2020 Winners

Lender of the Year: Bank

This award recognises the overall achievement of banks and specialist lenders in the calendar year of 2019. The award will be given to the bank/specialist 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

Winner: Investec Bank

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Lender of the Year: Fund

This award recognises the overall achievement of banks and specialist lenders in the calendar year of 2019. The award will be given to the bank/specialist 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

Winner: Ares Management

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Asset-Based Lender of the Year

This award recognises the overall achievement of asset-based lenders in the calendar year of 2019. 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.

Winner: ABN AMRO Commercial Finance

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Specialist Adviser of the Year

This award recognises the overall achievement of specialist advisers in the calendar year of 2019. The award will be given to the adviser that can demonstrate how it has created a bespoke service that either brings down costs or 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.

Winner: Palladium Digital Group

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Placement Agent of the Year

This award recognises the overall achievement of placement agents in the calendar year of 2019. The award will be given to the placement agent that can demonstrate how it 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.

Winner: Campbell Lutyens

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Fund Administrator of the Year

This award recognises the overall achievement of fund administrators in the calendar year of 2019. 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.

Winner: Aztec Group

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Regional Legal Adviser of the Year

This award recognises the overall achievement of regional legal advisers in the calendar year of 2019. The award will be given to the firm that is able to demonstrate how it has differentiated its offer 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.

Winner: Foot Anstey

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Pan-European Legal Adviser of the Year

This award recognises the overall achievement of pan-European legal advisers in the calendar year of 2019. The award will be given to the firm that is able to demonstrate how it has differentiated its offer 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.

Winner: Latham & Watkins

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UK Corporate Finance House of the Year

This award recognises the overall achievement of corporate financiers advising on UK deals in the calendar year of 2019. 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.

Winner: Rothschild & Co

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European Corporate Finance House of the Year

This award recognises the overall achievement of corporate financiers advising on continental European deals in the calendar year of 2019. 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.

Winner: Arma Partners

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Commercial Due Diligence Provider of the Year

This award recognises the overall achievement of commercial due diligence advisers in the calendar year of 2019. 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.

Winner: CIL Management Consultants

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Central and Eastern European Deal of the Year

This award recognises private equity deals involving a target company headquartered in central and eastern Europe which was exited in 2019.

Winner: LitCapital for Baltik Vairas

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Germany, Austria and Switzerland Deal of the Year

This award recognises private equity deals involving a target company headquartered in Germany, Switzerland or Austria which was exited in 2019.

Winner: AnaCap Financial Partners for heidelpay

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France and Benelux Deal of the Year

This award recognises private equity deals involving a target company headquartered in France and the Benelux which was exited in 2019.

Winner: AURELIUS Equity Opportunities for Solidus Solutions

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Mediterranean Deal of the Year

This award recognises private equity deals involving a target company headquartered in the Mediterranean which was exited in 2019.

Winner: Charme Capital Partners for ATOP

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Nordic Deal of the Year

This award recognises private equity deals involving a target company headquartered in Nordics which was exited in 2019.

Winner: EQT for AutoStore

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UK Mid-cap Deal of the year (EV on entry of less than €200m)

This award recognises private equity deals involving a target company headquartered in the UK which was exited in 2019, with an entry EV of €25m-€200m.

Winner: Livingbridge for Sykes Holiday Cottages

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UK Large Deal of the Year (EV on entry €200m+)

This award recognises private equity deals involving a target company headquartered in the UK which was exited in 2019, with an entry EV of over €200m.

Winner: KKR for Trainline

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UK House of the Year

This award recognises the overall achievement of UK buyout houses in the calendar year of 2019 , reflecting success in fundraising, new deals and exits, as well as the overall evolution of the firm.

Winner: Synova Capital

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Continental Regional House of the Year

This award recognises the overall achievement of buyout houses focused on a particular region of the Continental market in the calendar year of 2019, reflecting success in fundraising, new deals and exits, as well as the overall evolution of the firm.

Winner: Summa Equity

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Pan-European House of the Year

This award recognises the overall achievement of Pan-European buyout houses in the calendar year of 2020, reflecting success in fundraising, new deals and exits, as well as the overall evolution of the firm.

Winner: Waterland Private Equity

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Global House of the Year

This award recognises the overall achievement of Global buyout houses in the calendar year of 2019 reflecting success in fundraising, new deals and exits, as well as the overall evolution of the firm.

Winner: CVC Capital Partners

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Special Situations House of the Year

This award recognises the overall achievement of European Special Situations Houses in the calendar year of 2019 , reflecting success in fundraising, new deals and exits, as well as the overall evolution of the firm.

Winner: AURELIUS Equity Opportunities

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Co-investor of the Year

The co-investor of the year award recognises excellence in the LP community with respect to building manager relationships, deal selection and creating value alongside sponsors through co-investment.

Winner: HarbourVest

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Environmental, Social and Governance

This award recognises a firm’s commitment to best practice in environmental, social and corporate governance. The shortlist was collated following nominations from a specialist LP judging panel.

Winner: Ambienta

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Private Equity Hall of Fame

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.

Winner: Dominique Senequier, Ardian