THE PRIVATE EQUITY AWARDS 2017
More than 700 people attended the Private Equity Awards 2017 in London’s Hilton Park Lane Hotel on Wednesday 19th April to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the private equity community over the past year.
The glittering event, which was organised by Real Deals magazine, was once again sponsored by Drax Executive. We believe that it is really important to acknowledge the vital role that the private equity sector plays in underpinning the growth of the UK economy.
The evening was hosted by broadcaster and author Gyles Brandreth, who brought wit and humour to the proceedings while also demonstrating a real understanding of the private equity sector and the value and benefits it can bring to society. Describing the industry as ‘the bedrock of our society’, he told the audience that no matter what else is going on in the wider world, it is important to be resilient and ‘carry on regardless.’
A total of 29 awards were presented, including a brand new award for this year, awarded to the best Portfolio Management Team of the Tear. Four of the awards were presented by Drax Partner James Fassnidge.
Above all, the Private Equity Awards evening reminded everyone that while the industry faces some real challenges over the next couple of years, as the number of exits fall and the market becomes increasingly competitive, these challenges also represent fantastic opportunities to excel. We very much look forward to next year’s event.
The winners of the awards were:
Specialist lender of the year: Hayfin Capital Management
Bank of the year: HSBC
Asset-based lender of the year: Royal Bank of Scotland
Specialist adviser of the year: GK Strategy
Placement agent of the year: Campbell Lutyens
Fund administrator of the year: IPES
Regional/Specialist legal Adviser of the year: Addleshaw Goddard
Pan-European legal adviser of the year: Weil
UK corporate finance house of the year: Baird
European corporate finance house of the year: Rothschild & Co
DACH deal of the year – large: EQT for EEW Energy from Waste
DACH deal of the year – small and mid-cap: Deutsche Beteiligungs AG for Broetje-Automation
France and Benelux deal of the year: 21 Centrale Partners for Digital Virgo
Emerging Europe deal of the year: Enterprise Investors for Profi Rom Food
Nordic deal of the year: H.I.G. Europe for Zmarta Group
Mediterranean deal of the year: The Riverside Company for MEC3
UK small deal of the year: YFM Equity Partners for GO Outdoors
UK mid-cap deal of the year: Primary Capital for Leisure Pass Group
UK large deal of the year: CVC Capital Partners for Formula One
Grand Prix deal of the year: CVC Capital Partners for Formula One
UK House of the year: Livingbridge
Continental Regional house of the year: Deutsche Beteiligungs AG
Pan-European house of the year: Cinven
Global house of the year: Advent International
Turnaround house of the year: Endless
Portfolio Management team of the year: ECI Partners
Corporate citizenship award: FSN Capital
Grand Prix house of the year: Advent International
Private Equity hall of fame: Xavier Moreno
James Fassnidge, Partner at Drax Executive, presents the Grand Prix Deal of the Year award to CVC Capital Partners
James Fassnidge presents the UK House of the Year award to Livingbridge
James Fassnidge presents the Portfolio Management team of the year award to ECI Partners
James Fassnidge presents the Private Equity Hall of Fame award to Xavier Moreno
Drax’s welcome introduction to the awards booklet