
Olivia Field, Ward Hadaway
Joshua Astill-Headley, Squire Patton Boggs
Thomas Hopwood, Addleshaw Goddard
Anthony West, LDC

Changemaker of the Year

Jessica Armstrong, Lloyds
Alexandra Fogal, EY
Carly Gulliver, Addleshaw Goddard
Linda Nguyenova, BGF
Rebecca Rennison, EY
Jeremy Thomas, Deloitte

Rainmaker of the Year

Chris Boyes, BGF
Richard Goldsack, Clearwater
Richard Hunt, Addleshaw Goddard
Paul Mann, Squire Patton Boggs
Amy Pierechod, Gordons
Dan Smith, LDC

Teams

Regional Legal Team

Brabners
Browne Jacobson
Hill Dickinson
JMW Solicitors
Napthens Solicitors
Pannone Corporate

National Legal Team

Addleshaw Goddard
DLA Piper
DWF
Eversheds Sutherland
Pinsent Masons
Squire Patton Boggs

Regional Corporate Finance Advisory Team

Cortus Advisory
Cowgills
Dow Schofield Watts
Hurst Corporate Finance
MHA
Rickitt Mitchell

National Corporate Finance Advisory Team

Clearwater
DC Advisory
EY
Grant Thornton
Houlihan Lokey
KPMG
PwC

VC/Private Equity Team

BGF
Foresight Group
LDC
Palatine
Praetura Ventures
WestBridge

Debt Funder Team

HSBC
OakNorth Bank
Shawbrook
ThinCats
TDC
Virgin Money

Asset-based Lending Team

Arbuthnot Latham
Close Brothers
Cynergy Business Finance
Praetura Commercial Finance Group
Secure Trust Bank
Shawbrook

Due Diligence Team

BDO
Cortus Advisory
Deloitte
Dow Schofield Watts
KPMG
Saffery

Tax Advisory

Alexander & Co
BDO
Claritas Tax
KPMG
PwC
RSM UK

Deals

Private Equity Exit of the Year

Anthesis acquired by Carlyle, with Palatine reinvesting
Eversheds Sutherland, Lazard, Deloitte

International Deal of the Year

Trawlers, the acquisition vehicle of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Chairman of INEOS Group, acquired 25% of Manchester United
Latham & Watkins, Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison, Slaughter and May, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Cazenove, Raine Group LLC, Rothschild & Co - Red Football LLC

Small Deal of the Year (up to £10m)

Management buyout of Resulting IT backed by YFM
Brabners, Hill Dickinson, Alexander & Co, BDO, Blacksquare Advisory, Cortus Advisory, RSM, YFM Equity Partners, KPMG

Medium Deal of the Year (£10m-£50m)

Waterland Invests in Cumbria Waste Group
Dow Schofield Watts, Waterland Private Equity Investments, Pinsent Masons, Hill Dickinson, DWF

Large Deal of the Year (over £50m)

Apadmi secures investment from CBPE
Weightmans, CBPE, Addleshaw Goddard, Deloitte, PwC, Clearwater, Alantra

Individual

Rising Star of the Year

Ryan Brown, Browne Jacobson
Tom Chappell, TDC
Grant Goodwin, LDC
Greg Holmes, Palatine
James Kennedy, Cowgills
Katie Parker, Addleshaw Goddard
Rachael Taplin, Palatine

Changemaker of the Year

Beth Houghton, Palatine
Catriona Lang, Dow Schofield Watts
Nicola Merritt, Cortus Advisory
Lucie Mills, NorthEdge
Rebecca Rennison, EY
Lizzy Tindall, Eversheds Sutherland

Rainmaker of the Year

Claire Alvarez, Foresight Group
Giles Chesher, Squire Patton Boggs
Sam Davies, Cowgills
Gary Davison, TDC
Andrew Feeke, MHA
Michael Loudon, Clearwater
Nicola Merritt, Cortus Advisory

Teams

Legal Team

Browne Jacobson
Flint Bishop
Freeths
Gateley
Howes Percival
Shakespeare Martineau

Corporate Finance Advisory Team

Bishopsgate Corporate Finance
Breeze Corporate Finance
Cooper Parry
DSW
Grant Thornton
Provantage Corporate Finance

VC/Private Equity Team

BGF
Foresight
Maven
Mercia
LDC
Palatine

Debt Funder Team

Beechbrook
HSBC
OakNorth
Shawbrook
ThinCats

Asset-based Lending Team

Close Brothers
IGF
Leumi UK
Shawbrook

Due Diligence Team

BDO
Cooper Parry
Cortus Advisory
PKF Smith Cooper
RSM

Tax Advisory Team

BDO
Claritas Tax
Cooper Parry
KPMG
PKF Smith Cooper
RSM

Deals

Private Equity Exit of the Year

YFM exit of DSP Group and sale to LDC
Browne Jacobson, Gateley Legal, BDO, Alantra, CMS, YFM, PwC, LDC

International Deal of the Year

Sale of Serif to Canva
Gateley, Provantage Corporate Finance

Small Deal of the Year (up to £10m)

Dains' acquisition of HSKSG
Dains, DSW, Deloitte, HSBC

Medium Deal of the Year (£10m-£50m)

LDC investment into Integrated Doorset Solutions
Browne Jacobson, RSM, Keystone Law, Claritas Tax, Magma, Cortus Advisory

Large Deal of the Year (over £50m)

Sale of Serif Group to Canva
Gateley, Provantage Corporate Finance

Individual

Rising Star of the Year

Amanda Betts - Provantage Corporate Finance
Matt Bolton - Browne Jacobson
Line Gauteplass - Foresight
Adam Huckerby - BGF
Hannah Tapsel - Mercia
Hannah Tessyman - Freeths

Changemaker of the Year

David Browne - Provantage Corporate Finance
Paul Kithoray - Cortus Advisory
Beth Mather - Gateley
Ses Memhi - Claritas Tax
Deepak Parekh - Shawbrook
Sandy Reid - Mercia

Rainmaker of the Year

Morgan Atherton - Bishopsgate Corporate Finance
David Bains - LDC
Paul Bevan - Breeze Corporate Finance
Nigel Blackwell - Browne Jacobson
David Browne - Provantage Corporate Finance
Sally Saunders - Provantage Corporate Finance

