BANK OF THE YEAR Sponsored by:


Winner: HSBC


Money-men provide the lifeblood of dealmaking and the Solent Deals ‘Bank of the Year' title is a much-prized accolade.


Three well-known names in banking were displayed on giant screens; HSBC, Natwest and Santander.


HSBC funded deals and the growth of Solent companies across the spectrum, and continues to be the most active bank for corporate finance transactions – from the Meggitt acquisitions of Cobham's composites business and EDAC, and the public-to-private Innovation Group deal, to the MBOs of Lakesmere and Airsys Communications.


In addition to numerous bank, vendor and trade-funded deals, NatWest's Solent-based teams completed 10 PE-backed transactions, with total debt in excess of £150 million and aggregate deal sizes north of £1.2 billion. Deal support has been provided to Farrow and Ball, Scott Dunn, Clearwater, BOFA, Diametric, Liberty Leasing, Hildon Water, and Harbour Hotels.


Santander supported Solent-based Home Grown Hotels including acquisition funding and renovation costs at a new hotel property; provided debt for Mortgages Made Easy's acquisition of Contractor Financials; and has been active in the South Coast market through its Breakthrough campaign, helping ambitious businesses to grow.


Andy Hunt director of category sponsors BCMS Corporate, market leaders in the sale of privately-owned companies, was invited to announce the winner.


It was revealed that according to the category citations received this year, the judges considered the award-winner as “currently the most responsive in the region”.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH COAST – JULY/AUGUST 2016 Andy Hunt named that bank as HSBC.


Jon Stradling, HSBC regional managing director, large corporates, south region, and Anthony Reed, HSBC area director, corporate banking, Hampshire & Solent, came to the stage to be presented with the trophy.


Stradling said: “We are delighted to be recognised as the Solent ‘Bank of the Year', which HSBC has now won in eight of the past nine years. The accolade is in addition to the Thames Valley regional award given to HSBC earlier this year, highlighting the quality of our team and the services HSBC offers to businesses across the south.”


HSBC was well featured as assisting many of the Solent shortlisted finalists on the night, he noted.


“HSBC is a fundamental believer in regions like Solent, a dynamic place to do business.”


Stradling felt this HSBC investment culture of closely involving local presence, evaluation and decision-making gave the bank a market advantage.


“In the past 18 months HSBC has increased its investment across the Solent region to ensure local businesses are able to capitalise on the opportunities available.


“Through our increased presence, coupled with the strength of our team, we've been able to support the growth of these businesses through a number of high-profile deals.”


businessmag.co.uk


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