Categories

Law Firm of the Year
This award is open to law firms active in the UK venture capital and private equity either in fund construction or transaction services which have demonstrated consistent excellence throughout the past 12 months (July 2007 – June 2008) not just on one particular deal. Key criteria the judges will be looking for include efficiency of execution, sector knowledge, advisory and negotiating skills, value-adding capability, vision and the overall development of the business.

Corporate Financier of the Year sponsored by

This award is open to all investment bankers, accountants, corporate finance houses and other specialist financial advisers involved in the asset class. The award criteria focus on creativity and market leadership in deal origination as well as skill and innovation in deal structuring and execution throughout the past 12 months. Strategic vision and the overall development of the business will also be taken into an account.

Due Diligence Specialist of the Year
This award is open to UK-based firms across all disciplines (excluding corporate finance, lawyers and fund placement) that serve the private equity industry such as environmental, technical or market due diligence specialists. It recognizes professionalism, thought-leadership and the ability to consistently add value throughout the year. Strategic vision and the overall development of the business will also be taken into an account by the judging panel. It is not awarded for the firm’s work on one particular transaction but for the whole of the 12 months under consideration.

Placement team of the Year
This award is open to UK-based placement firms that serve private equity houses. It recognizes professionalism, thought-leadership and the ability to consistently add value throughout the year. Strategic vision and the overall development of the business will also be taken into an account by the judging panel. It is not awarded for the firm’s work on one particular fund or GP but for the whole of the 12 months under consideration.

Debt Provider of the Year
This award is open to banks and acknowledges the consistent skill of tailoring debt packages for private equity-backed buyouts throughout the year. The judges will be looking for the very highest standards of professionalism, innovation and the ability to consistently add value to private equity transactions. Strategic vision and the overall development of the business will also be taken into an account by the judging panel. It is not awarded for the bank’s work on one particular transaction but for the whole of the 12 months under consideration.

Alternative Debt Provider of the Year
This category is open to all types of alternative lenders (particularly subordinated debt products) and acknowledges professionalism, innovation, and the ability to consistently add value throughout the past 12 months. Strategic vision and the overall development of the business will also be taken into an account by the judging panel.

Venture Capital Trust Manager of the Year
This category is open to all venture capital trust managers across the UK. It recognizes leadership in the VCT sector through a combination of successful fundraising, deal origination, execution, portfolio management and exits. Strategic vision and the overall development of the business will also be taken into an account by the judging panel. It is not awarded for the firm’s work on one particular transaction but for the whole of the 12 months under consideration.

Venture Capital House of the Year
This category is open to all venture capital firms across the UK. It recognizes leadership in the venture capital sector through a combination of successful deal origination, execution, portfolio management and exits. Strategic vision and the overall development of the business will also be taken into an account by the judging panel. It is not awarded for the firm’s work on one particular transaction but for the whole of the 12 months under consideration.

Small Buyout House of the Year sponsored by
This award is open to all buyout houses operating in the UK smaller mid-market (deals up to £50m enterprise value). It recognizes clear leadership in this segment of the market through successful deal origination, execution, portfolio management and exits. Strategic vision and the overall development of the business will also be taken into an account by the judging panel. It is not awarded for the firm’s work on one particular transaction but for consistently high standards during the whole of the 12 months under consideration.

Mid-market Buyout House of the Year sponsored by
This award is open to all buyout houses in the UK mid-market (deals from £5 0-500m). It recognizes clear leadership in this segment of the market through successful deal origination, execution, portfolio management and exits. Strategic vision and the overall development of the business will also be taken into an account by the judging panel. It is not awarded for the firm’s work on one particular transaction but for consistently high standards during the whole of the 12 months under consideration.

Large Buyout House of the Year
This award is open to all large buyout houses (deals over £500m) operating in the UK and recognizes clear leadership in this particular segment. The winning group will have demonstrated excellence across all stages of the investment cycle from deal origination and execution to proactive portfolio management and exits. It is not awarded for the firm’s work on one particular transaction but for consistently high standards during the whole of the 12 months under consideration.

Fundraising of the Year
This award is presented to any UK-based GP which the judges recognize as having demonstrated the very highest levels of skill, professionalism and innovation throughout the fundraising process during the past 12 months. The judging panel will be looking at groups which have set the standard in raising funds from institutional investors. Particular focus will be attached to efficient marketing and road-showing, innovative product offerings and peer group outperformance. While the speed of the fundraising process will be taken into consideration, large funds will not necessarily take precedence over smaller vehicles. Combined entries from placement teams and general partners will be also encouraged.