Teams

Regional Legal Team

HCR Law
Higgs
Lodders
Mills & Reeve
The Wilkes Partnership
Wright Hassall

National Legal Team

Browne Jacobson
Eversheds Sutherland
Freeths
Gateley Legal
Shoosmiths
Squire Patton Boggs

Regional Corporate Finance Advisory Team

Clairfield
Cooper Parry
Evolve Corporate Finance
Heligan Group
Provantage
Springboard Corporate Finance

National Corporate Finance Advisory Team

Alantra
Clearwater
EY
KPMG
PwC
RSM

VC/Private Equity Team

Beech Tree PE
BGF
LDC
NorthEdge Capital
Palatine Private Equity
YFM

Debt Funder Team

FDC
HSBC
Santander
Shawbrook
Thincats
Virgin Money

Asset-based Lending Team

Close Brothers Group
HSBC
Leumi UK
PNC
Shawbrook

Due Diligence Team

BDO
Cortus Advisory
Grant Thornton
KPMG
PwC
RSM

Tax Advisory

Claritas Tax
EY
Grant Thornton
PKF Smith Cooper
PwC
RSM

Deals

Private Equity Exit of the Year

YFM-backed an MBO of Antser Group, with BGF completing its exit
Mills & Reeve, Freeths, Gateley, Shoosmiths, Roythornes, Claritas, Heligan, PwC, Cooper Parry Corporate Finance, Springboard Corporate Finance, EY, Crowe, YFM Private Equity

International Deal of the Year

Knighthead Capital Management took a 46% stake in Birmingham City
Squire Patton Boggs, Deloitte, Knighthead Capital Management

Small Deal of the Year (up to £10m)

Forward Glass was acquired by Cornwall Group
Higgs, Springboard Corporate Finance, Claritas

Medium Deal of the Year (£10m-£50m)

Palatine took a significant minority shareholding in the accountancy firm BK Plus
Eversheds Sutherland, Gateley, Irwin Mitchell, Cortus, RSM, Clearwater, Palatine, Shawbrook

Large Deal of the Year (over £50m)

Waterland-backed Cooper Parry acquired Haines Watts London
Clearwater, Waterland, Squire Patton Boggs

Individual

Rising Star of the Year

Mo Abbas, Freeths
Charlotte Casserly, Deloitte
Tom Joy, PKF Smith Cooper
Emily Parkes, Higgs
Hayley Simmonds, Mills & Reeve
Kieran Virr, Clearwater

Changemaker of the Year

Ayesha Ali, LDC
Satvir Bungar, BDO
Kelly Henney, PNC
Deepak Parekh, Shawbrook Bank
Janai Parker, Gateley
Rick Smyth, The Wilkes Partnership

Rainmaker of the Year

Helen Brocklebank, RSM
Rob Burden, Clearwater
Joe Dyke, Clearwater
Paul Franks, Beech Tree Private Equity
Sarah Taylor, Clearwater
Richard Thomas, Palatine

Teams

Legal

Addleshaw Goddard

Corporate Finance

Sentio Partners

VC/Private Equity

LDC

Funder

HSBC

Transaction Services

Grant Thornton

Deals

Small Cap (up to £15m)

YorkTest Laboratories secured a £10m investment from NVM Private Equity
Squire Patton Boggs, Walker Morris, Ward Hadaway, Mazars, PwC, NVM Private Equity

Private Equity Exit

Phoenix Equity Partners exited Nexus Vehicle Rental after its sale to Equistone
Addleshaw Goddard, Squire Patten Boggs, Rothschild & Co, PwC, Park Place

M&A

Hippo Digital acquired data consultancy The Data Shed
Grant Thornton, Squire Patton Boggs, Armstrong, KPMG, DWF, Vista Insurance, NatWest, Addleshaw Goddard

International

Irish utilities group Beauparc Utilities acquired Acumen Waste Services
Burges Salmon, Clarion Solicitors, BDO, Park Place Corporate Finance

Public Markets

Marshalls acquired Marley in a £535m deal, part-funded by a £187m placing and open offer
Pinsent Masons, Slaughter & May, Grant Thornton, Numis Securities, Rothschild & co

Private Company

Arc Inspirations received a £19m investment, from BGF to support the accelerated rollout of its Banyan Bar & Kitchen, BOX and Manahatta brands
Gordons, Squire Patton Boggs, KPMG, BGF

Individual

Rising Star

Hannah Kirkup - Key Capital Partners

Changemaker

Nicola McQuaid - NorthEdge

Rainmaker

Jonathan Simms - Clarion

Teams

Legal

Addleshaw Goddard

Corporate Finance

Clearwater International

VC/Private Equity

Palatine Private Equity

Funder

TDC

Transaction Services

Cortus Advisory

Deals

Small Cap (up to £15m)

Maven Capital Partners acquired ProofID for £15m
Clearwater International, Maven Capital Partners

Private Equity Exit

WestBridge took a majority stake in Alpine Fire Engineers, investing £18.7m, while Soho Square Capital exited.
Addleshaw Goddard, Pinsent Masons, BDO, Blick Rothenberg, Clearwater International. Grant Thornton, Jamieson Corporate Finance, Soso Square Capital, WestBridge, Shawbrook

M&A

RSK made seven acquisitions of consultancy businesses around the UK in six weeks
Dow Schofield Watts, Cortus Advisory, DWF

International

Fishawack acquired American healthcare advisers Avalere Health
Clearsight Advisors

Public Markets

Sun European Partners bought K3 Capital Group for £270m
Houlihan Lokey, Numis Securities Ltd, Addleshaw Goddard

Private Company

The Modern Milkman raised £50m in its Series C funding round
Willkie Farr & Gallagher, ETF Partners, Insight Partners, Praetura Ventures

Individual

Rising Star

Jacob Leone - LDC

Changemaker

Nicola Merritt - Cortus Advisory

Rainmaker

Andrew Feeke - MHA Moore & Smalley

Teams

Legal
Sponsored by Rhino Interiors

Shoosmiths

Corporate Finance

Clearwater International

VC/Private Equity
Sponsored by Kuboid

NorthEdge

Funder

HSBC

Transaction Services

RSM

Deals

Small Cap (up to £15m)

