Law Firm of the Year WINNER: Shoosmiths


This award acknowledged the skilled work behind the scenes to assure the legal aspects of corporate transactions.


There were four firms shortlisted: • Osborne Clarke • Penningtons Manches • Pitmans • Shoosmiths


Highlights of an outstanding year


Listed as the number one firm in the South East by deal volume, Shoosmiths advised on high-profile deals in the Thames Valley including NVM’s investment in Channel Mum, LDC’s acquisitions of ByBox and Rush Hair, and BGF’s investments in MyLifeDigital and Satellite Solutions Worldwide.


Wendy Hart, corporate finance


partner of category sponsors Grant Thornton, was on stage to announce the winner and present the trophy.


Relationship and reputation building


Emma Gibson, head of Shoosmiths corporate group in its Thames Valley office, revealed afterwards: “I think this year has been the culmination of a lot of hard work that has gone into building our relationships within the market and our own reputation by continually, again and again and again, doing really good work for really good people and aiming not just to receive and complete instructions but to generate instructions.”


Shoosmiths scope of work also broadened during last year, added Gibson, not least by the


sponsored by:


summer recruitment of Rachel Tuner who specialises in the venture capital market. Gibson tends to specialise in the private equity sector.


“We are also sponsoring initiatives like the Henley Business Angels (HBA)* launched last autumn, embedding ourselves within the local business community and looking to work with those high-growth


companies that everyone is looking for.”


* Gibson is chairman of HBA, an investor network based at the University of Reading, which aims to support businesses started by entrepreneurs – either UoR graduates, or those connected with the university, including the Henley Business School.


Corporate Finance Adviser of the Year sponsored by:


WINNER: Clive Hatchard of Spectrum CF


This prestigious personal award for Thames Valley corporate finance individuals saw some familiar names from the local dealmaking community among the four shortlisted finalists


Contesting the prized title were the joint MDs of Spectrum:


• Simon Davies and


• Clive Hatchard up against


• Andrew Thomson of HMT


• Adam Wardle of Wilson Partners


In the judges’ view


Representing category sponsor Gateley plc, Christopher Avery, lead Thames Valley partner at Gateley’s office in Reading, announced the winner as “one of the most experienced


advisers in the region, and someone who led a good number of deals throughout the year, including some stand-out transactions.”


Lucky 13 for Clive Hatchard


Hatchard successfully structured and led 13 deals in the qualifying period, with a total value of some £250 million. Notable deals included the sales of Abritas, MTI Europe, Finders Keepers and Leisure Pass Group; investment by LDC into Rush; disposal of Welcome Furniture; and investment by Livingbridge into Thomas J Fudge.


A modest acceptance


Hatchard commented: “It’s never a personal thing when you win these awards. It’s always about the team that helped you do it. I led a lot of deals, but didn’t do those


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MAY 2017


on my own. It’s nice to be recognised though.”


He viewed the TVDA corporate finance team award, previously gained during the evening, as “the big one” for Spectrum. “It’s nice to cement that with my award. I’m not sure many firms have won team and individual.”


Hatchard accepted he’d led more deals than normal last


year but explained: “Deals fire at different times. The great thing about partnerships is you have other partners to cushion the good and bad times.”


Despite his new award- winning recognition, he added: “The reality is I’ve been in the industry for 27 years, so everybody who needs to know me, knows me.”


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