Memery Crystal shines in Lawyer AIM Survey

The Lawyer AIM Survey 2001 shows that Memery Crystal has increased its lead on competitors in the market.
Memery Crystal is soaring above the pack, managing to gain a 15-deal cushion in terms of the volume of floats between it and the firm in second place, Hammond Suddards Edge.
The survey covers the period from July 2000 to December 2001. In the previous year, Memery Crystal was also on top in terms of volume, with 26 AIM floats under its belt for the period January 1999 to June 2000. This year the firm has managed to beat its own record, advising on a staggering total of 34 initial public offerings (IPOs).
Hammonds has steamed its way into second place, acting on 19 AIM floats throughout the 18-month period, whereas last year the firm did not even make it onto the survey tables.
Over the past two years, the AIM market has not suffered like the Official List (see feature on page 24). According to Hammonds corporate finance partners Martin Thomas and Robert Hamill, this is because there are attractive tax breaks involved in the AIM market, making it far more appealing to investors.
The London Stock Exchange has said that AIM flotations accounted for 38 per cent of all IPOs in Western Europe last year.
Memery Crystal's success, according to corporate finance partner Greg Scott, is down to a number of factors.
"We're good at advising entrepreneurial clients," he said. "We've also built up a good relationship with intermediaries, as well as earning an excellent reputation in this field."
Memery Crystal has always had good relationships with nominated advisers and is renowned for its relationship with Seymour Pierce. Scott is quick to point out that the firm has strong relationships with many advisers, including Old Mutual Securities and Collins Stewart, which it acted for on the £7m Oystertec deal in February last year.
The full analysis of The Lawyer AIM Survey 2001 will appear in the next issue of The Lawyer (29 April).