Corporate finance community honoured at Yorkshire Rainmaker Awards
The corporate finance community across Yorkshire has been recognised for its contribution to the regional economy over the past year.
TheBusinessDesk.com’s Yorkshire Rainmaker Awards 2018, held at The Queens at lunchtime, saw a variety of firms across the region celebrate corporate finance community activities of the past 12 months.
A total of 10 awards were presented for a range of deals which made a significant contribution to the region’s economy.
The Rainmaker of the Year – voted for completely by the corporate finance community in a one firm, one vote system – was named as Stephen Griffiths of Rothschild. His firm, Rothschild, also picked up the Financial Advisor Award as part of the Rainmaker’s Dream Team.
This year’s Deal of the Year was named as the acquisition of Yorkshire’s Heron Food Group by value retailer B&M in a £152m deal.
The full list of award winners is below.
The advisors recognised for their involvement in the deal were Gordons, Addleshaw Goddard, Deloitte, BofA Merrill Lynch and PwC.
The Rainmakers Dream Team award was presented for the first time, recognising five key advisors across the regional marketplace who have played their part in numerous deals.
The shortlist was drawn up by a judging panel of corporate finance experts – Stuart Watson, Martin Jenkins, Liz Richards and Jeremy Shulman. Then, the corporate finance community voted on their winners.
Founder of investment fund Zeus Capital, Richard Hughes, spoke about the marketplace at present and his experience having worked n the sector across the north for more than 30 years.
Michael Page sponsored today’s awards and the charity sponsor was NSPCC. Post-lunch drinks were then served in The Alchemist on Greek Street.
Kayley Worsley, Yorkshire editor, said: “It is great to mark the achievements of the firms and people that work across Yorkshire to get deals across the line and support our economy and regional businesses to grow and thrive.
“Today was all about having the opportunity to get together in a relaxed setting to recognise the difference such deals make in our region. I’d like to say a huge thanks to everyone who voted and I hope guests had a great afternoon.”
2018 WINNERS:
Small Cap Deal of the Year
MBO of Yorktest Laboratories, backed by Key Capital Partners.
Advisors: BDO, PwC, Strata, Addleshaw Goddard, DWF, Walker Morris.
International Deal of the Year
Proactis Holdings’ acquisition of Perfect Commerce.
Advisors: Finncap, KPMG, Travers Smith, Walker Morris, William Fry.
Public Markets Deal of the Year
Sumo Digital floated on AIM.
Advisors: Zeus Capital, Grant Thornton, Addleshaw Goddard, Eversheds Sutherland.
Rainmaker’s Dream Team
Financial Advisor: Rothschild
Accountant: KPMG
Funder: HSBC
Legal firm: Squire Patton Boggs
Private Equity: LDC
Deal of the Year
Value retailer B&M acquired Heron Food Group in a £152m deal.
Advisors: Deloitte, BofA Merrill Lynch, PwC, Gordons and Addleshaw Goddard.
Rainmaker of the Year
Stephen Griffiths, Rothschild.
