Freeths celebrates double success at Insider’s South West Dealmaker Awards 2025

Leading law firm Freeths has won Corporate Law Firm of the Year and Large Deal of the Year at Insider’s South West Dealmaker Awards 2025.

Freeths clinched the title of Corporate Law Firm of the Year after being recognised by the judges for its rapid rate of growth and expansion; from founding to one of the South West’s largest corporate finance teams over the last five years.

Having begun building Bristol’s Corporate team from scratch in 2019, it now boasts a 15-strong, multimillion pound revenue advisory team across a significant bench-strength of regional, national and international clients.

The Freeths Bristol Corporate Finance team is part of Freeths strong national Corporate Finance team, which numbers more than 140 team members across corporate, banking and tax.

The second win of the evening for the firm came for the Insider Large Deal of the Year Awards, where Freeths advised the shareholders of Bristol headquartered Hydrock Holdings Limited (Hydrock) on its sale to the Canadian listed company, Santec UK Limited. The shareholders of Hydrock included growth capital investor BGF.

Deals such as these are critical to the region’s reputation as a breeding ground for companies generating global investment interest.

Other advisors on the Hydrock deal included KPMG (CF advisors for the sellers), BGF (shareholder and investor in Hydrock), DLA Piper (legal advisors to Santec) and EY (tax and financial diligence to Santect).

Commenting on winning Corporate Law Firm of the Year, Corporate Partner and Head of Freeths South West Corporate Finance team Emily Settle said: “Our team are brilliant – they are smart and excellent M&A dealmakers. That’s why we have grown to be one of the South West’s largest Corporate Finance teams in just five years and will keep growing! Proudest shout out? People first – inclusivity and exceptional client service requires a talent-first, compassionate and energised team. Well done team – and thank you.”

Discussing the success of winning Large Deal of the Year, Partner Mohammed Abbas added: “This was a standout deal in the South West market last year, involving a number of outstanding advisers, and it’s fantastic to see it getting the recognition it deserves. As a firm, we had supported Hydrock for a number of years through its growth – including taking on investment from BGF – and we were very proud to have supported its management team and BGF through the transition to Stantec ownership.”

Freeths also initiated and sponsored the South West Dealmaker’s Environmental, Social and Governance Deal of the Year award, which recognises commitment to promoting ESG principles and demonstrating advocation for the implementation of responsible business practices. Congratulations to Thrings, Clarke Wilmott, DEFRA and Triodos Bank who  won this category.