Top award for Exeter Rugby Group

By Mark Stevens

Chairman and chief executive Tony Rowe OBE has spoken of his joy after the Exeter Rugby Group were crowned 'Company of the Year' at Thursday night's South West Dealmakers Awards.

At a glittering awards ceremony in Bristol, Mr Rowe accompanied by fellow ERG director Nigel Hall, accepted the prestigious prize in front of an audience of some 300 people at the Thistle Grand Hotel.

Exeter Rugby Group beat off stiff competition from Good Energy, Advanced Insulation and Loungers with judges highlighting the work which had been carried out by the company over the past 12 months.

Judges remarked: "There's a great buzz around the Exeter Chiefs, who are using the investment to transform their home stadium Sandy Park by doubling capacity, building three new stands, adding a 1,000-seat auditorium, and expanding conferencing and banqueting facilities."

Exeter Rugby Group were commended by judges for "running a sports club like a business" after it successfully raised £7,5m through the corporate Chiefs 2020 Bond.

Working alongside Exeter Rugby Group throughout the whole process of setting up the Chiefs 2020 Bond were Barclays Bank, Prydis, Michelmores and Isca Ventures.

Alongside the Exeter Rugby Group, both James Priday of Prydis and Mark Champion of Isca Ventures were shortlisted for Young Dealmaker of the Year and Dealmaker of the Year respectively at the same awards night.

Commenting on the award, Mr Rowe said: "Naturally we're delighted to have received this award. To be named Company of the Year for the South West is a huge accolade and one that we are immensely proud of here at the Rugby Club. It is, however, just reward for a great deal of work that has been carried out not only by the Group's Board of Directors, but also the representatives of our partners at Barclays Bank, Prydis, Michelmores and Isca Ventures.

"Setting up the Chiefs 2020 Bond was new territory for all of us, but together the various parties have worked tirelessly to achieve our goals and the proof is in the pudding with not only this award, but also the commencement of the multi-million pound works that are being carried out at Sandy Park currently.

"Our vision is to make Sandy Park the premier location not only for professional sport in the region, but also for all Conferencing and Banqueting needs. This investment is the start of that process and one that we have very high hopes for."