Wake Smith Solicitors’ corporate legal work has been shortlisted in the Yorkshire Rainmakers Awards 2026 which highlights the very best of the region's deals, teams and people.
The successful management buyout of Rotherham-based Home Décor, one of the leading suppliers of sliding door and interior solutions in Europe, by the company’s executive team, has been selected as a finalist in the Small Deal of the Year (up to £10m) category.
Wake Smith Solicitor’s director and head of company commercial Rebecca Robinson advised HSBC on the transaction documents.
The MBO of Home Decor enabled the management team to buy out the shares held by private equity investor Cerberus Investment Group and led to a defining moment for the firm as the executive team Jason Limbert, Chief Executive Officer; Neil Martin, Contract Sales Director; and Jon Griffiths, Sales & Marketing Director increased their minority shareholding to take full ownership of the company.
This is the second shortlisting for the Home Decor MBO this month – which is also up for the Deal of the Year (sub £10m) accolade at the Insider South Yorkshire Dealmakers Awards 2026.
Yorkshire’s Rainmaker Awards brings together the region’s deals community to celebrate the best transactions and teams from the past 12 months, as voted for by the corporate finance community themselves.
The shortlist was drawn up at a judging day attended by 40 senior professionals from across the Yorkshire corporate finance community who reviewed entries and peer-led nominations.
Winners will be announced at the awards takes place on June 11 at New Dock Hall in Leeds.
The shortlisting adds to Wake Smith’s six nominations at Insider’s South Yorkshire Dealmakers Awards where it is a finalist in the Corporate Law Firm of the year; Deal of the Year (£10m plus); Private Equity Deal of the Year, Venture Capital Deal of the Year and Deal of the Year (sub £10m).
Rebecca said: “We are extremely pleased to make the Rainmakers’ shortlist.
“The financial support and vote of confidence by HSBC in the region enabled the MBO and secured a bright future for a proud South Yorkshire design, build and maintenance company as a market leading supplier of sliding door and interior solutions in Europe.
“It also retains a South Yorkshire-based business securely in the region and job security for 144 employees plus potential workforce increases through the next chapter of the company’s growth.”
Home Decor currently manufactures more than 250,000 doors each year and supply the hardware to manufacture one million more.
For further advice on how your business can move forward with Wake Smith contact Rebecca Robinson, head of company commercial and director at Wake Smith Solicitors on 0114 224 2025 or email [email protected]
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