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Lester Aldridge is delighted to announce that the firm has been named a finalist in six award categories at the South Coast Deals Awards 2026, recognising the strength of its Commercial Group and its involvement in a number of standout transactions across the region.
The firm has been shortlisted in the following categories:
- Corporate Law Firm of the Year
- Deal of the Year (over £50m) for the sale of the Graham Care portfolio to Hartford Care
- Deal of the Year (£10m – £50m) for the sale of Breeze Motor Group and Ocean Automotive to Van Mossel Automotive Group
- Deal of the Year (under £10m) for Neutonic’s $3.7 million funding round
- Deal of the Year (under £10m) for the sale of Building Monitoring Services to Celnor Group
- Lawyer of the Year – Jamie Earley, Partner and Head of Corporate
The South Coast Deals Awards celebrate the achievements of the corporate finance community across the South Coast, recognising the advisers, businesses and individuals behind the region’s most significant transactions.
The shortlisted transactions showcase the breadth of expertise across Lester Aldridge’s Commercial Group, with nominations recognising work delivered by both the Corporate and Health & Social Care teams. Among the recognised deals is the sale of the Graham Care portfolio to Hartford Care, which has been shortlisted in the Deal of the Year (over £50m) category.
The nominations reflect another successful year for Lester Aldridge’s Commercial Group, which has advised on a range of complex and high-profile deals spanning acquisitions, disposals, investments and strategic growth transactions.
Jamie Earley, Partner and Head of Corporate at Lester Aldridge, said:
“We are delighted to be recognised across so many categories at this year’s South Coast Deals Awards. These nominations reflect the quality of our clients, the strength of the deals we have worked on, and the commitment of our team.
“To be shortlisted for Corporate Law Firm of the Year, alongside four deal nominations and a Lawyer of the Year nomination, is a fantastic achievement. We look forward to celebrating with our clients and industry peers in September.”
Grant Esterhuizen, Chair and Head of the Commercial Group at Lester Aldridge, commented:
“Being shortlisted in six categories is a fantastic achievement and reflects the depth of expertise across our Commercial Group. We are proud to have supported clients on a number of significant transactions over the past year and are delighted to see that work recognised.
“Congratulations to our teams and clients on these nominations, and we look forward to celebrating with our fellow finalists in September.”
Winners will be announced at the South Coast Deals Awards 2026 on 10 September 2026 at the Leonardo Royal Southampton, where members of the corporate finance community will come together to celebrate excellence in dealmaking across the region.
For more information about the awards, visit the South Coast Deals Awards website.