Premier Paper Group bought Wine Box Company
Gateley, Harrison Clark Rickerbys, BDO, Orbis Partners

Private Equity Exit

Palatine achieved a 5.8x return on its investment in CTS Group, through a sale to Oakley Capital
Palatine, Clearwater, Gateley, Browne Jacobson, Deloitte

M&A

Telecoms firm Wavenet, acquired OGL Computer Support Holdings and its two subsidiaries OGL Computer Support and CyberGuard Technologies
DWF, Squire Patton Boggs, Orbis Partners

International

Birmingham marketing tech firm Inspired Thinking Group (Team ITG) acquired New Zealand-based Brand Machine

Public Markets

Mercia Asset Management acquired Frontier Development Capital, for £7m and with a further £4m dependent on performance
Canaccord Genuity, Mercia Asset Management

Private Company

Friend MTS was backed by private equity firm NorthEdge
Alantra, Fredrikson & Byron PA, Freeths, Gateley, Squire Patton Boggs, Walkers, Appleby, BDO LLP, Friend LLP, KPMG, Keystone Partners, Mazars

Individual

Rising Star

Matthew Guest, Springboard Corporate Finance

Changemaker

Beth Mather, Gateley

Rainmaker
Sponsored by Michael Page

Sarah Taylor, Clearwater International

Teams

Legal

Addleshaw Goddard

Corporate Finance

Houlihan Lokey

VC/Private Equity

Foresight Group

Funder

Tosca Debt Capital

Deals

Deal under £15m

Apprentify acquired Netcom Training, backed by £5m investment from BGF

Private Equity Exit

DA Languages was bought by IK Partners, with Foresight exiting

Private Company

Matillion raised $150m in a funding round led by General Atlantic

Public Markets

Victorian Plumbing floated on AIM, raising nearly £300m

M&A

Inflexion bought ANS, to combine with existing investment UKFast

International

Blue Prism was acquired by US fintech giant SS&C for £1.24bn

Individual

Rising Star (under 35)

Peter Barkley - WestBridge

Changemaker

Beth Houghton - Palatine Private Equity

Rainmaker

Dominic Orsini - Houlihan Lokey

Teams

Legal

Clarion

Corporate Finance

Clearwater International

VC/Private Equity

BGF

Funder

HSBC

Deals

Small Cap (under £20m)

Sheffield Forgemasters was acquired by the Ministry of Defence

Private Equity Exit

The sale of Estio Training to BPP Education Group was the first exit from Palatine’s Impact Fund

M&A

Succession and growth finance raising for Carnaby Caravans

Rising Stars

Legal

Mae Salem, Squire Patton Boggs

Corporate Finance

Duncan Morpeth, Grant Thornton

Investment

Paul Denvers, Enact

Funder

Rebecca Rennison, EY

Individual

Changemaker

Rob Atkinson, Virgin Money

Rainmaker

Stephen Griffiths, Rothschild & Co

Teams

Regional Legal Team

Brabners
WINNER: Browne Jacobson
CG Professional
Forbes
Harrison Drury
JMW
Napthens
TLT

National Legal Team

WINNER: Addleshaw Goddard
DLA Piper
DWF
Eversheds
Gateley
Hill Dickinson
Pinsent Masons
Squire Patton Boggs

Regional CF Advisory Team

Carbon
Cowgills
Dow Schofield Watts
Hurst
Knight CF
Logros
WINNER: MHA
Rickitt Mitchell

National CF Advisory Team

Alvarez & Marsal
WINNER: Clearwater
EY
Grant Thornton
Houlihan Lokey
KPMG
Rothschild
RSM

VC/Private Equity Team

WINNER: BGF
Foresight
LDC
Maven
NorthEdge
Palatine
PXN
Westbridge
YFM

Turnaround Team

Alvarez & Marsal
BTG (Begbies)
EY
WINNER: FRP
Interpath
KR8
Leonard Curtis
Teneo

Asset Based Lending Team

Arbuthnot
Close Brothers
HSBC
NatWest
Praetura
WINNER: Shawbrook

Debt Funder Team

Barclays
HSBC
Natwest
WINNER: OakNorth
Santander
Shawbrook
TDC
Thincats

Transaction Services Team

Alvarez & Marsal
BDO
WINNER: Cortus Advisory
Cowgills
Grant Thornton
KPMG
PwC
RSM

Insurance Team

Aon
Gallagher
WINNER: Lockton
Mactavish
Marsh
Vista
Wiispa

Deals

Out of Region Deal of the Year

WINNER: Hippo Digital investment from Exponent Private Equity

DC Advisory, KPMG, Latham & Watkins, Squire Patton Boggs, KPMG

Helix International Group investment from Queen's Park Equity

BDO, HCR Legal, KPMG, McDermott Will & Schulte

HubBox £6m investment led by Puma Growth Partners

Beyond M&A, Charles Russell Speechlys, Cyber DueDil, Johnston Carmichael, Shoosmiths, Fieldfisher

Pass Tech investment by Hypha

Cowgills, DLA Piper, Mills & Reeve

J&J Fulfilment acquired by Dutch QLS Group (backed by Waterland) from LDC and management

A&O Shearman, Broadfield, DLA Piper Netherlands, Pinsent Masons, Arrowpoint Advisory, Shoosmiths

Four Lane Enterprises (FibroFind) sold to Vespa Capital

BDO, DLA Piper, Grant Thornton, Mills & Reeve, Santander, Vespa Capital

Cooper Turner Beck acquired by Waterland

Alvarez & Marsal, Baird, CMS, Mincoffs, Pinsent Masons

Oak Engage acquired by NorthEdge

Addleshaw Goddard, Cavendish, Cortus Advisory, Fellwood Advisory, Santander, Claritas

