Parkwalk are delighted to have won the Growth Investor Awards ‘Best Exit for 2015’, following on from the Enterprise Investment Scheme Association ‘Best EIS Exit for 2014′ and ‘Highly Commended’ Fund Manager awards in February 2015.

PARKWALK ADVISERS ANNOUNCED AS GROWTH INVESTOR AWARDS WINNER

Last night, Parkwalk Advisors won Exit of the Year for Tracsis at the inaugural Growth Investor Awards, which recognises impact beyond investment in the UK SME finance industry.

The Exit of the Year award is judged on investment performance against initial targets and value added to the investee business by the fund manager.

Parkwalk triumphed over Elderstreet for Wessex Advanced Switching Products (WASP) and YFM Equity Partners for Waterfall Services. The Award was presented at a black tie dinner attended by 300 guests at the Marriott Grosvenor Square in Mayfair by Lawrence Gosling, Group Editorial Director of Incisive Media – whose titles, Professional Adviser and Investment Week, are media partners for the Growth Investor Awards.

The Awards are organised by Intelligent Partnership (IP), the UK’s leading provider of research and education on alternative investment, as part of a national campaign to raise awareness of impact and innovation in growth capital.

Opening the ceremony, IP’s Managing Director Guy Tolhurst said: “Tonight we honour those innovating in financial services and putting investment to work in SME’s. They do things differently. They don’t see venture capital schemes as just a way to save their clients’ tax. They see businesses that can innovate, grow and create new jobs – and in doing so they make us all more prosperous.”

A two stage judging process to identify 12 winners from 36 finalists was supported by a panel of 35 independent judges. Daniel Kiernan, IP’s Research Director who headed up the shortlist, commented: “By designing a judging process around impact beyond investment on investee companies, the Growth Investor Awards enables the industry to demonstrate its unique contribution while differentiating its leading players. The credibility and prestige of these awards comes from an influential Advisory Board and an eminent panel of independent judges.”

Daniel Kiernan added: “Judges were impressed by the role of Parkwalk Advisors over its 3-year holding period, interacting regularly with Tracsis management, advising on strategy, and introducing institutional equity funds.”

Parkwalk’s Moray Wright said “We are delighted to have won this inaugural Growth Investor award, which celebrated the impact venture capital has on SMEs and the British economy.”

The economic importance of tax advantaged venture capital schemes was a theme for two keynote speeches at the ceremony. The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke MP, highlighted the broader economic impact of the billions that has been invested in SMEs through EIS, SEIS and VCT in terms of employment and tax contributions.

David Gauke, said: “It’s important to acknowledge the key role played by growth investors in helping small businesses start, expand, and reach their full potential. The government provides a range of support to encourage this type of investment, including through the tax-advantaged venture capital schemes which have supported more than 22,000 companies to access over £17.5 billion of investment. Without access to the finance they need to develop their vision, companies with great ideas would struggle to fulfil their potential, and Britain would lose out.”

Visit www.growthinvestorawards.com/winners for a full list of all winners and runners up.