Gongs and gags at the Banker’s Awards
To the Investment Banking Awards at the end of last week, to prematurely welcome in the weekend (“go hard on Thursday or go home in shame” was the sentiment being bandied about).
The Banker magazine’s annual black-tie soiree at The Sheraton on Park Lane welcomed many familiar faces from the world of investment banking.
The Capitalist spotted some less familiar ones too, such as delegates from CIMB Investment Bank, who had flown over from Kuala Lumpur to take home a Brendan Bracken-shaped trophy for innovation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Also spotted was Eric Daniels, the former Lloyds Bank chief executive who has now taken a job at advisory firm StormHarbour. Daniels hasn’t been heard of much since his departure from Lloyds but perhaps his new role allows more time for social networking.
The evening began with a lukewarm pun from Brian Caplan, editor of The Banker: “Tonight let’s not worry about the Libor, unless we have one sitting next to us.”
It was left to Rothschild to score the big laughs when one team member, who may have rather been enjoying the Chablis, exited the stage a little too quickly – taking a tumble swiftly off the edge.
The mining team at Jefferies, celebrating a $350m bond issue that closed that night for First Quantum in addition to the growth companies award, deserve special mention for social stamina.
Not only did they take the afterparty to Nobu and then later to neighbouring Funky Buddha, they bumped into comedian David Walliams along the way.
Fans of “Spot the City Landmark,” hold your horses. The quiz returns tomorrow.