Early Stage Deal of the Year

Cytotrait £3m seed funding round

Northern Gritstone, Brabners

Made With Intent £2.4m investment round led by NPIFII – PXN Equity Finance

PXN Ventures

QV Bioelectronics, investment round worth £4.5m led by PXN Ventures

DWF, PXN Ventures, Spencer West

ScrubMarine raised over £1m in pre-seed funding

PXN Ventures

WINNER: Deltabase investment by River Capital and EHE Ventures

Brabners, Browne Jacobson, CG Professional, Knight Corporate Finance

BreezeMove funding round

Baltic Ventures

Atomik AM funding from NPIF II

Harper James, TLT, PXN Ventures

ADTechOptima, £200k investment from PraeSeed and NPIF II

PXN Ventures

Small Deal of the Year (up to £10m)

Citrus-Lime, BGF investment

BGF, Hill Dickinson, Hurst, Mills & Reeve, Saffery

Winner: Federal Café investment of £3m by Foresight

DSW, Gateley, Hill Dickinson, MHA

Darwen Terracotta transition to £8m employee ownership trust part-funded by HSBC

Forbes Solicitors, HSBC, Logros , Saffery

Emtec Climate Solutions acquired by Broadfield Capital Partners

Addleshaw Goddard, Ali Legal, Browne Jacobson, Herrington Carmichael, HMT, K3 Tax, Claritas

Fletchers Engineering Group sale to Tendra Technical Services backed by Triton Partners

Addleshaw Goddard, Browne Jacobson, DLA Piper, MHA

Terry Lifts sale to Bruno Independent Living Aids

BDO, Aaron & Partners, Fieldfisher, S&W

Medium Deal of the Year (£10m-£50m)

Versori sale to Avalara

Cowgills, Napthens

UAP Group's sale to Allegion plc

Browne Jacobson, Clearwater, Fieldfisher

myHappymind investment by LDC

Alvarez & Marsal, Cortus, Finex Advisory, Hill Dickinson, JMW Solicitors, Mansfield Advisors, Silverpeak, Claritas

WINNER: Leonard Curtis buyout led by Pollen Street Capital

Appleby, BDO, Clearwater, Graph, Hill Dickinson, KPMG, LEK, MacTavish, PwC, Silverbridge, TLT, Wiispa, TDC

IMS Euro Group sale to Elysian Capital

Addleshaw Goddard, Aon, DWF, EY, KPMG, PwC

fulfilmentcrowd investment from Palatine Private Equity

Alvarez & Marsal, Clearwater, Crosslake, Gateley, Hill Dickinson, Roland Berger, RSM, Squire Patton Boggs, ThinCats

GreenThumb sale to KEYTO Group

Cowgills, Hill Dickinson, Claritas

Panthera Biopartners acquisition by LDC

DLA Piper, DWF, EY Parthenon, KPMG, TDC, PwC, Rothschild & Co

Large Deal of the Year (£50m+)

WINNER: APEM Group sale to Applus+ for £337m by Westbridge

Alvarez & Marsal, CIL, DSW Corporate Finance, DWF, Lazard, Liberty, Pinsent Masons, Squire Patton Boggs, Westbridge

Suntera Global sale to Valeas Capital Partners

Gateley, Jefferies, Kirkland & Ellis

Cooper Parry sale to Lee Equity Partners

Addleshaw Goddard, Araoz & Rueda, Gateley, GORG, Herbert Smith Freehills, Kain, Proskauer, Simmons & Simmons

PAM Healthcare sale to Optima Health

A&O Shearman, Barclays, DLA Piper, Eversheds Sutherland, EY Parthenon, HSBC, KPMG, OC&C, Panmure Liberum

The Beauty Tech Group IPO

Addleshaw Goddard, Berenberg, BDO, Rothschild

William Hare Group acquired by Simon Orange's family office

Alvarez & Marsal, Beyond Corporate, Brabners, Cortus Advisory Group

WCCTV sale by LDC to Arcus Infrastructure Partners

Ashurst, Deloitte, Houlihan Lokey, HSBC, Lincoln International, Lloyds, OC&C, PwC, Roland Berger, Squire Patton Boggs

Hakim Group secondary buyout

Ares, Cleary Gottlieb, David Polk Wardell, Deloitte, EY, Goodwin, NatWest, OC&C, PwC, Rothschild, Santander

Individual

Rising Star

WINNER: Rhys Davenport, BGF
Tom Dutton, Westbridge
Chloe Fletcher, Alvarez & Marsal
Amy Huddleston, Grant Thornton
Alex Kirkby, LDC
Matt Klemperer, Lloyds Banking Group
Patrick Molyneux, KPMG
Amy Murphy, FRP
Robbie Taberner, MHA

Changemaker

Mandy Allen, Clearwater
Jenny Kirkham, Cortus Advisory
WINNER: Helen Spence, EY
Lizzy Tindall, Eversheds
Steph Wall, Palatine
Pauline Wild, Forbes

Rainmaker

Jonathan Boyers, Alvarez & Marsal
WINNER: Ed Gale, Clearwater
Roger Hart, Addleshaw Goddard
Beth Houghton, Palatine
James Kennedy, Cowgills
Chris Stott, KPMG
Peter Terry, Grant Thornton
Tom Wildig, Palatine

Lifetime Achievement

WINNER: Michael Reeves, Clearwater

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Teams

Regional Legal Team

Ansons
HCR
WINNER: Higgs
Legal Clarity
Lodders
MFG Solicitors
Wilkes

National Legal Team

WINNER: Browne Jacobson
DLA Piper
Eversheds
Freeths
Gateley
Mills & Reeve
Pinsent Mason
Shoosmiths
Squire Patton Boggs

Regional CF Advisory Team

BTG Corporate Finance
Clairfield
Debretts
WINNER: Evolve Corporate Finance
Headpoint
PKF Smith Cooper
Provantage

National CF Advisory Team

Alvarez & Marsal
BDO
WINNER: Clearwater
EY
KPMG
Rothschild
RSM

VC/Private Equity Team

August Equity
Beechtree
WINNER: BGF
Future Planet Capital (Midven)
LDC
Mercia
Northedge
Palatine

Debt Funder Team

Beechbrook
FDC
HSBC
Lloyds
Natwest
WINNER: OakNorth
Santander
Shawbrook
Virgin Money

