Nick Varney, Chief Executive of the Merlin Entertainments Group, has been named CEO of the Year for the South West by the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA), sponsored by Clearwater Corporate Finance.
Headquartered in Poole, Merlin is the second largest leading visitor attraction operator in the world, owning Alton Towers, the London Eye and Madame Tussauds among others.
As well as the CEO of the Year award the group was also named Management Team of the Year in the Large Buyout category.
Merlin was one of four winners in the South West & Wales final of the BVCA's Management Team Awards, which celebrates the achievements of private equity and venture capital-backed companies over the past 12 months. All will now be automatically forwarded to the national finals, the winners of which will be announced at a ceremony in London on 5 July 2012.
Jonny Allatt, chairman of the BVCA South West & Wales judging panel and an investment director at Palatine Private Equity, said: "In the fourth year of the Management Team Awards the standard of entries was the highest yet. The South West categories were closely fought and the winners all exceptional companies run by strong and able management teams of which the private equity industry can be proud. Congratulations to them all."
Leading mid-market corporate finance advisory firm, Clearwater Corporate Finance ('Clearwater') sponsors and works alongside the BVCA to manage the annual BVCA Management Team awards. A team from Clearwater collated, researched and interviewed nominated entries, with a number of the firm's partners sitting on the regional judging panels.
Phil Burns, managing partner at Clearwater Corporate Finance, said: "The management teams that have been recognised in the BVCA Management Team Awards are an inspiration to the business community in the South West and Wales. Despite the economic hurdles that many businesses face, there are some really positive growth stories out there that should be celebrated and demonstrate what private equity is all about."
|
Category |
Winner(s) |
Backer(s) |
|
Large Buyout Private Equity-Backed Management Team of the Year |
Merlin Entertainments Group |
The Blackstone Group, CVC Capital Partners |
|
Mid Market Private Equity-Backed Management Team of the Year |
Wiggle |
ISIS Equity Partners (until December 2011), Bridgepoint (since December 2011) |
|
Venture Capital-Backed Management Team of the Year |
Chromogenex |
Finance Wales |
|
Exit Management Team of the Year |
Wiggle |
ISIS Equity Partners (until December 2011), Bridgepoint (since December 2011) |
|
International Impact Management Team of the Year |
A-Gas |
LDC |
|
Community & Environmental Action Award |
Bluestone Resorts |
Finance Wales |
|
CEO of the Year |
Nick Varney, Merlin Entertainments Group |
The Blackstone Group, CVC Capital Partners |
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
Tom Allchorne, Public Relations Manager, BVCA
+44 (0)20 7420 1807
For further information on Clearwater Corporate Finance please contact:
Alastair Henry, MC2:
+44 (0) 0161 236 1352
Notes to editors:
1. The BVCA Management Team Awards are the only awards that celebrate the achievements of private equity and venture capital-backed management teams. There are six regions in total, the winners of which will be announced in April and May. All regional winners will be entered into the national awards, which will be revealed at a ceremony in London on 5 July 2012. Please click here for more information.
2. The British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (BVCA) is the industry body for the UK private equity and venture capital industry. The BVCA has over 450 member firms, representing the overwhelming number of UK-based private equity and venture capital firms and their advisers.
3. Clearwater Corporate Finance is the leading independent corporate finance house in the UK with an exceptional track record of over 300 completed transactions. It advises on all aspects of corporate finance transactions from mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and company sales to management buy-outs (MBOs). Its clients include management teams, owner-managers, private equity firms and large corporates.
a. Independence - Clearwater is not linked to any larger financial institution or consulting firm, it can provide objective advice without any potential conflict of interest.
b. Cross-border capability - the close communication between its four UK offices and the 60 member firms in IMAP, its exclusive partnership of international M&A firms, makes Clearwater the natural choice for cross-border transactions.
c. Sector expertise - Clearwater's global sector teams offer clients a unique insight into M&A opportunities across the world.
d. Research and origination - with 25 per cent of staff focussed on these activities, the firm offers a market-leading capability to identify strategic opportunities for clients.
e. Excellence - Clearwater is committed to excellence in its service delivery and each client project is managed in a bespoke manner.
f. Commitment - as an owner-managed, partner-led firm, Clearwater guarantees a high level of partner involvement. It takes a long-term view to build trust and lasting relationships.
The size of the Clearwater team and the deals that it advises on make it the most active independent corporate finance house in the markets in which it operates.
