A NELSON-based communications firm is celebrating after winning a prestigious accolade at the North West Dealmaker awards.

Daisy Group PLC scooped the Deal of the Year prize in recognition of its £204 million reverse takeover of Freedom 4 and flotation on the Alternative Investment Market.

The company also enjoyed success in the AIM deal of the year category.

Daisy’s corporate development director, Steve Smith said: “It was brilliant to get the recognition with this award.

“I’m not sure how many people have followed the Daisy story but what was important about the reverse takeover and flotation was the position it placed us in to carry out key acquisitions and the strength it gave us to stay ahead of our competitors.”

The deal, completed in July, freed up £50 million and allowed Daisy to pursue its strategy of consolidating the reseller market, with the acquisitions of Vialtus, Eurotel, AT Communications and Redstone Telecom able to be completed in quick succession.

Daisy Group chief executive Matthew Riley paid tribute to those that had made the deal possible. He said: “To be awarded Deal of the Year is a great achievement and is testament to the efforts of a very hard working team that has so far made 2009 a successful year.”