First NZ Capital takes hat-trick at prize-giving

INFINZ executive director Paul Hocking said First NZ Capital's awards reflected the strong relationships the company had built in the corporate world. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Sharebroking and investment banking firm First NZ Capital was the outstanding performer in the New Zealand Herald INFINZ Awards last night, winning three categories in the event.

The company was named sharebroking firm and mergers and acquisitions house of the year.

Jason Lindsay, of First NZ Capital, received the research analyst of the year award.

Paul Hocking, executive director of INFINZ (Institute of Finance Professionals New Zealand), said First NZ Capital's awards reflected the strong relationships the company had built in the corporate world.

"You can put it down to the fact [chief executive] Scott St John and his team do a good job of delivering their services."

Hocking said the winners of all catagories represented the skills and aptitude of the financial sector, especially through the challenging business environment of last year.

"[Last year was] a year of difficulty for the markets - and the participants in and users of those markets. It can be said that, when required, the markets in New Zealand worked."

Other winners included Milford Asset Management, awarded best equity manager, and ANZ as bank of the year.

Judges said Milford - founded in 2004 - was a relatively new player in the market, but had good performance numbers and was well placed for future success.

ANZ won the bank prize in recognition of the help it gave Kiwi businesses exporting to Asia, and for its support of the rural sector.

Rob Cameron, a partner in investment banking firm Cameron Partners, was made a fellow of INFINZ. The awards are in their eighth year.


INFINZ Awards

* Excellence in treasury: Goodman Property Trust.

* Corporate communicator: Infratil.

* Bank of the year: ANZ.

* Debt deal of the year: Fonterra.

* Independent report of the year: Simmons Corporate Finance for Marlborough Lines Ltd Partial offer for Horizon Energy Distribution.

* Equity deal of the year: Fletcher Building.

* Fund manager of the year: Equity manager - Milford Asset Management; debt manager - AMP Capital Investors.

* Sharebroking firm of the year: First NZ Capital.