WINNERS OF THE DEALMAKERS AWARDS 2009 FOR CENTRAL AND EAST OF ENGLAND
Your Image Caption
On 24 November, the Dealmakers Awards, the who's who in corporate finance, for Central and East of England where held at the Jurys Inn, Central Milton Keynes. Nominations were collected by Insider Media from business leaders and advisors throughout the region, the shortlist of the most favoured and the winner for each category were kept under lock and key until the presentations themselves.
“Not one person in the 170 who sat down to dinner knew whether they were going to appear on the shortlists or not – many of the winners were genuinely surprised. Corporate finance has been a tough industry to be in this year, but determination has paid off as most people within the room had been closing deals against the odds,” explained Rachael Bonfield director of Solution Factors PR and Marketing, sponsor of the Specialist Finance Provider of the Year.
MacIntyre Hudson's corporate finance team in Milton Keynes brought home a double whammy. They won Corporate Finance Advisory Team of the Year, sponsored by HSBC, and their principal, Laurence Whitehead, also scooped up Dealmaker of the Year, sponsored by Denton Wilde Sapte.
“I am totally surprised and also very pleased. It has been a tough year and there is a huge amount of first-class legal, corporate finance and banking experts in here. We have all completed a few deals recently and hopefully we will have a better 12 months ahead,” said Laurence as he collected his trophy.
Deal of the year, sponsored by Corpfin, was won by Five Corporate Finance of Cranfield for Bart Spices management buyout (MBO). The MBO was sealed only six years after a previous buyout.
“It was a great deal and we were supported by great teams. Richard Booty of RBS did a fantastic job, and EMW Picton Howell made sure the deal went through,” commented Oliver Wright, partner at Five Corporate Finance.
EMW Picton Howell walked away with Corporate Law Firm of the Year for the second consecutive time, sponsored by Mazars. This year's achievements headlined the admirable Bart and Drummond Park buyouts.
Specialist Finance Provider of the Year, sponsored by Solution Factors PR and Marketing was won by Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance. Corporate Bank of the Year, sponsored by ECI, was won by HSBC.
“You have voted for these awards in the hundreds. To get a deal away in this climate is so much more of an achievement,” commented Michael Taylor, editorial director of Insider.
Each year, the region's Dealmakers Awards event supports a charity. This year it was the turn of the Spinal Injuries Association who gave raffle prizes which included a champagne balloon ride for two. Overall, the raffle raised more than £1,500.
Posted Tuesday December 1st 2009
By Rachael Bonfield