EVENTS
ETA Awards 2024
November
07
2024
Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Awards (ETA Awards)
18:30 - 21:30
Landing Forty Two, 122 Leadenhall St, London EC3V 4AB
CELEBRATING ENTREPRENEURSHIP THROUGH ACQUISITION
Gerald Edelman is excited to announce that we will be hosting the ETA awards for the second year running, on Thursday 7 November 2024. This is the first awards ceremony of its kind for the industry.
We are delighted to once again be bringing together a network of searchers and entrepreneurs to celebrate their achievements and notable acquisitions over the past year.
The ETA awards spotlights promising and established searchers who have demonstrated their dedication and played a critical role in the ETA process, driving growth and success in the acquired companies.
The evening will be a great way to network with other searchers in London! Take a look at last year's event in this video to see for yourself!
AWARD CATEGORIES
Award categories
Lender of the Year. Sponsored by Marriott Harrison.
Most ETA deals involve the introduction of some debt capital. Some jurisdictions have easier access to debt capital than others and with Government support meaning there is less risk for both the lenders and borrowers. In the UK we are dependent on the risk appetite of the lenders to unlock deals and many of the high-street banks do not have the appetite for such transactions. This award will go to the lender who has enabled the sector to continue closing deals and unlocking value.
Community Contribution. Sponsored by Ashtons Legal.
The ETA community in the UK is particularly collaborative and supportive of one another. This award will go to the individual or business who has played a major role in bringing together the community and advancing the development of ETA in the UK.
Deal of the Year (Self-Funded). Sponsored by Shawbrook.
This award will go to the transaction executed by a self-funded acquisition entrepreneur that is independently judged to be the deal of the year within that category.
Great deals are made by creating win/win situations, so the value created for both buyer and seller is a critical factor.
When submitting your application, consider:
1) Succession
2) Cash generation of the Target
3) Organic growth prospects
4) Vertical/horizontal M&A growth opportunities
5) Security of jobs for employees/other stakeholder considerations
6) Rolled equity – will the buyer and seller benefit from post-deal growth?
7) ESG – was the deal created ethically, and does it consider relevant environmental and social factors?
Deal of the Year (Traditional). Sponsored by BizCrunch
This award will go to the transaction executed by a traditional search-fund acquisition entrepreneur that is independently judged to be the deal of the year within that category.
Great deals are made by creating win/win situations, so the value created for both buyer and seller is a critical factor.
When submitting your application, consider:
1) Succession
2) Cash generation of the Target
3) Organic growth prospects
4) Vertical/horizontal M&A growth opportunities
5) Security of jobs for employees/other stakeholder considerations
6) Rolled equity – will the buyer and seller benefit from post-deal growth?
7) ESG – was the deal created ethically, and does it consider relevant environmental and social factors?
ESG Excellence. Sponsored by JMW.
ESG is an increasingly important consideration for acquisition entrepreneurs and their investors. This award will celebrate the most ESG conscious searcher or investor.
Applications are now closed for the ETA Awards 2024.
Enter Awards
Submit
OUR EXPERTS
Judging Panel
About Bramley
Bramley has over a decade of experience in the search fund community, working with, for, and investing in various search funds around the world. He is the Managing Director for Avanti Ventures, an investment firm established in 1993 and an investor in Europe's first search fund, a Founding Partner of Steele Street Investments, an international investment partnership, and a limited partner in Vonzeo Capital, a search fund investment fund with searchers on six continents.
Based in Barcelona, Bramley is also the Director of the International Search Fund Center at IESE Business School. He coordinates major events, including the International Search Fund Center Conference, the Investor and CEO Summits, the Women in Search Forum among many others. Additionally, he mentors aspiring and existing searchers throughout their search fund journey.
Bramley has over a decade of experience in the search fund community, working with, for, and investing in various search funds around the world. He is the Managing Director for Avanti Ventures, an investment firm established in 1993 and an investor in Europe's first search fund, a Founding Partner of Steele Street Investments, an international investment partnership, and a limited partner in Vonzeo Capital, a search fund investment fund with searchers on six continents.
Based in Barcelona, Bramley is also the Director of the International Search Fund Center at IESE Business School. He coordinates major events, including the International Search Fund Center Conference, the Investor and CEO Summits, the Women in Search Forum among many others. Additionally, he mentors aspiring and existing searchers throughout their search fund journey.