Asset Based Lending Team

Allica Bank
Arbuthnot
Close Brothers
HSBC
IGF
Leumi
Secure Trust Bank
WINNER: Shawbrook

Transaction Services Team

BDO
Claritas Tax
Cooper Parry
Cortus Advisory
WINNER: Grant Thornton
KPMG
PwC
RSM

Insurance Team

Aon
Gallagher
Howden
Lockton
WINNER: Partners&
Wiispa

Turnaround Team

Alvarez & Marsal
BTG
FRP
WINNER: Interpath
PwC
Quantuma
Teneo

Deals

Out of Region Deal of the Year

WINNER: LDC invested in property group Frankham

Alvarez & Marsal, Clearwater, Confidas, Coppett Hill, Fairgrove, Freeths, FSP, Gateley Legal, Mactavish, Parisi Tax, PwC, RSM, Squire Patton Boggs, Tatsu, Cortus Advisory

Foresight's investment into Cheltenham-headquartered Montpellier Legal

Browne Jacobson, Confidas, Fairgrove Partners, Foresight Group, Freeths, Hazlewoods, Lockton, Virgin Money

Thrive Learning completed the acquisitions of Huler and Guider

Austin Moore & Partners, Claritas Tax, Provantage Corporate Finance

Pearson Ham Group's market pricing business was acquired by AIM-listed Fintel

Eversheds Sutherland, Hill Dickinson, Parisi Tax, Provantage Corporate Finance, Touchstone Advisory

Components group BPX was sold to RS Group

Arc Building Consultancy, BHW, Claritas Tax, Parisi Tax, Provantage Corporate Finance

Certania Aquico-UK bought ICA Group

HCR Legal, Hill Dickinson, Victanis Advisory Services, Clearwater

Inspirit Capital-backed Spaldings was sold to Invicta Holdings

Charles Russell Speechlys, Mills & Reeve, Oaklins S&W Corporate Finance, Saffery

Phenna Group acquired Aquatech Environmental Services, its 18th acquisition in 2025

Davidson and Co Law, Hill Dickinson, K3 Law, Knights

Early Stage Deal of the Year

Mercia Ventures, EOS and others invested £4m into Taisan Motors

Founders Law, Higgs LLP, Thorntons Legal

Inicio AI secured £2.6m in seed funding, including £500,000 investment from the West Midlands Co-Investment Fund, £500,000 from Rigby Group, and £300,000 from Haatch Ventures.

Future Planet Capital, Freeths, Harty & Smith

WINNER: Future Planet Capital invested in electric motorcycle manufacturer Maeving as part of an £11m Series A round to accelerate international expansion

Freeths

Student Energy Group acquired Midland Business Solutions Ltd, an early-stage company specialising in energy pricing and cost-efficiency analysis

Hill Dickinson, Talbots Law

Jägermeister's VC arm Best Nights made a seed investment into live music platform GigPig

GOF Gütt Olk Feldhaus, Higgs LLP

Mercia Ventures made a seed investment into gut-friendly toothpaste company Gutology]

Higgs LLP, White & Black Limited

A consortium acquired Keymas Limited, an early-stage automation business, in a deal involving trust-based ownership and non-standard share arrangements

Alston Asquith, Hill Dickinson, KBS Corporate

Small Deal of the Year (up to £10m)

NorthEdge supported PebblePad's acquisition of 'myday' education platform provider Collabco

Claritas Tax, Cortus, Crosslake
Fellwood, GCS, Goodwin Procter, Squire Patton Boggs

WINNER: BGF and OakNorth made a minority investment into tech-enabled HR solutions provider Opus Safety

BGF, Claritas Tax, Evolve CF, Fieldfisher, Higgs LLP, OakNorth, Pinsent Masons

Foresight Group invested £7m into TEC Electric Motors

Birketts, Confidas, DWF, Foresight Group, Lockton, PMSI, Saffery, Virgin Money

WHS Plastics acquired the Polytec Car Styling business from Polytec Group.

Freeths, Knights, Teneo

Dains acquired tax consultancy TBAT Innovation

Cyber Crowd, Dains, DSW, Mercia, PDW, PKF Smith Cooper, Smith Partnership

Pace Group completed a series of acquisitions — Exel Elevators, The Lift Company, DJ Lift Services and Lift Smart — with debt and equity support

Clearwater, Gateley, Higgs LLP, HSBC, LDC, Pinsent Masons

Claritas Tax acquired the Tax Incentives & Reliefs business from Markel International

Claritas Tax, Eversheds, Fieldfisher

West Midlands Co-Investment Fund made a seed investment into Nourished owner Rem3dy Health

Future Planet Capital, Higgs LLP

Medium Deal of the Year (£10m-£50m)

Whale Tankers, a manufacturer of vacuum tankers and jetting equipment, was sold to Kaiser AG

Clairfield, Claritas Tax, Gateley, Grant Thornton, HCR Wright Hassall, HSBC

August Equity made an equity investment in Higgs LLP

Equator, Lockton, MHA, PwC, Rothschild & Co, RSM, Squire Patton Boggs, Travers Smith

WINNER: LDC invested in Harper James, a full-service commercial law firm

Claritas Tax, Clearwater, Coppett Hill, Eversheds Sutherland, Freeths, Investec, KPMG, PMSI, RSM, Shoosmiths, Springboard

Vestum AB acquired Nortech Management Holding

Baringa, Evolve Corporate Finance, Fieldfisher, Grant Thornton, HCR Law

Knighthead Capital Management acquired a 49% stake in Birmingham Phoenix Limited, one of eight franchises in The Hundred cricket competition, for £40m

Deloitte, JMW Solicitors, Latham & Watkins, Onside Law, Squire Patton Boggs

Litron Lasers, a solid state laser systems manufacturer, and its subsidiaries were sold to Nilario

Alvarez & Marsal, Eversheds Sutherland, Freeths, Gowling WLG, Pinsent Masons, Setterwalls, Snellman

Wow Stuff was sold to Dutch toy group Troy, with Forte Capital backing the acquisition and BGF continuing as a minority investor

