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Lender of the Year
Most ETA deals involve some form of debt capital. In a market where access to debt capital can be challenging and high-street banks often lack appetite for such transactions, this award celebrates the lender who has gone above and beyond to unlock deals and create value in the ETA space. To enter, download the application form and send back to us at events@geraldedelman.com.
Community Contribution
The Community Contribution Award honours an individual or business that has made an exceptional impact in the ETA space. This accolade recognises those who have gone above and beyond to strengthen the ETA community through knowledge sharing, innovation, and leadership, both locally and globally. To enter, download the application form and send back to us at events@geraldedelman.com.
Deal of the Year (Self-Funded) Over £10 million
This award will go to the best transaction executed by a self-funded acquisition entrepreneur. The award celebrates deals that exemplify excellence in creating win-win situations, demonstrating significant value creation for both the buyer and the seller. The winning deal will showcase clear objectives, innovative strategies, and measurable impact, while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the field of entrepreneurship through acquisition. To enter, download the application form and send back to us at events@geraldedelman.com.
Deal of the Year (Self-Funded) Under £10 million
This award will go to the best transaction executed by a self-funded acquisition entrepreneur. The award celebrates deals that exemplify excellence in creating win-win situations, demonstrating significant value creation for both the buyer and the seller. The winning deal will showcase clear objectives, innovative strategies, and measurable impact, while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the field of entrepreneurship through acquisition. To enter, download the application form and send back to us at events@geraldedelman.com.
Deal of the Year (Traditional) Over £10 million
This award will go to the best transaction executed by a traditional search fund. This award celebrates deals that exemplify excellence in creating win-win situations, demonstrating significant value creation for both the buyer and the seller. The winning deal will showcase clear objectives, innovative strategies, and measurable impact, while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the field of entrepreneurship through acquisition. To enter, download the application form and send back to us at events@geraldedelman.com.
Deal of the Year (Traditional) Under £10 million
This award will go to the best transaction executed by a traditional search fund. This award celebrates deals that exemplify excellence in creating win-win situations, demonstrating significant value creation for both the buyer and the seller. The winning deal will showcase clear objectives, innovative strategies, and measurable impact, while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the field of entrepreneurship through acquisition. To enter, download the application form and send back to us at events@geraldedelman.com.
ESG Excellence
The ESG Excellence Award recognises acquisition entrepreneurs and search funds who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in their investment strategies and business practices. This prestigious accolade celebrates those who have gone beyond traditional financial metrics to incorporate ESG considerations into their acquisition processes, due diligence, and post-acquisition management. To enter, download the application form and send back to us at events@geraldedelman.com.
Intern of the Year
This award honours an intern who has made a significant and measurable contribution to a searcher’s journey during their internship. The ideal recipient has demonstrated exceptional performance in one or more of the following areas: sourcing high-quality acquisition targets, conducting in-depth industry and company research, supporting financial modelling, valuation and deal analysis, preparing outreach materials, CRM management and contributing to due diligence efforts. To enter, download the application form and send back to us at events@geraldedelman.com.
Serial Acquirer of the Year
This award recognises an exceptional entrepreneur who has demonstrated outstanding success in acquiring multiple businesses through the search fund/ETA model—whether via a traditional or self-funded path. The recipient exemplifies the spirit of entrepreneurship through acquisition, having repeatedly navigated the complex process of identifying, acquiring, and operating companies. Their achievements reflect not only strong deal-making acumen but also a sustained commitment to value creation, leadership, and long-term growth across multiple ventures. This individual stands out as a leading example of what it means to build a portfolio through search. To enter, download the application form and send back to us at events@geraldedelman.com.
Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Awards
05 Nov 2025
18.00-22.00PM
London
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SecThe ETA awards are back for the third year running, on Wednesday 5 November 2025! We are delighted to once again be bringing together a network of searchers and entrepreneurs to celebrate their achievements and notable acquisitions over the past year.
The ETA awards spotlights promising and established searchers who have demonstrated their dedication and played a critical role in the ETA process, driving growth and success in the acquired companies.
The evening will be a great way to network with other searchers in London. Take a look at last year's event in this video to see for yourself.
