BANK OF THE YEAR Sponsored by:
Winner: HSBC
Shortlisted for this much-prized title were three mainstream banks: HSBC, RBS, and Santander.
This category had a new sponsor this year in BCMS, the world’s number one sell-side advisor by deal volume. The big question was would it have a new winner?
After all, HSBC was the reigning Thames Valley Deals Awards ‘Bank of the Year’ and had held the title for six of the past seven years.
Last year Santander had been awarded an Outstanding Performance judges’ accreditation. RBS had also been nominated in 2014. The competition was once again tense, and the result keenly awaited.
HSBC had produced ‘an exceptional year’, according to submissions. The extensive scope and scale of deals included Amec plc, Asteral, Autodata, Clifford Thames, DX Group plc IPO, Game Digital plc IPO, HSS Hire, Kerridge, Micro Focus plc, Microlease, United Biscuits and many more.
RBS Thames Valley Corporate debt-funded the MBO of Cobham-based EPI Group; the Bargate Homes/Prowting deal; and Banbury-based John Nicholls’ acquisition of J&Bs plumbing supplies business. In addition, RBS played a key part in funding Reading-based Micro Focus’ acquisition of private-equity backed Attachmate and was a key member of a group of eight banks in the Cape plc refinance package.
The Thames Valley corporate office of Santander lent over £200m to businesses across the region and grew its market share through the qualifying period. Now ‘competing with the Top Four’, Santander’s deals ranged from Cooper Callas, to The Light’s acquisition of Cambridge Cineworld.
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MAY 2015
Andy Hunt, commercial director of category sponsors BCMS, went on stage to present the Bank of the Year award trophy.
He announced that the Deals Awards judges felt “there was one outstanding contender, a bank that has funded many headline deals in the year, and remains the most active in the region”. They had not hesitated in making it a ‘seventh heaven’ title for HSBC.
Nominations for HSBC to win the ‘Bank of the Year’ title included one which noted its efficient and friendly relationship team, approval speed, competitive pricing, reputation for supporting growing businesses, and its “stand out” international offering.
Later, Jon Stradling, HSBC regional managing director, large corporates, south region, revealed that his talented team was ‘firing on all cylinders’ with a continuity and confidence about it: “The Thames Valley remains from a transactional perspective a very dynamic region and across the ownership, asset, and inward investment classes there is a lot going on. That’s why we have big teams now, based predominantly in Reading, covering all those areas, and why we have continued to invest in our business support going forward.
“We are naturally delighted to win for the seventh time. Fundamentally, HSBC believes in the regional model across the public and private company and PE space. We have had another decent 12 months and that has been recognised tonight through the support of the legal, accountancy and advisory community and a number of nominations from our clients. It’s a great accolade for our team, and is testimony to what we are doing in the region.”
www.businessmag.co.uk
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