Unquote" Awards: Tips for entering

Q: Where do I find a list of categories and entry forms?
A: All the information can be found on www.britishprivateequityawards.com. There are links to the entry forms on the Award Categories tab or Enter Now tab. Some of these forms are for more than one category, so do circle the appropriate one (for example if you're entering for "House of the Year" be sure to circle VCT, VC, Buyout; if you're entering Fund Advisory, make it clear whether you're a secondaries specialist, placement agent, fund administrator, etc).

Q: What should I do with my completed submission and entry form?
A: These will need to be sent to kimberly.romaine@incisivemedia.com no later than 4pm GMT on Friday 5 July 2013.

Q: Is the length / file size of the submission set in stone?
A: The submission must be no more than four pages (sides) of A4 and be attached to the online entry form in a Microsoft Word format no bigger than 500KB. Our judges are incredibly busy people who will become quickly frustrated at submissions that are too long. Equally, they are unimpressed by cut and pasted press releases. Submissions that are more than four pages long may be rejected and judges have full discretion to deduct marks from submissions that are more than four pages long.

Q: How are winners determined?
A: A panel of key industry professionals will discuss the entries in the middle of July. (Names of judges can be found on the site). Their firms are permitted to enter, but they will be asked to leave the room during the judging panel should they do so.

Their picks comprise the Shortlist, which will be revealed the first week of September. Readers will then be asked to vote for the winners and will be given a list of shortlisted firms as well as the Executive Summary each one provided.

Tip: pack a lot into this summary; give specifics where possible - don't just say 'we are delighted to announce we raised a fund and did two deals and an exit' but provide numbers: 'during the judging period, we raised GBP Xm. We also put GBP Ym to work and generated a lucrative exit for our LPs, while at the same time increasing headcount at our portfolio companies by 10%...'. This is your chance to show unquote" readers why you deserve to win!

Results of this vote, combined with the judges' picks, will determine the winners. The winners will be announced on the night of the Awards on 3 October.

Q: Our numbers/lists are confidential. Will the information be made public?
A: Judges will see all the information you provide, but it does not go beyond the Panel. You are asked to provide a 200-word Executive Summary with the entry (on why you should win), which will be sent to unquote" readers for voting, should you make the Shortlist. So this Summary should not contain any sensitive information.

Q: Can I add logos, graphs, graphics and images to my submission?
A: Yes but the final submission must be submitted in a Microsoft Word file format and be no bigger than 500KB. This is very important as we need to send these to the judges for their assessment and, should they be any bigger, this will not be possible.

Q: Can I include supporting documentation or information alongside the submission?
A: Web links to any supporting documentation or websites can be included in the submission as part of the overall four page limit but these should not be sent separately to judges.

Judges will exercise their discretion whether to look at supporting documentation/websites. Firms will not be penalised for failure to provide additional information.

Q: My submission is 1MB – is this all right?
A: Sadly, no. The final submission must be no bigger than 500KB. This is very important as we need to email these to the judges for their assessment and, should they be any bigger, this will not be possible.

If files are received that are bigger than 500KB we will have to return them and ask you to reduce their size.

Q: Can I submit the submission in a different file format?
A: No. We can only accept Microsoft Word files no bigger than 500KB to ensure the judges can read the submissions on their computers.

Q: What exactly are we looking for?
A: The overall aim of the awards remains the same: to recognise success and innovation in the UK private equity market. This year it is also looking at how the industry Builds British Businesses – so do talk up success that goes beyond LPs' coffers!

Q: What makes a winning submission?
A: Different judges look for different things. However, you stand a much improved chance of winning the award if you focus on how you have innovated, performed and improved over the 12 months to June 30, 2013. Do not just give numbers – explain them. Provide some colour on how your firm added value and innovated to succeed. And when describing new products/innovation, make it applicable to a particular deal to really help judges understand its utility.

One of the big bugbears for judges is that, while a particular firm may have launched an amazing service or product for clients two years ago, or is the biggest firm in a particular area, the submission does not adequately demonstrate what changes and improvements it has made over the period of assessment in question.

Q: Can I include client quotes/testimonials in my submission?
A: Some judges like to see client quotes, others aren't too fussed. If you have them, they can add colour to a submission but, if not, don't worry about them.

Q: What is the deadline for receipt of submissions?
A: The deadline for the final submissions is 4pm GMT on Friday 5 July 2013. The Judges are meeting shortly thereafter and so this is a genuine deadline.

Q: Is all the information contained within the submissions treated as confidential?
A: No. The 200-word Executive Summary WILL be distributed to our readership for voting purposes if you are shortlisted. However, only the judges will see the rest of the submission.

Q: How do I buy a table at the awards?
A: For further information about table bookings, please contact Johanna Orring on johanna.orring@incisivemedia.com.

Q: Can I sponsor the awards?
A: Yes! For further information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Johanna Orring on johanna.orring@incisivemedia.com.

Q: What should I do if I have read the above FAQs and still have further questions?
A: Please could you double-check your query is not answered in any of the information above. Should you have any further queries about the awards process, please contact Kimberly Romaine on kimberly.romaine@incisivemedia.com or by calling her on 020 7316 9565.

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• Unquote British Private Equity Awards