DEALS AWARDS 2017


THAMES VALLEY


Bank of the Year WINNER: HSBC


The finalists for this title were: • Barclays • HSBC • RBS NatWest • Santander


A pre-eminent winner


Bob Alsop, corporate finance partner of category sponsors Crowe Clark Whitehill, announced that the Deals Awards judges felt “there could only be one winner, the pre-eminent bank for deals and the most active in the region – HSBC”.


Billions that back Thames Valley deals


Based on volume and value of deals, HSBC is the busiest bank for acquisition finance and growth funding in the region. HSBC’s landmark deals


during the assessment period included providing £5.5 billion to support Micro Focus’s acquisition of HP’s software business; £1.7b provided to Amec Foster Wheeler; finance to support numerous MBOs; plus refinancings from Pret A Manger to Halma


Another successful year


Celebrating retention of the Bank of the Year title, HSBC’s Jon Stradling, MD, large corporates explained the continuing success of the Reading-based team: “We have a high performing and experienced team of professionals that has been supplemented with some really good hires from the broader banking and corporate market in recent years. Alongside


this, we have a clear strategy and seek to support clients at every stage of their life-cycle, whether they are a small private business looking to complete its first big transaction or an established FTSE 100 company.


“Importantly, we are embedded within the dynamic Thames Valley region giving us insight into the challenges and


opportunities that exist for our clients and ensuring we are able to provide the appropriate solution for their requirements.”


And the winning difference? “Our people, and the trusted relationships that we have gained over many years in the marketplace, with our local professional adviser community and, of course, with our clients.”


sponsored by:


Young Dealmaker of the Year WINNER: Chris Baker of LDC


Open to dealmakers below the age of 35.


What makes a dealmaker?


In the judges’ determination, a dealmaker may come from various professional services sectors, but that individual must have either originated a deal or been a leader in getting the transaction through to completion.


The five excellent contenders were:


• Chris Baker of LDC • Rinesh Dookhee of Deloitte • James Mines of Spectrum CF


• Stuart Williams of James Cowper Kreston


• David Wrench of Grant Thornton


20 businessmag.co.uk


Jim Eatwell, senior partner at Herrington Carmichael announced the winner as “someone experienced, despite being young, in sourcing and completing transactions up to £100 million equity … and someone who until a couple of years ago competed in football at non-league level across the south of England.”


He added: “The judging panel found it hard to pick between these submissions, highlighting the excellent younger talent coming through – which is great for the Thames Valley deals scene for years to come.”


The winner


Chris Baker joined LDC in early 2015 after 10 years with Grant Thornton’s corporate finance team. He also has experience


working as a finance director for SMEs. Baker has completed LDC investments in Rush, BOFA International and CIPHR, where he has joined the boards as an NED. He also sits on Equiom’s board.


Speaking from the stage after receiving his award Baker commented on the new award’s


relevance: “I believe I met four of tonight’s five finalists, here at the 2008 TVDAs. I think it says something that nine years down the line they are still working here, committed to the Thames Valley. And together, all us five in this category, are working on transactions, building careers. That’s fantastic actually, everyone wins.”


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MAY 2017


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