Deal Awards

Feb 6 2008 nebusiness.co.uk

THE North East’s leading business website, nebusiness.co.uk, is proud to launch the inaugural Journal Deal Awards. Entries for the event have now been sent to our judging panel and the winners will be revealed at a black tie dinner on Thursday 26th June 2008 at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead.

Introduction

The Journal has teamed up with Watson Burton LLP to bring to you the latest edition to the ncjMedia event and exhibition portfolio.

The Journal Deal Awards have been created to significantly recognise and reward the wealth of corporate finance expertise which exists in the North East and the significant contribution it makes to the regions economy.

The awards recognise exceptional achievement by North East companies and the people leading the North East’s corporate finance market place, based on deals completed in the previous year.

Seven award categories have been created to reflect these activities, both by companies who initiate the deals and also the dealmakers who carry them through.

Award Categories

Judging for all seven award categories is extremely tough and will be carried out by our panel of esteemed business experts. Entry to this event is now closed.

Awards will be presented at a prestigious Awards Ceremony and Dinner at the Hilton, Newcastle Gateshead on Thursday 26th June 2008.  

Entry Criteria

The categories take into consideration deals concluded between 1st April 2007 and 31st March 2008.

Acquisition of the Year
The judges are looking for a deal which is likely to add value to the acquirer’s assets and fits in well with its portfolio.  The deal should stand out from the crowd and any element of innovation is a major plus.

Sale of the Year - sponsored by UBS Wealth Management
Successful sales share the characteristics of maximising the potential of the business and securing the best results for the management, employees and shareholders who are involved. Nominations submitted in this category will demonstrate these characteristics.

Small/Mid-Size Company Deal of the Year
This award is for companies with a pre-deal turnover of less that £20m and is designed to ensure that excellent deals of all sizes are given appropriate recognition by the North East business community.

MBO/MBI of the Year - sponsored by UNW
The judges are looking for courage and vision from management teams and their advisors. This kind of deal can may have taken a business in a new direction, allowed a new generation to succeed or effected a rescue. They require a great deal of skill and thought which will be very apparent in the best examples.

Emerging Dealmaker of the Year - sponsored by Watson Burton
Awarded to the rising star of dealmaking. We will reveal the individual who has made a huge impact within the first 10 years of their career, in this competitive environment through intuition, imagination, knowledge and excellent results.

Dealmaker of the Year
This talented individual will be the best a client can get. He or she will have an established record, enviable creativity and dynamism.  They will be both inspirational and aspirational – a real role model in the business community.

Deal of the Year - sponsored by Lloyds TSB
This prestigious top award will be presented to the entry, which in the opinion of the judges, stands out from the rest. The Deal of the Year will be awarded to an entry which has already been submitted into and crowned the winner of either Acquisition of the Year, Sale of the Year, MBO/MBI of the Year or Small/Mid-Size Company Deal of the Year.

How to enter

Entry to this event is now closed. Any queries should be sent to kirsty.tarn@ncjmedia.co.uk

Judging

Academic partner for the awards is Durham Business School, which will be researching the deals before the judges make their decision.

Deputy dean of the school Professor Rob Dixon said: “As academic partner for the awards, Durham Business School is proud to be associated with the launch of The Journal and Evening Gazette Deals Awards.

“The awards have been created to recognise and reward the valuable corporate finance expertise which exists in the North-East and the significant contribution it makes to the UK economy.

“The awards, based on deals completed within 2007, will recognise the exceptional achievements of companies in the North-East and those people who lead the region’s corporate finance market place.

“Seven award categories have been created to reflect these activities, both for the companies who initiate the deals and also the dealmakers who see them through to completion.

“The role of Durham Business School is to draw on its expertise as a global leader of business education, research and knowledge transfer, and research the nominations on behalf of The Journal and the Evening Gazette by working with the judging panel to assess all the nominees and choose an overall winner.”

Rules & procedures

Entry to the event is now closed. The rules & procedures are as follows:

:: The awards were open to companies situated within the circulation areas of The Journal/Evening Gazette.
:: All deals took place between 1st April 2007 and 31st March 2008.
:: Entrants could enter more than one category.
:: Following submission of nominations entrants could be contacted by our researchers, Durham University Business School and be asked to provide further information to assist our judges.
:: All additional material clearly states company details and award category applied for.
:: The judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Awards Ceremony

The inaugural Journal Deal Awards will be announced at a prestigious black tie dinner on Thursday 26th June 2008 at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead. To secure your place at the awards please contact Kirsty Tarn as above. Tables of ten are available for £750 plus Vat. Individual tickets are also available to purchase for £80 plus VAT.

The Journal Deal Awards 2007, Regional Events & Exhibitions, ncjMedia Ltd, Groat Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1ED
Tel. (0191) 201 6072 Fax. (0191) 230 2729
Email: kirsty.tarn@ncjmedia.co.uk