Dow Schofield Watts and its private equity arm PHD Equity Partners have been shortlisted in six categories at this year’s Insider North West Dealmakers Awards, while deals on which the firm advised are in the running for a further three awards.

Dow Schofield Watts’ corporate finance team has been nominated for both the Corporate Finance Advisory Team of the Year and the Mid-Market Corporate Finance Advisory Team of the Year, while DSW Transaction Services is in the running for the Transaction Services Team of the Year.

The firm has also been nominated for Deal of the Year (£10m to £50m) and International Deal of the Year for its role in the sale of Manchester-based rubber compounder Berwin Group to the Swedish listed company Hexpol AB. Meanwhile PHD Equity Partners’ investment in luxury travel business 1st Class Holidays is on the shortlist for Deal of the Year (sub £10m) award.

Dow Schofield Watts also advised LDC on the sale of specialist caterer Elior Group to Paris-based Waterfall Catering Group, which is in the running for Deal of the Year (£10m to £50m) and International Deal of the Year; and it advised the management of the New World Trading Company, which is behind restaurant and bar brands The Oast House and The Botanist, on its sale to Graphite Capital which has been nominated for Deal of the Year (£50m plus).

The winners will be announced at a special gala dinner taking place on Thursday, 20 October 2016 at Manchester Central.