The Rainmaker Awards 2022 will once again honor the accomplishments of the corporate finance community in the North West region. This highly anticipated event acknowledges outstanding individuals, teams, and deals within the industry. What sets these awards apart is that the nominees and winners are selected by the community itself.
The selection process involves a judging day where over 30 esteemed professionals decide on the shortlist. Subsequently, the winners are determined through voting, with each firm receiving one vote. This unique approach ensures that the awards truly reflect the community’s opinion and the achievements that deserve recognition.
Shelina Begum, the North West editor, expressed the significance of The Rainmaker Awards, stating that it has become a must-attend event for the region’s corporate finance community. She noted that the North West deals community has remained highly active, with successful transactions taking place across various sectors, including technology, manufacturing, and industrials. The awards serve as a representation of the region’s thriving and innovative professional community.
The Rainmaker Awards ceremony brings together 300 professionals from the deals community for an evening of relaxed networking. This year, the event will be held on June 30, 2022, at The Midland. Tickets are already on sale, and those interested in attending are encouraged to book early.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the notable achievements that caught the attention of the corporate finance community this year:
Companies and Private Equity Deals:
– Arete made a significant investment in the education digital platform Vivify.
– Fintech business BankiFi secured £2.2m in funding from Praetura Ventures and GMCA.
– US-based Angstrom acquired Connect 2 Cleanrooms.
– Apprentify acquired Netcom Training, backed by a £5m investment from BGF.
– APEM made their second acquisition in seven months by purchasing Irish business AQUAFACT.
Private Company Deals:
– LDC acquired a minority stake in healthcare specialist PAM.
– AI company Peak raised an impressive $75m in Series C funding.
– Matillion secured $150m in a funding round led by General Atlantic.
– Prime Global acquired HCD Economics with investment from Levine Leichtman Capital.
– Wejo went public on NASDAQ through a deal with special purpose acquisition company Virtuoso Acquisition.
– Identity specialist GB Group acquired American group Acuant with a £305m placing.
– musicMagpie successfully floated on AIM, raising £110m.
– Victorian Plumbing also made a successful float on AIM, generating nearly £300m.
– LadBible owner LBG Media raised £111m in their AIM float.
Private Equity Exits:
– Seneca Partners exited Wejo when the tech company went public on NASDAQ.
– Palatine achieved a 3.7x return from Verdant Leisure when it was sold to Pears Partnership Capital.
– BGF exited Kids Planet with a 3x return upon its acquisition by Fremman Capital.
– LDC exited SRL Traffic Systems when it was sold to 3i Infrastructure.
– DA Languages was acquired by IK Partners, with Foresight exiting.
M&A Deals:
– Inflexion purchased ANS to combine with their existing investment UKFast.
– EG Group and TDR Capital completed a monumental £6.8bn takeover of Asda.
– Just Childcare was sold to Kids Foundation, with Phoenix exiting.
– Confused.com owner RVU acquired Manchester-based Mojo Mortgages.
– Dutch company Aalberts acquired chemical manufacturer Sentinel Performance Solutions.
– US group Acuant acquired identity verification specialist Hello Soda.
– Radius Payment Solutions acquired Californian insuretech business Modus.
– GB Group acquired American group Acuant with a £305m placing.
– Blue Prism was acquired by US fintech giant SS&C for an impressive £1.24bn.
These noteworthy achievements highlight the dynamic and successful deals taking place within the North West’s corporate finance community. It is evident that the region boasts a vibrant and innovative market, fueled by skilled professionals and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.
As the 2022 Rainmaker Awards approaches, anticipation builds for a night of celebration, networking, and recognition for the outstanding individuals and teams that have made significant contributions to the corporate finance landscape.
