corporate finance roundup 33
BCMS honoured at international awards
A £14.5 million tech deal led by BCMS, the Kingsclere-based M&A adviser secured a prestigious Corporate and Strategic Acquisition accolade.
Along with JP Morgan, PwC and Allen & Overy, BCMS was among the leading advisers honoured at the inaugural International Financial Forum 2014 Dealmakers’ awards, hosted at Bloomberg’s London HQ in October.
The BCMS-led sale of Compass Computer Consultants, which sold for £14.5m to Advanced Computer Software Group plc, was awarded the title of Corporate and Strategic Acquisition of the Year (under $1b). BCMS acted as lead adviser to the vendors, including the preparation for sale, identifying strategic buyers, and negotiating the final transaction value and the structure of the deal.
Other advisers nominated within the same category included PwC, Stella Capital Advisors, CMS Hasche Sigle, KPMG, Olswang, and BNP Paribas.
BCMS also received nominations in two other award categories: Technology, Media, Telecom Deal of the Year (under $100m), and M&A Deal of the Year (between $10m to $100m).
BCMS operations team manager Geoff Pinder commented: “To receive recognition in this award category is particularly satisfying, because BCMS has built its reputation on its capability to find the best buyer for our vendor clients. We know if we identify the best buyer with strong clear strategic motives to acquire, that the outcome is usually
optimised for seller and buyer. The Compass sale epitomises our approach.“
Established in 2000, the Dealmaker’s Awards have to date focused on North American M&A transactions and dealmakers. This year, the organisers, in partnership with Bloomberg, and Foreign Affairs magazine, produced the London event to recognise the very best UK and European dealmaking talent. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the M&A industry. “Sir Martin Sorrell has and continues to set the bar for M&A professionals worldwide,“ said David Fergusson,
co-chief executive officer and president at The M&A Advisor.
The awards event followed a day of lectures on mergers and acquisitions by a faculty of over 40 leading stalwarts to a delegate audience of over 300 influential international dealmakers, academics, media, and policy makers on the key issues facing finance markets today.
The M&A Advisor award has highlighted BCMS’ strong track record in the sale of technology companies, and the firm has identified a significant uplift in activity over the course of 2014.
The sale of Compass Computer Consultants is just one of a number of high-profile tech deals completed by BCMS. Other technology transactions managed by the Kingsclere adviser this year include the sale of leading online classified site
Preloved.co.uk to the Hut Group, and the £3m plus sale of Indigo 4 Systems to EMIS Group.
BCMS’ Geoff Pinder (left) with project manager Scott Mason Pitmans continues along acquisition trail
Regional legal heavyweight Pitmans LLP has acquired Manchester-based Smithsons Solicitors, bringing Andrew Smithson into the growing fold of the UK’s top-90 law firm.
Smithson set up the practice at Manchester Science Park in 2001. The practice has been best known to clients in the biotech, manufacturing, sport and leisure, renewable energy, data protection and hospitality sectors. Specialising in company/commercial work, Smithson also advises clients on
collaborative agreements, intellectual property work and licensing agreements.
On joining Pitmans, Smithson commented: “I’m delighted to be joining such an established and successful team. Pitmans is highly regarded by the legal directories across a broad and impressive array of specialisms. I’ll be based in London in order to service my clients there directly from the City base. I will continue to live and advise clients in the North West to generate business to support Pitmans’ continued growth.“
Managing partner Christopher Avery said: “We’re pleased that someone of Andrew’s extensive skills is joining our dynamic and ever-growing London practice.
“We believe he offers considerable expertise which will be of interest and benefit to our existing clients while opening the door to further enhance and strengthen our offering to the business community. This acquisition highlights our desire to become a leading provider in the sector.“
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – DECEMBER 14/JANUARY 15
www.businessmag.co.uk
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