Several Bondholders shortlisted for deal-making awards

Several Marketing Derby Bondholders have been shortlisted for awards which celebrate the corporate finance individuals and teams responsible for the top deals of the year.

The shortlist for the 2026 East Midlands Rainmakers Awards, organised by TheBusinessDesk, has recently been revealed.

It features individuals and teams responsible for arranging hundreds of deals, mergers and acquisitions over the last 12 months.

In the Regional Legal Team category, Flint Bishop, Nelsons and Rothera Bray will be going for glory while Shakespeare Martineau has secured a nomination in the National Legal Team category.

Dains and PKF Smith Cooper are both shortlisted in the Regional CF Advisory Team and Transaction Services Team categories, while LDC is a finalist in the VC/Private Equity Team category.

PKF Smith Cooper is also up for Turnaround Team.

The team behind Bloc Digital’s private equity investment – which includes Smith Partnership – is up for Small Deal of the Year (up to £10m).

Mortgage Advice Bureau’s transfer of its LSE listing from AIM to the Main Market is shortlisted for Large Deal of the Year (£50m+).

In the individual awards Peter Abel (Nelsons), Joe Anderson (PKF Smith Cooper) and Hannah Hutchinson (LDC) are finalists in the Rising Star category, while David Bains (LDC) and Claire Spencer (PKF Smith Cooper) are among the nominees vying for the Rainmarker title.

Sam Metcalf, editor of TheBusinessDesk in the East Midlands, said: “Once again, many thanks to everyone who helped pick our shortlist.

“There have been some truly exciting deals this year, and the expertise of the East Midlands corporate finance community has shone through once again. Good luck to everyone shortlisted!”

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Nottingham on Thursday 5 November.