PricewaterhouseCoopers
With forty one offices across the United Kingdom, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is one of the UK's foremost advisers to AIM listed companies and we are proud to have over 225 AIM companies within our client base. We aim to deliver outstanding services to our clients by putting quality, integrity and relationships at the heart of our approach.
The member firms of the PricewaterhouseCoopers network provide industry focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders. More than 155,000 people in 153 countries across our network work collaboratively using connected thinking to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice.
www.pwc.co.uk
London Stock Exchange
The London Stock Exchange is one of the world's leading equity exchanges and a provider of services that facilitate the raising of capital and the trading of shares.
The commitment of the Exchange to the development of AIM has helped establish it as the world's leading market for smaller, growing companies from all over the world. Since its launch in 1995, over 3,000 companies operating in 100 countries and 38 industries have chosen to join AIM, a market that provides the right environment for innovative companies to access international capital and raise their profile.
AIM hosts a wide range of companies from early stage, venture capital-backed businesses to more established ones seeking further growth. AIM's key attraction is the same today as it has always been - combining access to one of the deepest pools of capital in the world with a regulatory framework and approach uniquely suited to smaller companies.
By continuing to ensure this balance as the market grows, and by drawing on the experience of the wider AIM community, we look forward to a successful future for AIM as "the world's growth market".
If you would like more information please visit our website at www.londonstockexchange.com. AIM is a trademark of London Stock Exchange plc.
1. Best Performing Share
 Sponsored by WH Ireland Limited | http://www.wh-ireland.co.uk
WH Ireland is one of the top 5 advisers to companies on AIM and has worked closely with the London Stock Exchange in organising and presenting at conferences in Australia, New Zealand, Russia and China. WH Ireland has 5 fully staffed corporate finance offices covering the country from London, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds and Manchester and an associated corporate finance subsidiary in Australia, so is able to provide a high level of committed and experienced personal service to corporate clients.
WH Ireland acts for numerous UK and overseas companies covering a variety of sectors, including natural resources, support services, biotechnology, financials, technology and leisure.
2. Best Communication
 Sponsored by SJ Berwin LLP | http://www.sjberwin.com
Since its establishment in 1982, the fundamental objective of SJ Berwin LLP has been to provide outstanding legal advice in a dynamic environment. We take pride in our ability to devise innovative and commercially viable solutions to complex problems. We understand our clients' businesses and are always willing to challenge orthodox views. We operate in an open, accessible and fast-moving atmosphere that promotes progressive thinking and a creative approach to meeting our clients' needs. These skills and values have driven our success, and we are proud to have helped our clients to achieve their business goals through original, practical thinking.
Working from Berlin, Brussels, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris and Turin, the firm has the resources to handle major cross-border transactions, and has gained a reputation as a leading European firm in many fields including AIM, private equity, fund formation, M&A and buy-outs. We have a leading AIM practice, having been involved in AIM work since the inception of the market in 1995.Our AIM practice is enhanced by the fact that we act not only for AIM companies but also for some of the most active AIM nominated advisers and brokers. We are proud of our long-standing association with the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange, and are delighted to have had another active year in the field.
For more information please visit the fundraising section of our website.
3. Best Use of AIM
 Sponsored by Winterflood Securities Limited | http://www.wins.co.uk/
Winterflood Securities is an international capital markets firm committed to efficient and responsive liquidity provision with integrity. Classic trading values and sophisticated modern technology combine to deliver a range of highly-flexible execution services custom-designed for each client.
Winterflood Securities has been fully committed to the AIM market since the beginning, in 1995 when only 10 companies were quoted. There are now approaching 1400 companies quoted on the world's leading growth market, down on last year, but we still cover all these stocks.
Winterflood Securities is once again delighted to sponsor the "Best Use of AIM" award, and would like to congratulate all of the award winners this evening. We hope that their success will continue to promote the vital role that AIM plays in the provision of capital for small, young and fast growing companies
4. Best Technology
 Sponsored by Merchant John East Securities | http://www.johneastpartners.com
Merchant John East Securities Limited is the new name of John East & Partners Limited and reflects the imminent merger of its business with that of fellow subsidiary Merchant Securities Group Limited.
Merchant John East Securities Limited is a long established Nominated Adviser and Broker to AIM companies. The combined business will provide a full range of client services, including corporate finance advice, transaction management and raising capital for public and private companies, institutional sales, sales trading and research and private client wealth management and advice.
We have considerable experience in the UK securities market across a wide range of sectors and have been shortlisted for AIM adviser of the year award in six out of the last seven years and for the AIM broker of the year award in 2009.
5. AIM Transaction of the Year
 Sponsored by KBC Peel Hunt | http://www.kbcpeelhunt.com/
KBC Peel Hunt is the London-based UK equities arm of KBC Group, and offers corporate clients a complete service, including corporate finance, corporate broking, sales and trading. KBC Group is a leading European banking and insurance group.
