DEALS AWARDS 2017


THAMES VALLEY


Private Equity Firm of the Year WINNER: LDC


Presenter Bill Turnbull began the TVDA proceedings by announcing the first category’s five shortlisted finalists:


• Connection Capital, • LDC • Maven Capital Partners • Mobeus Equity Partners • NVM Private Equity


As sponsor, HMT partner Paul Read presented the winner’s trophy to LDC, the judges’ “standout investor in the region” and now claiming the ‘PE Firm of the Year’ title for the fourth year in a row.


Winning achievements


LDC’s Reading-based team has a portfolio worth £460 million, which supports over 3,500 jobs in the south. During the qualifying period, LDC’s six-


strong team injected capital of over £55m in its headline deals.


Its Thames Valley office invested in leading hair and beauty brand, Rush Hair, and Oxfordshire-based ByBox. The sale of ByBox to LDC in August was a landmark transaction in the technology-driven business services sector. LDC also backed the MBO of HR software provider CIPHR and completed the sale of Property Software Group.


LDC’s reaction to its TVDA success


After collecting the award trophy with his LDC colleagues for the second year running, a delighted Yann Souillard, managing director of the Reading office, explained how its success has been sustained: “Our team has


remained very strong, but this year we have spent more time creating and building on our local relationships, and we are trying to do that all the time. At the end of the day, our success depends on the local professional services advisers and business community trusting us with their deals.”


Alternative Lender of the Year WINNER: Leumi ABL


This award for alternative finance encompasses asset- based lending, invoice finance, crowdfunding and other innovative methods.


The four shortlisted firms for 2017 were:


• IGF Business Credit • Leumi ABL • PNC Business Credit • Santander (Breakthrough)


Adam Wardle, head of corporate finance at TVDA sponsors Wilson Partners, announced the winner as “a strong supporter of the Thames Valley who through its support of MBOs and acquisitions, helps get deals across the finish line.”


Leumi’s lending speciality is asset-based products


Notable deals in a busy year included finance for the MBO


16 businessmag.co.uk


of Banbury-based printers Henry Stone; for the MBO of Wheatons acquired by Reading-based Thames Valley Capital and its local management; and acquisition of six businesses from the administrator of Caparo Industries by Liberty House Group.


Leumi ABL has previously won this award in 2014 and 2016.


A consistent performer


Consistency was the key to success for Leumi ABL this year, said Thames Valley and South regional sales director Jonathan Hughes


“We have had the same team for a number of years, with very few leavers, but we’ve had several joiners as we have grown. The business is stable and consistent, the credit policy


is consistent and we know what we can deliver.


“This year we have tended to have more transactions involving private equity rather than refinancings – although we do both – but that’s more a feature of the market really.


“Our south central area is very active within a benign economic environment.


“Exporters currently have an advantage following currency changes since Brexit; importers are seeing head winds; business rates are an issue. There will always be opportunities for business here, but there will be change.”


No doubt, Leumi will remain a constant – consistently keen and willing to help.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MAY 2017


So, it’s about being more synergistic with dealmakers and aspiring businesses in the area?


“Yes totally. Our goal is to bring business here, do business with the people who are based here, and make sure we keep it here, otherwise we would be just like any other London private equity house.”


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