Winner Management buyout of Bolton Engineering

This precision engineering company, based in Farnworth, is one of the UK's leading suppliers of aircraft components and also conveyor systems to the food industry. Clients of the company include Rolls-Royce and Kelloggs. The MBO, led by managing director Keith Harrison, was based around a buyout of existing shareholders, including 3i. Preston law firm Napthens Solicitors and Blackburn-based accountancy Pierce advised the MBO team on the deal, which was funded by GE Commercial Finance.

Shortlist Sale of Askews Library Services to The Little Group; refinancing of Daisy Communications; management buyout of Bolton Engineering; exit from Netspark by Enterprise Ventures

Sponsored by Enterprise Ventures

Winner Pierce

Pierce chief executive John Green won the overall Dealmaker of the Year title last year and his team have proved to be a popular choice again - in a close-run catagory - for their hard work with a wide range of businesses.

Shortlist Tenon Corporate Finance, Pierce, Moore and Smalley

Sponsored by Taylors

Winner Forbes

Forbes are particularly praised for their role in the opening of the Highwayman by Ribble Valley Inns and for top deals like the sale of Kepak UK’s Bamber Bridge assets in a swap for an Irish abattoir.

Shortlist Forbes, DWF LLP, Napthens LLP, Taylors and Marsden Rawsthorn.

Sponsored by PM&M.

Winner The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)

They may have lost Ian Leigh to the forces of law and order, but RBS proves it has the team to beat once again in Preston and Blackburn.

Shortlist Barclays, The Royal Bank of Scotland, Bank of Scotland, Yorkshire Bank

Sponsored by Pierce

Winner HSBC

This award is for the finance team in Lancashire that has weaved that special bit of financial magic by lending against business assets and the eclectic shortlist really highlighted the wide range of finance available to metal bashers and web designers alike.

Shortlist GE Commercial Finance, One Business Finance, HSBC, The Royal Bank of Scotland

Sponsored by Marsden Rawsthorn

Winner Rosebud Fund, Enterprise Ventures

The Rosebud Fund supports early-stage businesses across the region with crucial finance and expertise, in a range of sectors such as black puddings, water and horse supplies. 

Shortlist Rosebud Fund – Enterprise Ventures; Rising Stars Growth Fund – Enterprise Ventures; North West Business Investment Fund – YFM Private Equity

Sponsored by Tenon Corporate Finance

Winner John Daly, Tenon Corporate Finance

Daly is responsible for the North West corporate finance team, operating out of Chorley and Manchester. Tenon has recently acquired the business recovery team of Haines Watts.

Shortlist John Green, Pierce; Rob Kenmare, Moore and Smalley; Craig Richardson, Dow Schofield Watts; John Daly, Tenon Corporate Finance; Mark Conboy, Unity

Sponsored by DWF 

Winner Andrew Clare, Napthens

Clare worked on the management buyout of Bolton Engineering, a deal that secured jobs and quality orders and this year's Lancashire Deal of the Year.

Shortlist Elaine Hurn, Taylors; Andrew Clare, Napthens; Daniel Milnes, Forbes; Keith Melling, DWF; David Southern, Marsden Rawsthorn

Sponsored by PM&M

Winner Richard Spielbichler, GE Commercial Finance

Spielbichler and his team at GE supplied funds for the buyout of Bolton Engineering, this year's Deal of the Year. 

Shortlist David Warbrick, Barclays; Richard Spielbichler, GE Commercial Finance; Andrew White, HSBC; Mike Hartley, One Business Finance

Sponsored by Marsden Rawsthorn

Winner Mark Sykes, CLB Coopers

Sykes joined CLB as a partner in its Lancaster office in 2006 and is experienced in due diligence, financial modelling and supporting contract negotiations. He spent the previous three years working for EDS, the main IT supplier to the Department for Work and Pensions. 

Shortlist Daniel Milnes, Forbes; Pauline Rigby, Forbes; Mark Sykes, CLB Coopers; Gary Birchall, Yorkshire Bank

Sponsored by Napthens

The Flat Cap Award was introduced to recognise the Lancashire Dealmakers' Personality of the Year, which rewards an individual's values, attributes and their approach to doing deals that mirrors all that is unique about Lancashire. This year’s winner is a Lancashire lass from Rawtensall, a real character with a no-nonsense approach to dealmaking, which makes her a firm favourite with businesses and professionals countywide. And the winner is... Debbie King of Farleys.