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CORPORATE FINANCE ADVISER OF THE YEAR AWARD
SPONSORED BY HSBC WINNER HMT’S PETER BARRAND
Above: Peter Barrand
Left: Barrand (centre) with Mark Haines (right) and Mark Durden-Smith
Two of the top three names shortlisted for Corporate Finance Adviser of the Year, sponsored by HSBC, returned to the stage for the second year running.
Peter Barrand from HMT and Duncan Lamb from Grant Thornton, were both pipped at the post in 2010 by Simon Davies, and each was keen to demonstrate that in 2011 they would be worthy winners.
Giving them a run for their money was Deloitte’s Ian Barton who, as head of corporate finance advisory at Deloitte’s Thames Valley office, has a well-earned reputation for success.
In the end however, it was Barrand who triumphed on the night, and was presented with the trophy by Mark Haines, HSBC’s head of Corporate Banking Thames Valley.
Barrand was recognised in particular for his work on one of the region’s most high profile deals over the past 12 months – the brightsolid acquisition of Friends Reunited.
The online technology arm of DC Thomson, brightsolid is now a leading player in the online family history market,
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – MAY 2011
and HMT won the advisory mandate after a competitive pitch process, with Barrand drawing on his experience of having advised the exiting shareholders of brightsolid’s previous acquisition
findmypast.com.
Nominations for the award said Barrand’s “tactics, teamwork and knowledge of the sector had been crucial“ in the success of the deal, which saw brightsolid pay £25 million to ITV, who had previously bought Friends Reunited for £170m.
Barrand was also commended for his work on the acquisition by Somerset company Gooch & Housego of EM4 Inc, a US manufacturer of fibre optics components for the aerospace and defence market.
Judges were told that his experience in the sector and on US transactions was invaluable in helping HMT win the business.
Barrand commented: “I am delighted to have won this award, the last 12 months has seen some great deals for HMT and we are hopeful of more success in the next year.“
Lamb had been nominated in the category for his work on advising the
www.businessmag.co.uk
MBO team in the Kerridge Commercial Systems deal and also for completing the disposal/MBI of the Guralp Systems deal.
According to one nomination, Lamb is regarded by his peers as being “a strong generator of new deal opportunities“ and one nominee said: “He has great energy and enthusiasm and plays a key role in assisting the legal advisers to drive deals to a successful completion.“
Barton received numerous nominations, not least for his work leading the sale of XLN Telecom for a £78m price tag, which was heralded as “achieving an excellent result“ and also saw him nominated in the Dealmaker of the Year category later on in the evening.
Other deals he was involved in during the year included TUI Travel’s disposal of Thomson Al Fresco, the European self- catering mobile home operator to Homair Vacances of France, and the sale of The Gadget Shop business to WH Smith.
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