Stefan Gunn named Dealmaker of the Year at South West Dealmakers Awards 2024

Stefan Gunn, Investment Director in LDC’s South West and Wales team, was named Dealmaker of the Year at last night’s South West Dealmaker Awards 2024, with the firm also picking up Deal of the Year (£25m+) for its exit of Cakesmiths.

Stefan was unanimously selected by the judges due to his instrumental role in a number of South West transactions this year.

This included LDC’s investment in tech-enabled legal services company The Barrister Group – believed to be the first such investment from private equity in the Bar of England & Wales – and its exit of Bristol-based independent manufacturer of artisan cakes Cakesmiths. 

LDC’s exit of Cakesmiths was also Deal of the Year (£25m+). The judges described Cakesmith’s growth during LDC’s tenure – which included a rise in revenue of 164% and EBITDA of 260% – as ‘extraordinary’, and hailed it as a ‘great deal for all involved’.

In addition, LDC was highly commended in the Private Equity Firm of the Year category. It recently underlined its commitment to the South West and Wales with the appointment of Vera Kuehne as Investment Manager and Sally Tam as Investment Executive. The firm also moved to a new, improved office in the heart of Bristol in the prestigious Queen Square.

LDC extends its congratulations to all of the companies and individuals that won awards or were shortlisted at Insider’s South West Dealmakers Awards 2024. You can view the full list of winners here.