CDH clinched top honours in the DealMakers’ Awards for M&A deal flow for the seventh year running this week, as its corporate and commercial practice continues to use its strong presence in Africa and South Africa to facilitate transactions and support the growth of industries.

The team’s 79 M&A deals in 2015 had a combined value of R178bn. In addition, the firm was ranked first for deal flow and second for deal value in the corporate finance transactions legal adviser tables, having advised on 66 corporate finance deals in 2015 worth R80bn. It achieved fourth place overall in terms of M&A deal value.

To enhance internal collaboration and ensure a seamless experience for clients, CDH recently appointed the respected Mark Linington as head of its private equity sector group.

Mark's elevation comes as part of the firm’s strategy to focus and co-ordinate services around key sectors in South Africa and across Africa and to meet our clients' complex and growing requirements. CDH is gearing up for renewed growth and an exciting future following an update to its corporate branding last year and gave delegates at the SAVCA conference a taste of this new branding when it provided "wrapped" versions of Business Day for delegates on the morning of the conference.

The firm’s specialist private equity team – which cuts across all practice areas – has substantial experience in all aspects relating to fund structuring and portfolio movements for both private equity funds and strategic investment houses. The full spectrum of legal services is offered as a collaboration of experienced specialists, covering mainly corporate and commercial, competition, finance and banking and tax, and drawing from other practice areas when required.