This award recognises the overall achievement of asset-based lenders in the calendar year of 2023. The award will be given to an ABL that can show evidence of winning new business, delivering innovative ABL structures and creative documentation, growing market share while maintaining credit quality and developing teams.

This award recognises the overall achievement of commercial due diligence advisers in the calendar year of 2023. The award will be given to the provider that can demonstrate how it is creating value for clients through the provision of high-quality analysis, genuine market insight and service, as well as the overall evolution of team and strategy. Deals worked on and growth of market share will also be taken into account.

This award recognises the overall achievement of corporate financiers advising on continental European deals in the calendar year of 2023. The award will be given to the firm that can demonstrate how it has provided strategic and technical support that has helped clients to win auctions in a competitive market and add genuine value on exit. Growth of market share, deals advised on and overall evolution of team and strategy will also be taken into account.

This award recognises the overall achievement of corporate financiers advising on UK deals in the calendar year of 2023. The award will be given to the firm that can demonstrate how it has provided strategic and technical support that has helped clients to win auctions in a competitive market and add genuine value on exit. Growth of market share, deals advised on and overall evolution of team and strategy will also be taken into account.

This award recognises the overall achievement of financial due diligence advisers in the calendar year of 2023. The award will be given to the adviser that can demonstrate how it has created a bespoke service that creates value for clients by providing unmatched insight into specific business issues or industry trends. Growth of market share, deals advised on and overall evolution of team and strategy will also be taken into account.

This award recognises the overall achievement of technology due diligence advisers in the calendar year of 2023. The award will be given to the adviser that can demonstrate how it has created a bespoke service that creates value for clients by providing unmatched insight into specific business issues or industry trends. Growth of market share, deals advised on and overall evolution of team and strategy will also be taken into account.

This award recognises the overall achievement of fund administrators in the calendar year of 2023. The award will be given to the fund administrator that can evidence how it has provided clients with fast, accurate reporting and analysis, and demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the rapidly changing regulatory environment. The award will also recognise fund administrators that have been able to use technology, AI and process automation to bring down costs for clients and speed up service delivery.

This award recognises the overall achievement of lending banks in the calendar year of 2023. The award will be given to the bank lender that can demonstrate how it has stood out from its peers in a competitive market, show examples of how it has been able to tailor its offer to meet client needs, and evidence a growing or meaningful market share of the European acquisition finance market while maintaining credit quality.

This award acknowledges the accomplishments of specialised lenders throughout the 2023 calendar year. The accolade will be given to the specialised lender that can effectively showcase its exceptional differentiation within a competitive market landscape. It should provide instances of how it adeptly customised its offerings to fulfil client requirements and substantiate a progressive or significant share of the European acquisition finance market.

This award recognises the overall achievement of pan-European legal advisers in the calendar year of 2023. The award will be given to the firm that is able to demonstrate how it has differentiated its offering and delivered value to clients through outstanding execution, commercial awareness and the capacity of its team to find creative solutions to problems. Growth of market share, deals advised on and overall evolution of team and strategy will also be taken into account.

Formerly Placement Agent of the Year

This award recognises the overall achievement of specialist fund advisers in the calendar year of 2023. The award will be given to the specialist fund adviser that has worked with clients to secure funding through outstanding execution, market insight, and close partnerships and understanding of LP networks, as well as the overall evolution of team and strategy. Growth of market share, managers advised and overall evolution of team and strategy will also be taken into account.

This award recognises the overall achievement of regional legal advisers in the calendar year of 2023. The award will be given to the firm that is able to demonstrate how it has differentiated its offering and delivered value to clients through outstanding execution, commercial awareness and the capacity of its team to find creative solutions to problems. Growth of market share, deals advised on and overall evolution of team and strategy will also be taken into account.

This award recognises the overall achievement of specialist advisers in the calendar year of 2023. The award will be given to the adviser that can demonstrate how it has created a bespoke service that creates value for clients by providing unmatched insight into specific business issues or industry trends. Growth of market share, deals advised on and overall evolution of team and strategy will also be taken into account.

This award recognises private equity deals involving a target company headquartered in Central and Eastern Europe that was exited in 2023.

This award recognises private equity deals involving a target company headquartered in Germany, Switzerland or Austria that was exited in 2023.

This award recognises private equity deals involving a target company headquartered in France and the Benelux region that was exited in 2023.

This award recognises private equity deals involving a target company headquartered in the Mediterranean region that was exited in 2023.

This award recognises private equity deals involving a target company headquartered in the Nordics that was exited in 2023.

This award recognises outstanding deals involving a target company headquartered in the UK in 2023 that had an EV of less than €25m on entry, and includes venture capital.

This award recognises outstanding deals involving a target company headquartered in the UK in 2023 in the lower mid-cap section of the market, which had an EV on entry between €25m and €100m.

This award recognises outstanding deals involving a target company headquartered in the UK in 2023 in the upper mid-cap section of the market, which had an EV on entry of more than €100m.

This award recognises the overall achievement of European special situations houses in the calendar year of 2023, reflecting success in fundraising, new deals and exits, as well as the overall evolution of the firm.

Formerly UK Mid-cap House of the Year (EV on entry of more than €25m)

This award recognises the overall achievement in the 2023 calendar year of European buyout houses in the mid-cap segment – those that typically target investments in businesses with an EV on entry of more than €25m. The award reflects success in fundraising, new deals and exits, as well as the overall evolution of the firm.

Formerly UK Small-cap House of the Year (EV on entry of less than €25m)

This award recognises the overall achievement in the 2023 calendar year of European buyout houses in the lower mid-cap segment – those that typically target investments in businesses with an EV on entry of less than €25m. The award reflects success in fundraising, new deals and exits, as well as the overall evolution of the firm.

This award recognises excellence in the private equity and venture capital communities with respect to companies that have made a real difference to improving D&I within their firm, at portfolio company level and in the wider investment community.

This award recognises a firm’s commitment to best practice in environmental, social and corporate governance for large-cap private equity firms. Judges will look at how ESG is integrated with the firm’s investment strategy, how ESG data is collected and how firms’ policies have stood out from those of their peers.

Formerly European Mid-Cap Private Equity Fund

This award has been created to recognise European funds that have delivered significant returns (funds will need to have been at least 50% realised). Judges will look at the fund’s overall performance, standout deals and its ability to deliver strong returns for its investors.

This award is designed to recognise a private equity investor for their outstanding contribution to their firm, LPs and portfolio companies. Judges will be looking for evidence of innovation, commercial acumen, efficient processes and testimonials from colleagues, clients and partners.

The Hall of Fame recognises the contribution of an individual to the private equity industry, including their representation of the industry to government, business and the public, their work in improving the fiscal and legal environment for the industry, and success in their own field. This is not a self-nomination award – the recipient is nominated by the Real Deals editorial team.

The Private Equity Hall of Fame recipient is nominated by the Real Deals editorial team and is not open for submissions.

ESG Champion of the Year – Large-Cap

ESG Champion of the Year – Upper Mid-Cap

ESG Champion of the Year – Mid-Cap