There were some encouraging words for the corporate finance community in Lancashire last night from Moore & Smalley’s Rob Kenmare, who was fresh from being named Dealmaker of the Year at the annual Lancashire Dealmakers Awards 2010. Speaking after receiving his award, Kenmare said: “This year will be better than last because it has to be. We’re certainly starting to see positive signs, and it’s clear that confidence is returning. The corporate finance community in Lancashire stayed sensible when there was a lot of madness around, and I think that has served us well.” Tim Mills from Pierce Corporate Finance, who was named Young Dealmaker of the Year, added: “2010 won’t be easy, but we will come out of this eventually. We never give up here in Lancashire.”

The Authentic Food Company, a manufacturer of British, Eastern, Mediterranean and Indian cuisine, has reported a 39 per cent rise in profits for the year to 31 May 2009. The business posted a profit before tax of £1.76m for the period, up from £1.27m a year earlier. Turnover rose to £32.9m from £30.4m in 2008. Last month, The Authentic Food Company secured funding from the Royal Bank of Scotland that enabled founder Lak Basran to exit the business. The company runs sites in Sharston, Manchester and Stockport and employs 228 people. It was established in 1985 as Authentic Indian Foods by husband and wife team Lak and Kamal Basran.

The sale of Stockport County FC to the Melrose Consortium has moved a step closer after administrator Leonard Curtis said it had agreed terms for the sale of the club. However, the offer remains conditional on both the Football League and Stockport County’s landlord Cheshire Sports agreeing to the terms. The club entered administration last April with reported debts of approximately £300,000. The matter will now be heard at the next Football League board meeting scheduled for 11 March.

Eversheds last night scooped four awards at Manchester Law Society's inaugural Manchester Legal Awarads, held at The Midland Hotel. The firm won awards for the best large law firm, best litigation team, best employment team and for the pro bono/community initiative of the year. Other winners included Addleshaw Goddared, Pinsent Masons, Burton Copeland, Goodman Harvey, Irwin Mitchell, McCool Patterson Hemsi & Co and Turner Parkinson. Pannone also won three awards, with Rodger Pannone taking the outstanding achievement award.

Oldham-based Document Express has secured a £1m contract to provide managed print services to animal charity PDSA. The contract runs for the next five years and includes the supply of 350 Xerox units in conjunction with cost recovery and workflow software. Director Mike Sandell said the business would help the charity to improve capability and reduce costs. Document Express’ other clients include HJ Heinz and JD Sports.

Ernst & Young (EY) has won international engineering and project management company AMEC as an audit client from incumbent KPMG. The firm’s Manchester office will lead the account. FTSE 100 company AMEC, which has a turnover of £2.5bn, has eight sites in the North West. The group yesterday announced a 2 per cent rise in underlying pre-tax profits to £215.6m and said it was preparing for an acquisition spree worth up to £1.5bn.

Jam PR has won a competitive pitch to secure the account of equestrian health foods, supplements and treats supplier Equivet Animal Care Products. The agency will seek to raise awareness of the brand and increase sales of the horse feed products. Manchester-based PR agency MC2 and Freshfield in Preston have also picked up new clients this week. MC2 has been appointed by show home interior design business Show Business Interiors, while Freshfield has won a contract with Lancashire Sport Partnership to raise awareness of the SPAR Lancashire Youth Games 2010.