Claritas Tax, Higgs LLP, Marktlink, PKF Smith Cooper, RSM, Shoosmiths, Wilkes

Rubicon acquired Erodex

FRP, HSBC, KPMG, Pinsent Masons, Roland Berger, Higgs

Spanish consumer group Idilia Foods acquired by Shaken Udder from LDC

Grant Thornton , KPMG, Freeths, EY, Clifford Chance

Large Deal of the Year (£50m+)

Whitworths acquired food manufacturer KTC

HSBC, NatWest, Virgin Money, Santander, RSM, Pinsent Masons, DLA

Telent Technologies Services was sold to M Group Telecom Holdings

Pinsent Masons, Norton Rose Fullbright

Inflexion and 65 Equity Partners invested in Kee Safety

HSBC, Lloyds, Rothschild & Co, Eversheds, Gateley, Grant Thornton, PwC, Latham & Watlkins, Travers Smith, CIL, KPMG, Freshfields, Clifford Chance

WINNER: Obsequio Group was sold to Warren Equity Partners, providing an exit for Beech Tree and Beechbrook Capital

Clearwater, Browne Jacobson, Alvarez and Marsal, PwC, Sidley Austin, Beech Tree Private Equity, Barclays, RSM

Sovereign Capital Partners bought Apollo Home Healthcare

Hill Dickinson, Eversheds Sutherland, EY, BDO, Shawbrook, Grant Thornton

Vista Equity Partners invested in field service management software provider Joblogic

Fieldfisher, Claritas Tax, Kirkland & Ellis, Alantra , O'Melveny & Myers, RSM

MDM Holdings, including its subsidiary Dream Car Giveaways, was sold to Australian group Jumbo Interactive

Squire Patton Boggs, RSM, DAC Beachcroft

NFP Holdings (an AON company) acquired Bspoke Insurance Group

Squire Patton Boggs, Browne Jacobson

Individual

Rising Star

WINNER: Georgie Arthur, Evolve Corporate Finance
Karen Mann, LDC
Will Mason, Debretts
Christie Nelson, Freeths
Jordan Phillips, Provantage
Callum Shields, KPMG
Tom Wisniewski, Hill Dickinson
Rob Worsfold, Eversheds Sutherland

Changemaker

Mohammed Abbas, Freeths
Nick Dawson, Hill Dickinson
Zhuo Li, Gateley Legal
Tom Parry, BK Plus
Scott Peters, Quantuma
WINNER: Rick Smyth, Wilkes
Sophie Wardell, Higgs

Rainmaker

Rob Burden, Clearwater
Lee Clifford, Freeths
WINNER: Joe Dyke, Clearwater
Chris Handy, LDC
Clare Hanna, Browne Jacobson
Andy Moody, Alvarez & Marsal
David Neate, Evolve Corporate Finance
Seb Saywood, BGF
Sarah Taylor, Clearwater

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Teams

Regional Legal Team

Actons
Austin Moore & Partners
BHW Solicitors
Flint Bishop
Howes Percival
Nelsons
Rothera Bray

National Legal Team

Browne Jacobson
Eversheds
Freeths
Gateley
Knights
Shakespeare Martineau
Shoosmiths
Weightmans

Regional CF Advisory Team

Bishopsgate
Breeze
Dains
DSW
Evolve Corporate Finance
PKF Smith Cooper
Provantage
Skye CF

National CF Advisory Team

BDO
Clearwater
Cooper Parry
Grant Thornton
KPMG
PwC

VC/Private Equity Team

Beech Tree
BGF
Foresight
LDC
Maven
Mercia
Palatine

Debt Funder Team

Allica Bank
HSBC
Lloyds
Natwest
OakNorth
Shawbrook
Virgin Money / Nationwide

Asset Based Lending Team

Allica Bank
HSBC
IGF
Leumi
Natwest
Shawbrook
Ultimate Finance
Virgin Money / Nationwide

Transaction Services Team

BDO
Claritas Tax
Cooper Parry
Cortus Advisory
Dains
Discovery Diligence
PKF Smith Cooper
PwC

Insurance Team

Aon
Lockton
Marsh
Partners&
WIISPA

Turnaround Team

BDO
Begbies Traynor
FRP
Interpath
PKF Smith Cooper
PwC
RSM

Deals

Out of Region Deal of the Year

Karali Group acquisition of Côte Brasserie

Freeths, Interpath, PKF Smith Cooper

LDC exit of Shaken Udder to Idilia

Birketts, Clifford Chance, EY, Freeths, Grant Thornton, KPMG

Foresight-backed buyout of Advantiv

Browne Jacobson, Foresight, Virgin Money

Kinetic IT sale to Circet UK

Birketts, Parisi Tax, Provantage

Connells Group sale of three of its subsidiaries, trading as Mortgage Intelligence, to OneDome

Freeths, KPMG, O'Connors Legal Services, OneDome

SPGL sale to CERTANIA

Freeths, Hill Dickinson, Lydian, Provantage , Squire Patton Boggs

Early Stage Deal of the Year

TextureJet's seven-figure investment round led by Midlands Mindforge, alongside Foresight Group and the University of Nottingham

Browne Jacobson, Freeths

Nottingham digital marketing agency Axon Point's £30,000 of funding through the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II

Spirit Health's £2m debt finance package from the British Business Bank’s Midlands Engine Investment Fund II (MEIF II), managed by Maven Capital Partners

Sterling Corporate Finance

Venture Independent School's six-figure loan from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II

Maven

Rocket-X's six-figure funding from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, via Maven Capital Partners

Maven

Nottingham’s Doughnotts' six-figure loan from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, via Maven Capital Partners, to fund its retail expansion and new franchise model

Maven, Nelsons

Kalas Packaging's £520,000 debt funding package from the British Business Bank’s Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, managed by Maven Capital Partners

Small Deal of the Year (up to £10m)

Thrive Learning's acquisitions Huler and Guider

Austin Moore & Partners, Claritas Tax, Provantage

Bloc Digital Limited's private equity investment

Bright Advisory, Browne Jacobson, The Smith Partnership, Breeze Corporate Finance

