Wilkes achieves nominations at Rainmaker Awards

Wilkes is thrilled to announce its nomination across three categories for the prestigious West Midlands Rainmaker Awards 2026. The firm has secured a spot in the Regional Legal Team category, highlighting its distinguished service and expertise in the field. Additionally, Rick Smyth, a Partner in Wilkes' Corporate team, has earned a nomination in the Changemaker category, which acknowledges individuals making a noteworthy impact on diversity and inclusion in the corporate finance community.

The nomination for Medium Deal of the Year (£10m–£50m) stems from Wilkes’ successful sale of Wow Stuff Group to Dutch toy group Troy, showcasing the firm’s growing reputation for delivering exemplary mid-market deals. Gareth O'Hara, Senior Partner at Wilkes, expressed his delight at the recognitions stating “We're delighted to have been shortlisted across three categories this year, including Regional Legal Team. It's been an outstanding year for the corporate team, and these shortlisting’s reflect the hard work and dedication everyone has put in. It's particularly pleasing to see Rick's work in the wider corporate finance community recognised in the Changemaker category, and the Wow Stuff transaction was a significant piece of work for the team.”

The Rainmaker Awards serve as a platform to celebrate the finest deals, teams, and individuals within the West Midlands corporate finance sector over the past year. The winners will be determined by peers within the corporate finance community and the awards ceremony is scheduled for 2 July at the Macdonald Burlington Hotel in Birmingham, promising to be a significant evening for the industry.