Let's start at the beginning. How do we get our financial advisory and legal advisory shortlists together? Our shortlist includes the top 3 firms by overall value and top 3 by overall volume for the period 1 October 2016 to 30 September 2017. To ensure that local advisers are represented within the country categories, we also nominate the highest ranked locally headquartered advisers to the shortlist.

We will provide the panel with the following M&A data during the judging process:

• your league table ranking by both value and volume for the category
• the overall deal count and total transaction value for the firm for the category

Your pitch needs to tell the story behind these numbers.

The judges want to know why you deserve to win. An ideal pitch will show how you added value to deal processes, supported clients and offered creative solutions to complex situations.

Your pitch may choose to highlight your successes across a number of different deals. All corporate and private equity transactions are captured by our shortlisting process and mandates to any party on the deal are valid – buyer, seller or target. Explain why these deals were so important and what you did as an adviser to get them across the line.

Sometimes, one deal says it all. If you worked on a landmark transaction and that single deal tells the story of your year, then make clear you have selected one example to highlight. The judges look for the direct contribution your firm made to the process, especially if you were a lead adviser.

What the judges are asked to ignore:

• Any reference to non-Mergermarket awards and rankings
• Deals that don’t meet our criteria for inclusion in Mergermarket’s database
• Financing or underwriting on deals where you had no M&A mandate
• Legal advice offered to financial advisers only

Some other useful notes:

• The pitches are treated as confidential documents. However, please clearly mark any previously undisclosed information as“confidential”.
• There’s no need for a presentation, illustrations or pitchbooks; just 300 words will do fine.
• The mid-market prize includes deals £30-300m (or equivalent).
• Deadline day is Thursday 26th October. Send your entry to matthew.robinson@acuris.com

And don’t forget…if you make a pitch, you’re in with a chance of winning. Awards night is Thursday 7th December 2017 in London.

Matthew Robinson Events Director, Europe, Middle East & Africa Acuris

Matthew is responsible for the content, production, marketing and operations team for custom events and conferences. He oversees event portfolios for Mergermarket, Debtwire, Unquote and PaRR brands.