Peppermill Interiors sale to The Flair Collective

Dains, Flint Bishop, Nelsons

LDC-backed acquisition of three marinas by Aquavista

Barings, Clydesdale Bank, Gateley Legal, Cooper Parry, Lloyds Bank

TBAT Innovation sale Dains Accountants

CyberCrowd, Dains, DSW, Freeths, IK Partners, McDermott Will & Emery, PKF Smith Cooper, The Smith Partnership

Mitchells merger with SMH Group

Addleshaw Goddard, Clearwater, CMP Legal, Cortus Advisory, HSBC Asset Management, HSBC UK, Phoenix Equity Partners, Shakespeare Martineau, Squire Patton Boggs, Travers Smith

LDC backing of IDSL Group for the acquisition of Fire Doors Rite

Lloyds Bank, Browne Jacobson, Claritas Tax, Cortus Advisory

Connections Legal Management (CLM) sale to Liberty Blume

Birketts, Bishopsgate Corporate Finance

NatWest-backed acquisition of Marxman by Charles Bentley

NatWest

Medium Deal of the Year (£10m-£50m)

BGF exit of Brisant Secure, following its acquisition by Allegion

BDO, Browne Jacobson, KPMG, PMSI

LDC investment in Bespoke Kitchen Foods

Alvarez & Marsal, AON, Browne Jacobson, Claritas Tax, Cooper Parry, Cortus Advisory, Moore Kingston Smith, Needle Partners

Millenium Site Services sale to Maple House Capital

Browne Jacobson, Buzzacott, Dains, Flint Bishop, HSBC, Jigsaw97, Marriott Harrison, PKF Smith Cooper, WaveBridge Capital

Transvac Systems Limited sale Ingersoll Rand

Browne Jacobson, Cooper Parry, PwC, Skye Corporate Finance

Hydromarque Group sale to WTR Group

Baker McKenzie, Bishopsgate, Corporate Finance, Forvis Mazars, Freeths, Knights

Eagle Eye Innovations' eight-figure private equity investment from LDC

Armstrong, Austin Moore & Partners, BDO, Bishopsgate Corporate Finance, Claritas Tax, Clearwater, Freeths, Mactavish

Leicestershire-based Abtec Group sale to Cow Corner

BDO, Clearwater

West Transport Group sale to Lockwood Group

Beswicks, Freeths, HSBC, PKF Smith Cooper, Shakespeare Martineau

Large Deal of the Year (£50m+)

Vitruvian Partners investment in Blue Light Cards

BGF, FTI Consulting, GP Bullhound, HSBC UK, K&E, OC&C, Oliver Wyman, PwC

LDC exit of Aquavista Watersides & Marinas to Antin Infrastructure Partners

Burness Paull, DC Advisory, Debevoise & Plimpton, Gateley Legal, PwC, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, NatWest, Lloyds Bank

Beech Tree exit of Obsequio Group to Warren Equity Partners

BJS, Clearwater, OC&C, PwC

Metric Search's investment from US private equity firm Southfield Capital

Browne Jacobson, Finn Dixon & Herling, Houlihan Lokey, RSM, Simmons & Simmons

Frasers Group acquisition of the York Designer Outlet and Designer Outlet East Midlands shopping centres

BDO

Derbyshire-based Mortgage Advice Bureau transfer of its LSE listing from AIM to the Main Market

BDO

Individual

Rising Star

Peter Abel - Nelsons
Joe Anderson - PKF Smith Cooper
Philip Dean - Cortus Advisory
Tom Herbert - BGF
Leanne Hopper - PwC
Hannah Hutchinson - LDC
Emily McFadyen - Weightmans
Tom Rainsford - NatWest
Andy Shepherd - Provantage

Changemaker

Paul Bevan - Breeze Corporate Finance
Thomas Boss - Breeze Corporate Finance
Katie Cash - Cooper Parry
Beth Mather - Gateley
Sally Saunders - Provantage
Tom Summers - Evolve Corporate Finance
Hannah Tessyman - Freeths

Rainmaker

Morgan Atherton - Bishopsgate Corporate Finance
David Bains - LDC
Amanda Betts - Provantage
Matt Bolton - Browne Jacobson
Rob Burden - Clearwater
Sally Saunders - Provantage
Claire Spencer - PKF Smith Cooper
Harry Walker - DSW

Teams

Regional Legal Team

Ashfords
Clarke Willmott
Foot Anstey
Michelmores
Roxburgh Milkins
Stephens Scown
Thrings
VWV

National Legal Team

Birketts
Burges Salmon
Freeths
HCR Law
Osborne Clarke
Shakespeare Martineau
TLT
Womble Bond Dickinson

Regional CF Advisory Team

Albert Goodman
Bishop Fleming
Hazlewoods
Momentum Corporate Finance
PKF Francis Clark
Shaw & Co
Unify Corporate Finance

National CF Advisory Team

Alvarez & Marsal
Azets
BDO
EY
FRP Advisory
Grant Thornton
ICON Corporate Finance
KPMG
RSM UK

VC/Private Equity Team

BGF
Foresight Group
LDC
Maven Capital Partners
Mercia
YFM Equity Partners

Debt Funder Team

Allica Bank
Barclays
FW Capital
HSBC
Lloyds Bank
Metro Bank
Natwest
Santander
Shawbrook

Asset Based Lending Team

Barclays
Bibby Financial Services
HSBC
Lloyds Bank
Lombard Asset Finance
Natwest
Santander UK
Shawbrook

Transaction Services Team

BDO
EY
Grant Thornton
Hazlewoods
PKF Francis Clark
PwC
RSM UK

Insurance Team

Aon
Gallagher
Howden Group
Lockton
Marsh
Partners&

Turnaround Team

BDO
FRP Advisory
Grant Thornton
Interpath Advisory
PKF Francis Clark
PwC
Teneo

Deals

Out of Region Deal of the Year

Low Carbon sale of Gate Burton DCO solar project to EDF Renewables

Burges Salmon, PKF Francis Clark, TLT

Mademoiselle Desserts Corby acquisition of The English Cheesecake Company

gunnercooke, HCR Law, PwC

Sale of ARC Building Solutions to LDC

CMS, Collinson Grant, Dow Schofield Watts, LDC, Momentum Corporate Finance, Pinsent Masons, PMSI, RSM, Shoosmiths, Virgin Money

