Nominations In 5 Ni Dealmakers Awards

Cleaver Fulton Rankin has received five nominations in the Insider Northern Ireland Dealmakers Awards 2021.

The firm is delighted to have been shortlisted for Corporate Law Firm of the Year. In addition to receiving four nominations in Deal of the Year (£2.5-10m), Private Equity/Venture Capital Deal and Bank Funded Deal of the Year categories for transactions in which we were involved as lead legal adviser.

The five nominations demonstrate another landmark year for Cleaver Fulton Rankin, advising on some of Northern Ireland’s most significant transactions.

Shortlisted for Deal of the Year (£2.5-10m) is the sale of Logicearth Learning Services to The Creative Engagement Group, with a second nomination for the Firms involvement in the funding of Harland & Wolff sourced by Whiterock Finance.

Hilary Griffith, Head of the Corporate & Commercial team, commented: “We are delighted to have been involved in these impressive deals. The successful acquisition of Logicearth by The Creative Engagement Group has combined its digital strengths to offer a truly incredible portfolio of services.”

Caroline MacLaughlin, Head of Banking & Finance, added: “I am pleased to see these prominent deals recognised by Insider. The funding raised through Whiterock has enabled Harland and Wolff and its parent company Infrastrata to convert pipeline into contracts and accelerate their growth plans, to win and fund new contracts, and ultimately underwriting the 80 jobs at the Harland & Wolff site, a focal point of Northern Ireland’s shipyard industry”.

Also nominated for Bank Funded Deal of the Year for the acquisition of Dorchester House by Andras House, Caroline MacLaughlin, commented: “Our client, Danske Bank, provided funding for the purchase of Dorchester House at a time of great uncertainty at the start of the lock-down in early April. The funding provided for the acquisition by Andras House will assist in making Dorchester House and the surrounding area an attractive destination following the development of the Translink Transport Hub”.

This year, Cleaver Fulton Rankin received a new category shortlist for Private Equity/Venture Capital Deal of the Year due to client Gray’s Clip investment by HBAN Angels and Co-Fund NI. Gray’s Clip has created its revolutionary ViperClip, a fully insulated cable clip which works with its stapler to secure electric cables to wooden joists and structures. The investment brings the product forward for the company to launch, manufacture, and distribute. It is a clear demonstration of Cleaver Fulton Rankin’s expertise to advise ambitious start-up companies on a clear growth trajectory.

These results show that Cleaver Fulton Rankin’s performance has remained strong and consistent throughout the last 12 months. In announcing the Corporate Law Firm of the Year category, Insider recognised the firm for performance and for increasing its sectoral expertise in technology. They noted, ‘Cleaver Fulton Rankin has significantly developed its portfolio of early-stage clients and advised ambitious start-up companies such as Grays Clip, Phion Therapeutics, Photonic Measurements and Effidac at various stages of investment’.

Hilary added, “To be nominated five times in four categories is an exceptional achievement and is testament to the calibre of our lawyers, the quality of our advice, and the significance of the transactions we are regularly involved in. These nominations set us apart as a leading commercial law firm in Northern Ireland, advising local businesses on deals and projects which are of crucial importance to the local economy.”

The Insider Dealmakers Awards is celebrating its eleventh year bringing together businesses from across the corporate finance community in Northern Ireland to recognise and reward businesses who demonstrate the highest quality and excellence across significant deals. The awards ceremony is currently scheduled to occur on 2 September at the Europa Hotel, Belfast.