AWARD CATEGORIES
Enter the ETA Awards 2025
Lender of the Year
Community Contribution
Deal of the Year (Self-Funded) Over £10 million
Deal of the Year (Self-Funded) Under £10 million
Deal of the Year (Traditional) Over £10 million
Deal of the Year (Traditional) Under £10 million
ESG Excellence
Intern of the Year
Serial Acquirer of the Year
Our sponsors demonstrate a commitment to excellence and genuine support for the ETA and Search Fund community.
Interested in sponsoring the ETA awards? As an event sponsor, you have the opportunity to reach a wide audience with a genuine interest in the Search Fund space.
To learn more, read our sponsorship brochure or contact us today.
The deadline for submissions is midnight on Friday 5 September 2025.
The awards are open to anyone who meets the criteria of the related category. The period under review for ‘of the year’ awards will be September 2024 - September 2025.
To enter, download the application form from the award category you wish to enter above. Submit your completed application form along with your details here or send to events@geraldedelman.com.
You can supply supporting images and documents, which might include testimonials, diagrams or any media coverage.
Good luck!
Submit
Bramley has spent more than fifteen years immersed in the search fund community, working alongside, advising, and investing in searchers around the world. He is a founding partner of Victoriam Equity, a global fund committed to putting searchers first. Prior to founding Victoriam, Bramley served as Managing Director of Avanti Ventures—an established investment firm founded in 1988 and a backer of Europe’s first search fund. Over the years, he has invested in search funds across five continents.
Based in Barcelona, Bramley is the former Director of the International Search Fund Center, where he led major initiatives including the International Search Fund Conference—the largest event of its kind outside the U.S.—and the European Investors Summit. He also founded the European CEO Summit and the Women in Search Forum. His contributions to the community include contributions to Jan Simon’s book Search Funds & Entrepreneurial Acquisitions, an appearance on the Found and Funded podcast, and support in completing the 2024 IESE Selected Observations Study. Bramley continues to mentor aspiring searchers as they begin their journey toward acquiring and leading companies.
Founding Partner - Victoriam Equity
Alex is the MD of Workpays, an employability and skills training provider based in the Midlands with ten offices and over 100 staff. Alex acquired the company in 2021 through his search fund, Coniston Peak, which he set up in 2020, bringing together global investors to build a leading training provider. Since acquisition, the company has doubled its revenue and grown its reach and Alex now regularly writes for FE News, the industry’s leading news outlet. Before founding Coniston Peak, Alex worked in investment banking in New York. He started his career as a parliamentary aide for a senior Labour MP and subsequently worked at Citi in equity research and as Director of Strategy of New York Public Radio.
MD of Workpays
Lisa’s career began as a Senior Crown Prosecutor in Greater Manchester. Following an enjoyable six years, she left to set up her own venture in the field of marketing and business development working with several household names including Fidelity, Barclays and Addleshaw Goddard.
Lisa qualified as a business coach and took that experience back into Pannone LLP as Head of Entrepreneurial Services. In this role, Lisa worked directly with SMEs, OMBs and Entrepreneurs to help deliver exemplary client service and built a model to provide a new holistic service to NW clients.
Lisa joined DWF LLP to lead the Client Programmes, a role which took her all over the world, leading to the firm’s IPO in 2019. Leading a team of ten client relationships managers took Lisa away from the coal face and in 2020 she accepted a role as Client Relationship Director at Taylor Vinters (now merged with Mishcon de Reya). In this role she built a model to illustrate how the firm could help Entrepreneurs with their whole client journey from inception to exit. At JMW, Lisa is focussed on achieving best-in-class client satisfaction as well as growing and expanding the client’s loyal customer base.
Client Relationship Partner at JMW
We'd love for you to come along and celebrate with us!
If you would like to attend this year's ETA Awards, please complete the form to the right including your details, your role and where you heard about the event.
Early bird tickets for the ETA Awards are £75 per person, which includes canapés and drinks, and are only available to purchase in May 2025.
Limited tickets are available for all other service providers and supporters of the community.
Submit
This will vary depending on the award, so it is important to read the eligibility criteria carefully before submitting an entry.
To enter, download the application form from the award category you wish to enter above. Submit your completed application form via the form above or send to events@geraldedelman.com. You can supply supporting images and documents, which might include testimonials, diagrams or any media coverage. The deadline for submissions is 5 September.
The nominations will be released on Friday 3 October 2025.
While we don't expect tuxedos and ballgowns, the dress code is cocktail for this event. It's a special night and we want to look our best! This includes suits and ties, cocktail dresses, smart trousers and shoes.
