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news DEALS AWARDS2015 THAMES VALLEY


With entries closing on February 28, and the awards night planned for Thursday, April 23, the judging panel was set to meet to discuss nominations for the prestigious deals awards categories.


Unlike previous years, judges’ votes will help determine the final winner of both the Deal and Dealmaker categories.


Awards chairman David Murray said: “Following feedback, and to make the process even more bullet-proof, we have decided to allow a certain weighting for judges’ votes against keypad votes on the night.


“This should help avoid a situation where tactical voting by tables at the dinner itself skews the result. This has happened at least once with the Dealmaker vote, so we are keen to ensure that the judges,


Judges decide finalists


Judges were meeting this month to sift through entries for the 2015 Thames Valley Deals Awards – the biggest and best corporate finance event in the south


with their broad knowledge of the dealmaking scene in the past year, have their say in the final decision.”


Deals must be geographically relevant to the Thames Valley – either the target, acquirer, funder, law firm or adviser must be located in this region.


“Judges are not just looking at the size of the deal. They will take into account deal complexity, who led the deal, the mix of advisers and whether the deal was led and completed ‘on patch’, whether cross-border, completed to a tight timeframe, and a number of other criteria,” said Murray.


Table bookings should be secured as soon as possible. Contact Linda Morse.


Details: linda@elcot.co.uk www.dealsawards.co.uk


NEXT MONTH NEXT MONTH NEXT MONTH In the April issue of


The Business Magazine


Social Media Our technology focus this month is on social media and its usefulness in business. The case for B2C is proven, but is the jury still out for B2B? And if LinkedIn and Twitter are embraced by the corporate world and SMEs, have you considered how to fully exploit YouTube?


Commercial Property


Latest deals and availability on business parks and in city centres in the Thames Valley region


Security From keeping your business premises secure to keeping your online data safe


Focus on Oxford


To participate in these features email David Murray at david@elcot.co.uk or Dan Teuton at dan@elcot.co.uk


www.businessmag.co.uk CATEGORIES INCLUDE:


Management Team sponsored by PwC


Private Equity Firm sponsored by HMT LLP


Bank of the Year sponsored by BCMS Corporate Finance


Law Firm of the Year sponsored by Grant Thornton LLP


Lawyer of the Year sponsored by Taylor Made Computer Solutions


Corporate Finance Adviser sponsored by HSBC


Corporate Finance Team sponsored by Leumi ABL


Alternative Lender sponsored by Wilson Partners


Dealmaker of the Year sponsored by Pitmans LLP


Deal of the Year sponsored by UBS


Due Diligence Team sponsored by Shoosmiths


James Cowper rebrands


Thames Valley and South Coast accountants James Cowper has rebranded as James Cowper Kreston, adopting the Kreston global accountancy network name.


The rebrand took effect from February 2, 2015, and is part of the firm’s commitment to and demonstration of its international capabilities.


James Cowper has offices in Reading, Newbury, Oxford, Southampton, Henley, Harwell and London. The firm is one the primary UK accountancy firms on the Kreston global network that comprises 186 independent accountancy firms in 104 countries.


Robert Holland, managing partner at James Cowper, said: “The Kreston network is important to our firm and those clients with interests overseas. It ensures that our clients receive the same high level of service overseas as they would from our own offices. This rebrand is a solid demonstration of our international capabilities.


“We remain, however, completely committed to our markets in the Thames Valley and the South Coast, and those clients with interests at home will continue to receive the same strong and professional support they always have.”


Jon Lisby, Kreston’s chief executive officer, said: “This is a significant step-change to our profile in the UK. Entrepreneurial businesses in the SME and mid- market sectors increasingly need to access trusted international compliance and advisory services, and Kreston members worldwide are accustomed to working closely to provide quality, creative and seamless solutions. So, I am delighted that James Cowper is one of the first of our UK firms to join the increasing number of members who are choosing to adopt the global brand, as this is a further demonstration of the cohesion of the network’s global service.”


Details: www.jamescowper.co.uk THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MARCH 2015


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