News
LDC wins three awards at the East Midlands Dealmakers Awards 2026
22 May 2026
LDC’s East Midlands and East of England team took home three awards at Insider’s East Midlands Dealmakers Awards last night.
The team won Private Equity Team of the Year, Deal of the Year (£10m+) for its investment in Eagle Eye Innovations and David Bains, Partner and Head of the East Midlands and East of England, picked up the prestigious Dealmaker of the Year Award. The team was also Highly Commended for its exit of Aquavista to Antin Infrastructure Partners.
The awards, held at The Crowne Plaza Nottingham, shine a spotlight on the standout deals, dealmakers and organisations operating across the East Midland’s M&A community over the last 12 months.
The judges described LDC as ‘by far the most active equity player in the East Midlands’ and highlighted its impressive tally of nine transactions during the qualifying period, including investing in drone training provider, Eagle Eye Innovations, vegetarian and vegan products provider, Bespoke Kitchen Foods, and exiting Shaken Udder, Aquavista and Blis.
They praised the team’s investment in Eagle Eye Innovations as ‘an off-market deal that backs a business raising the bar in its industry.’ LDC invested in the Lincoln-based business, which provides drone training, operating and consulting services, in February 2026 to support its expansion plans in the UK and internationally.
David Bains was recognised for ‘achieving an exceptional 12 months, clearing nine transactions and taking the lead on deals such as Eagle Eye, Fire Doors Rite and Aquavista.’ In addition to leading his team to achieve an outstanding year, David, who has more than 20 years of financial and M&A experience, has also grown the team and continued to support local communities through mentoring and volunteering.
LDC extends its congratulations to all of the companies and individuals that won awards or were shortlisted at Insider’s East Midlands Dealmakers Awards 2026. You can view the full list of winners here.
LDC is by far the most active equity player in the East Midlands, LDC's tally of transactions included investing in both drone platform Eagle Eye Innovations and vegetarian group Bespoke Kitchen Foods, while exiting Shaken Udder, Aquavista and marketing agency Blis."
