Dealmaker Awards Winner

We’re delighted to have been announced as a winner at the South West Business Insider Dealmaker Awards, a major event celebrating the best of the region.

An Outstanding Achievement

Stephens Scown was shortlisted in two categories, Corporate Team of the Year, and for Small Deal of the Year for its work supporting the sale of Artemis Optical. Acting on behalf of the shareholders of Artemis Optical to see the entire issued share capital to Gooch & Housego, the Stephens Scown team of David GebbieJade Kent, and George Demirev worked tirelessly to ensure the deal was completed to the satisfaction of all parties. Further details can be found here.

In a competitive category, the team took home the prize for Small Deal of the Year, judges recognising the work done and that it was, “an example of a pioneering regional science and technology business being sold to a larger multinational photonics firm in a deal that should give the selling business the platform to go from strength to strength.”

There to collect the trophy on behalf of the firm were Partners and joint heads of the Corporate team, Laurie Trounce and Giles Dunning, alongside Jade Kent, George Demirev, James Rickard, Eliot Quevedo, and Eleanor Stevens.

Laurie said that the award reflected, “the significant standout deal that showed innovation and created value. So proud to see our team shortlisted for Corporate Law Firm of the Year too.”

George added, “It is a privilege to be part of such a well-rounded and supportive team. We get to do some interesting work, and it’s great to see the wider recognition of the team in winning this award.”

Managing Partner Richard Baker said, “Huge congratulations to the team on their win, the work done to support Artemis Optical made them worthy winners of the Small Deal of the Year trophy. To see their efforts recognised in this way is a real reflection of the work done. I’m immensely proud to see it rewarded and look forward to their continued success.”

Corporate Law Expertise

The team have been supporting businesses from start-up, through expansion and acquisition, debt or equity fundraising to succession planning and exit strategies, advising clients of all sizes.

Combining specialist knowledge with commercial insight, the corporate team are ranked Band One by the Chambers Legal Guide, which reports the team as having: “a strong focus on acting for local SMEs and family-owned businesses, while also providing representation to several national companies. They have notable sector expertise in the renewable energy, mining, and food and drink industries.”

It continues: “The team have additional expertise in state aid and public procurement matters… [and] a growing focus on advising companies on their transition to employee ownership, as well as experience of acting for community interest companies and cooperatives, notably for finance work.”

This victory will undoubtedly help to further enhance their outstanding reputation.