'Globally, 2015 was the best ever year for M&A. Total deal values in the UK were up 20% – the past year has been a big, big year for dealmaking,' said David Murray, publisher of The Business Magazine


The major south coast corporate finance event of the year


And, with a record 600-plus nominations, the Deals Awards reflect once again the vibrancy of the Solent business dealmaking environment, stated Murray as he welcomed 300 guests to the gala evening at St. Mary's Stadium in Southampton.


“The Solent Deals Awards, of course, are all about flying the flag for the South Coast's professional community – about showing that the corporate finance community here ‘on patch' has all the expertise necessary to get the job done,” he added.


Murray was quick to thank the Deals Awards sponsors for their much-valued support – BCMS, CMA Recruitment, Coffin Mew, HSBC, Irwin Mitchell, Meridian Corporate Finance, Moore Blatch, PwC, SGPG Hambros, and UBS.


“Thank you also to those individuals who completed nomination forms. Without your efforts, we wouldn't have such a strong competition.”


And, he paid tribute to the Deals Awards judges. “Deciding on shortlists and winners was a tough call for the judges this year.


Murray also announced, with a revamp of some of the categories for next year.


“In line with what we've proposed for the Thames Valley Deals Awards, we will have changes for next year – including merging the CF Adviser and Dealmaker categories into one and then having a Young Adviser category to attract those rising stars, under 35. We also plan a deal category for the smallest deals, up to £10 million value, and for the very largest over £50m.


“Let's see how the entries fall next year – but we want to ensure that this competition embraces all deal sizes and as many advisers and funders as possible.”


Then, in true Top Gear television style, Murray introduced a special guest presenter: “Some say...he was the world's unluckiest F1 racer, but that he was also one of the fastest British drivers on track in the 1990s....


“More recently, he has hung up his overalls, donned a dinner jacket and is now a corporate ambassador and speaker around the world . . . he is the original Stig from Top Gear – Perry McCarthy.”


By tradition, one known ‘winner' during the evening was the event's chosen charity – Brain Tumour Research – which had its funds boosted by £1,919 through table collections from the corporate finance community representatives attending.


Awards were presented throughout the evening, with the audience of professional peers using table keypads to vote for three prestigious award-winners – Dealmaker of the Year, and two Deal of the Year categories.


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