Insider Wales Dealmakers Awards 2025 Shortlist Announced

The shortlist for the 2025 Insider Wales Dealmakers Awards has been officially revealed, celebrating excellence in corporate finance, legal advisory, funding, and dealmaking across Wales.

Set to take place on Thursday 25 September 2025 at Holland House Hotel in Cardiff, the black-tie event will bring together some of the most influential firms and professionals in the Welsh business landscape.

This year’s shortlist spans 11 categories, highlighting standout performances in areas such as Corporate Finance Advisory, Law, Private Equity, Venture Capital, and Emerging Dealmakers.

Among the notable categories:

• Corporate Finance Advisory Team of the Year includes FRP Corporate Finance, Azets, GS Verde Group, Gambit Corporate Finance, and Dow Schofield Watts Corporate Finance.
• Corporate Law Firm of the Year features prominent legal firms including Acuity Law, Blake Morgan, HCR Legal, Browne Jacobson, and DJM Law.
• Funder of the Year sees a strong showing from both traditional and development lenders, with Development Bank of Wales, Barclays, NatWest Cymru, HSBC, and LDC among those shortlisted.

In the Deal of the Year and Small Deal of the Year categories, a range of strategic investments and acquisitions are recognised, reflecting the vibrancy of Wales’ business community. Some deals include investments and funding involving fintech ventures, showcasing the continuing growth of digital innovation and technology-led finance in Wales.

Fintech-relevant nominations include:

• Funding for Burbank Software (shortlisted under both International Deal of the Year and Private Equity / Venture Capital Firm of the Year),
• Funding for Nisien.ai, and
• Investment in Transcend Packaging—all involving key stakeholders such as the Development Bank of Wales, Foresight Group, and other major finance and legal advisors.

Emerging and established dealmakers are also highlighted, with individual nominations such as Harrie Thorrington (Gambit Corporate Finance), Chiara Howfield (Acuity Law / Browne Jacobson), and Dewi Hughes (LDC).

The awards reflect the resilience and dynamism of the Welsh dealmaking ecosystem, recognising the people and organisations driving corporate transactions across the country.

To view the full shortlist, visit the Insider Wales Dealmakers Awards 2025 shortlist.