Bramley Johnson
Director of the International Search Fund Center
About Alex
Alex is the MD of Workpays, an employability and skills training provider based in the Midlands with ten offices and over 100 staff. Alex acquired the company in 2021 through his search fund, Coniston Peak, which he set up in 2020, bringing together global investors to build a leading training provider. Since acquisition, the company has doubled its revenue and grown its reach and Alex now regularly writes for FE News, the industry’s leading news outlet. Before founding Coniston Peak, Alex worked in investment banking in New York. He started his career as a parliamentary aide for a senior Labour MP and subsequently worked at Citi in equity research and as Director of Strategy of New York Public Radio.
Alex is the MD of Workpays, an employability and skills training provider based in the Midlands with ten offices and over 100 staff. Alex acquired the company in 2021 through his search fund, Coniston Peak, which he set up in 2020, bringing together global investors to build a leading training provider. Since acquisition, the company has doubled its revenue and grown its reach and Alex now regularly writes for FE News, the industry’s leading news outlet. Before founding Coniston Peak, Alex worked in investment banking in New York. He started his career as a parliamentary aide for a senior Labour MP and subsequently worked at Citi in equity research and as Director of Strategy of New York Public Radio.
Alex Glasner
MD of Workpays
About Lisa
Lisa’s career began as a Senior Crown Prosecutor in Greater Manchester. Following an enjoyable six years, she left to set up her own venture in the field of marketing and business development working with several household names including Fidelity, Barclays and Addleshaw Goddard.
Lisa qualified as a business coach and took that experience back into Pannone LLP as Head of Entrepreneurial Services. In this role, Lisa worked directly with SMEs, OMBs and Entrepreneurs to help deliver exemplary client service and built a model to provide a new holistic service to NW clients.
Lisa joined DWF LLP to lead the Client Programmes, a role which took her all over the world, leading to the firm’s IPO in 2019. Leading a team of ten client relationships managers took Lisa away from the coal face and in 2020 she accepted a role as Client Relationship Director at Taylor Vinters (now merged with Mishcon de Reya). In this role she built a model to illustrate how the firm could help Entrepreneurs with their whole client journey from inception to exit. At JMW, Lisa is focussed on achieving best-in-class client satisfaction as well as growing and expanding the client’s loyal customer base.
Lisa’s career began as a Senior Crown Prosecutor in Greater Manchester. Following an enjoyable six years, she left to set up her own venture in the field of marketing and business development working with several household names including Fidelity, Barclays and Addleshaw Goddard.
Lisa qualified as a business coach and took that experience back into Pannone LLP as Head of Entrepreneurial Services. In this role, Lisa worked directly with SMEs, OMBs and Entrepreneurs to help deliver exemplary client service and built a model to provide a new holistic service to NW clients.
Lisa joined DWF LLP to lead the Client Programmes, a role which took her all over the world, leading to the firm’s IPO in 2019. Leading a team of ten client relationships managers took Lisa away from the coal face and in 2020 she accepted a role as Client Relationship Director at Taylor Vinters (now merged with Mishcon de Reya). In this role she built a model to illustrate how the firm could help Entrepreneurs with their whole client journey from inception to exit. At JMW, Lisa is focussed on achieving best-in-class client satisfaction as well as growing and expanding the client’s loyal customer base.
Lisa Conmy
Client Relationship Partner at JMW
SPONSORSHIP
Our Sponsors
Our sponsors demonstrate a commitment to excellence and genuine support for the ETA and Search Fund community.
We’re thrilled to once again have Shawbrook as the primary sponsor for our upcoming event! Their continued support is a testament to their dedication to the ETA and search fund space.
How to become a sponsor
Our sponsors have the opportunity to reach a wide audience with a genuine interest in the Search Fund space. To sponsor the awards, read our sponsorship brochure or contact us today!
OUR SPONSORS
Our 2024 sponsors!
How to attend
We'd love for you to come along and celebrate with us!
Tickets for the ETA Awards are £50 per person, which includes canapés and drinks.
Please note, there are limited tickets available.
Attend Awards
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common questions
Frequently asked questions
What are the eligibility requirements for entering an award?
This will vary depending on the award, so it is important to read the eligibility criteria carefully before submitting an entry.
How do I submit an entry for an award?
Use the form above to submit your application. This should include a profile up to 2000 words on why you should win the award and a supporting document. This can be an image, testimonial, media coverage or financial information that supports the application.
When will I know if I have been shortlisted or won an award?
The nominations will be released on Friday 20 September.
Is there a dress code for the awards ceremony?
While we don't expect tuxedos and ballgowns, the dress code is cocktail for this event. It's a special night and we want to look our best! This includes suits and ties, cocktail dresses, smart trousers and shoes.
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