Dragonpass acquired Ello Group

BDO, Foot Anstey, Grant Thornton, Shakespeare Martineau

Welsh Rugby Union refinanced debt to back infrastructure and grassroots rugby

DLA Piper, Goldman Sachs, HSBC

Acaster Lloyd transition to Employee Ownership Trust

Chalkhill Blue, DSA Prospect, Thrings, Wilsons Solicitors

Finlight acquisition of 100MW solar portfolio from NextEnergy Solar Fund

Albert Goodman, Burges Salmon, Eversheds Sutherland, Jones Lang LaSalle, Mazars, Riskpoint Solutions

Early Stage Deal of the Year

HTMS secured seed funding from Maven to commercialise its composite materials and expand manufacturing

Confidas People, Foot Anstey, Lockton, Maven Capital Partners

Blueskytec landed £1.5m investment from Maven Capital Partners

TLT, VWV, Maven Capital Partners

Algapelago raised £773k growth funding for marine bioproducts platform

Michelmores, Field Seymour Parkes

Rockpool Investments took stake in CareScribe and Medincle

Azets, Claritas Tax, Roxburgh Milkins, Temple Bright, Allica Bank, RWK Goodman

Luna Pet Healthcare received first institutional funding from Maven

Confidas People, Foot Anstey, Jenson Solutions, Lockton, Maven Capital Partners

TrueStart Coffee closed Series A investment led by JamJar Investments

DLF Venture, JamJar Investments

Small Deal of the Year (up to £10m)

Sinewave took minority stake investment from Three Hills

Baringa, CIL, Cortus Advisory, Eversheds Sutherland, KPMG, LCap Group, Opus Corporate Finance, RSM, Three Hills, Thrings, Vista

Double Puc won working-capital investment from South West Investment Fund

British Business Bank, FW Capital

Ventro Group acquired Harrold-Jones Services

Ballards, Hazlewoods, K3, KBS Corporate, Michelmores, Weil Gotshal and Manges

BLOCK secured a £6m growth investment led by the Gent Family Investment Company

Ashfords, Bishop Fleming, Isca Ventures, Michelmores

Bristol Ambulance was sold out of Administration to EMED

PKF Francis Clark

Medium Deal of the Year (£10m-£50m)

BGF exited Off-Piste Wines in a sale to Terold Invest

BGF, HCR Law

Pole Star purchased Clearwater Dynamics

Foot Anstey, Goodwin Proctor, PKF Francis Clark

Foresight Group invested in Montpellier Legal

Benchmark International, Browne Jacobson, Calibre One, Confidas People, Fairgrove Partners, Foresight Group, Freeths, Hazlewoods, Hopson Solicitors, Lansdown Partners, Lockton, SurSum Advisory, Vaultinum, Virgin Money

Route One Newco sale to Employee Ownership Trust

PKF Francis Clark, Shakespeare Martineau, Thrings

Ocean Fish Group sale to Fortuna

Andrew Jacksons, FRP Corporate Finance, HSBC, Kreston Reeves, Michelmores

LDC backed Taking Care carve-out buyout from AXA Health

Alvarez and Marsal, BDO, Collinson Grant, Coppett Hill, Grant Thornton, K3 Tax Advisory, LDC, Mactavish, Michelmores, Osborne Clarke, PMSI, K3 Deal Advisory

Cysiam received investment from Northedge

Burges Salmon, Claritas Tax, EY Parthenon, NorthEdge

SLG Brands asset sale to Thriving Brands

FRP Corporate Finance, HCR Law, Willkie Farr & Gallagher

Signable won growth capital investment from BGF

Ashfords, BGF, FRP Corporate Finance, VWV

Large Deal of the Year (£50m+)

Cornish Lithium raised £35m equity funding from National Wealth Fund and TechMet

National Wealth Fund, TechMet

Macquarie's stake acquisition in Bristol and Birmingham Airports

Cheshire Pension Fund, LGPS Central, West Midlands Pension Fund

Hybrid management buyout backed by EAB

BDO, Clarity, Cozen O’Connor, Hazlewoods, JEGI LEONIS, Kirkland & Ellis, Lloyds, Momentum Corporate Finance, Osborne Clarke, Womble Bond Dickinson, LDC

Nonwovenn sale to CorpAcq

Addleshaw Goddard, Alantra, BGF, CIL, Deloitte, KPMG, Liberty, Squire Patton Boggs

Ground Control Technologies sale to CLS UK

Capital Law UK, HCR Law, Hinshaw & Culbertson, Osborne Clarke

Phoenix Equity Partners investment in Squarcle Consulting

Burges Salmon, CIL, Clarke Willmott, Cooper Cavendish, EY, Momentum Corporate Finance, Osborne Clarke

Individual

Rising Star

Ben Donati - FW Capital
Louis Hall - BGF
Tom Hicks - PKF Francis Clark
James Johnson - Momentum Corporate Finance
Rafi Khan - Maven Capital Partners
Vera Kuehne - LDC
Katie Shaw - Maven Capital Partners
Richard Strong - EY

Changemaker

Melanie Goward - Maven Capital Partners
Nick Jones - Grant Thornton
Andrew Killick - PKF Francis Clark
Luke Matthews - Maven Capital Partners
Mark Naughton - FRP Corporate Finance
Nina Searle - TLT LLP
John Workman - BPE Solicitors

Rainmaker

Alastair Boorman - Momentum Corporate Finance
Matthew Eves - EY
Melanie Goward - Maven Capital Partners
Stefan Gunn - LDC
Dewi Hughes - LDC
Hannah King - BGF
Mark Naughton - FRP Corporate Finance

Teams

Large Legal Team
Mid Market/Boutique Legal Team
Corporate Finance Team - Regional
Corporate Finance Team - National
VC/Private Equity Team
Turnaround Team
Asset-based Lending Team
Debt Funder Team
Transaction Services Team
Insurance Team

Deals

Out of Scotland Deal
Early Stage Deal
Small Deal of the Year (up to £10m)
Medium Deal of the Year (£10m-£50m)
Large Deal of the Year (£50m+)

Individual

Rising Star
Changemaker
Rainmaker