Most inflatable deal: City firm Macfarlanes acted for Air-Sea Survival Equipment on the sale of Survitec Group for an undisclosed sum to SGL. Survitec designs and manufactures inflatable life saving equipment for the marine and aerospace industries. National firm Hammonds advised the purchaser, while Belfast-based Tughans acted for management.


Most systematic deal: London firm Bignalls acted for the management in the sale of KPOS Computer Systems, the retail IT supplier, to Torex for £8.7 million. Swindon-based Clark Holt advised the buyer.



Spiciest deal: City firm Travers Smith Braithwaite acted for Primary Capital and the management shareholders on the disposal of The British Pepper & Spice Company (BPSC) to SHS Group for an undisclosed sum. BPSC is a leading UK-based manufacturer of herbs, spices and seasonings. Belfast firm L'Estrange & Brett acted for SHS.



Most communicative deal: City firm Kemp Little acted for SESI, the developer of software for telecom operators, on its recent £2 million investment from venture capital group Quester. Bristol-headquartered Osborne Clarke advised Quester.



Best managed deal: City firm Taylor Wessing advised iimia, the investment management group set up in 2002 by south-west firms Foot Anstey Sargent and Michelmores, on its merger with Exeter Investment Group. The combined business will have close to £500 million in funds under management. Bristol firm Burges Salmon advised Exeter.



Most clinical deal: City firm Ashurst acted for Arakis in relation to its £29 million third-round financing, which was jointly led by Novo A/S and Scottish Equity Partners. Arakis is a specialty pharmaceutical company, with a focus on inflammatory diseases and oncology adjunct therapy. The financing will enable the company to progress its product line through clinical trials. City firm Macfarlanes advised Scottish Equity and Novo.