6. Best Research
 Sponsored by Canaccord Adams Limited| http://www.canaccordadams.com
Canaccord Adams Limited was established in London in 1993 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Canaccord Adams Limited Inc, one of Canada's leading independent investment firms. Canaccord is an approved Nominated Adviser and Broker for AIM, a Sponsor and Member of the London Stock Exchange and is authorised and regulated and authorised by the Financial Services Authority. Canaccord offers a specialised range of investment banking services including corporate finance and advisory services, focused equity research, an institutional sales force with pan-European reach and international trading. We also offer European companies exposure to North American institutions through our 1,510 employees in 31 offices worldwide.
Specialising in small and mid-cap companies, Canaccoard is committed to establishing a strong partnership with each client to achieve long-term corporate goals. The company's competitive advantage lies in its in-depth knowledge and proven track record of equity financing and advisory services. With operations in research, sales and trading and investment banking, Canaccord's experienced professionals seek out emerging opportunities in its key sectors - mining & metals, energy, technology, life sciences, media, investment trusts, sustainability, support services and general financials. Canaccord is a recognised leader across these sectors and is able to offer its clients a unique perspective on the European capital markets to UK and international companies by generating focused, actionable ideas that identify opportunities and facilitate growth.
To learn more about Canaccord Adams, please visit www.canaccordadams.com
 7. International Company of the Year
Sponsored by MATRIX Corporate Capital LLP | http://www.matrixgroup.co.uk/corporate_capital
Matrix Corporate Capital LLP is an independent, research driven broker and corporate adviser, providing Broking, Corporate Finance, Primary and Secondary Equity issues, Bond and Convertible Issues, Research and Market Making services.
Matrix Corporate Capital looks to build strong long-term relationships with clients and has specialist sector teams across disciplines to do this.
The sectors currently covered are oil & gas, metals & mining, investment funds and companies, new and renewable energy, pharmaceuticals & biotechnology, housebuilding & construction, clean technology, household & personal care, tobacco, power, food producers, and beverages.
Matrix corporate capital is a member of the London Stock Exchange and is an AIM registered NOMAD and broker.
8. Best Newcomer
 Sponsored by FinnCap | http://www.finncap.com/
Finncap is a client focused independent broker to growing companies. Our team has a strong track record in advising and raising capital, providing research and after market care for growing companies. Our Institutional Broking team provides a dedicated, bespoke agency broking service to fund managers and private client brokers.
We encourage long-term relationships with our clients and aim to add value by providing information, execution skills and advice in our market. We develop made to measure solutions to meet the individual needs of each of our clients.
As specialists in the small cap sector we understand the particular needs of this market and we offer consistent senior team involvement throughout the process
9. Entrepreneur of the Year
 Sponsored by Brewin Dolphin | http://www.brewindolphin.co.uk/
At Brewin Dolphin, our key aim is to use our significant research-led know-how and corporate advisory expertise to assist our clients in achieving their true potential.
Most of our clients, across the UK small and mid cap quoted market place, have been with us for many years and are used to relying on our trusted blend of diligence, entrepreneurship and integrity. They know that we deliver on our promises.
Our long standing reputation is built on identifying and advising unique growth businesses and matching these together with high quality equity investors and debt providers. With our multi-disciplined team of professionals, we are able to understand the challenges from all angles, whether it is for one of our 100 plus corporate clients or our 500 investing institutions.
We are part of a successful, FTSE 250 quoted company, our sister division Brewin Dolphin Investment Management has over £17 billion of funds under management.
Above all, we pride ourselves on our long-term approach, identifying and delivering solutions that satisfy our clients best interests, summed up by our dictum that the first thing we earn is your trust.
If you would like to discuss our services further, contact Mark Brady on 0845 213 4748..
10. Company of the Year
 Sponsored by Close Asset Management | www.closeam.com
Close Asset Management is part of the Close Brothers Group, one of the City's oldest and most respected financial organisations. Through our parent company, we have inherited a strong focus on service and a desire to support innovation both for our clients and for their professional advisors.
Through our companies located onshore and offshore, we provide a wide range of discretionary investment and fund management services, hedge fund and multi-manager advisory services, private banking, trust, administration, pension advice, tax, financial planning and employer education services.
Our collective fund manager Close Asset Management (UK) Limited is one of the leading institutions investing in AIM and have managed the Close Beacon Investment Fund from launch in 1994. The Fund is one of a limited number of Smaller Company funds that focus primarily on AIM and its performance since inception is impressive measured against the FTSE AIM All Share Index.
Close’s commitment to smaller companies was further demonstrated with the launch of the more broadly based Close Special Situations Fund in May 2006. This fund is the top performing UK Smaller Companies fund for the three years to 30th June 2009.
Additionally we manage segregated smaller companies mandates, many of which provide potential inheritance tax benefits to private individuals willing to invest in companies listed on AIM.
Close Asset Management is delighted to sponsor the Company of the Year Award again and wishes the winner continued prosperity.
If you would like more information please contact Deryck Noble-Nesbitt, Director of Research and UK Smaller Companies on 020 7426 6244 (deryck.noble-nesbitt@closeam.com) or Robert Imbert, Director of Intermediary Sales on 020 7426 4073 (robert.imbert@closeam.com).
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