Creditflux announces finalists for European Direct Lending Awards

By Robin Armitage

Monday, May 09, 2022

Creditflux and Debtwire are delighted to announce the shortlist for their annual European Direct Lending Awards - expanded and with its own event for the first time.

All funds and deals under consideration were submitted in the last few weeks, with finalists being chosen purely on analysis of the underlying data.

Earlier in the year, Creditflux reported that 2021 fundraising for European direct lending funds swelled to €36 billion, almost pushing past the previous record €37 billion in 2019. Following this, we received submissions for nearly 30 funds from 15 managers – the most the category has ever seen. According to Debtwire Par, just under 900 direct lending deals and investments were made across Europe in 2021.

To reflect the growing size of the market, the direct lending awards were separated from the Creditflux Manager Awards for the first time this year. The winners will be revealed at the end of the Debtwire Direct Lending Forum on 17 May at The Biltmore Mayfair in London. For more information on how to attend please click here.

Deal	Manager
Best European mid-market direct lending fund
ACE III	Ares Management
Kartesia Credit Opportunities V	Kartesia
European Loan Partners	Park Square Capital
Pemberton Mid-Market Debt Fund III (A)	Pemberton Asset Management
Best European large-cap direct lending fund
Best European large-cap direct lending fund
European Senior Debt Fund II (Unlevered)	Blackstone Credit
Park Square Capital Partners III	Park Square Capital
Park Square Capital Partners IV	Park Square Capital
KKR Lending Partners Europe II (USD Levered)	KKR
Most active European mid-market direct lending manager
Most active European mid-market direct lending manager
Ares Management
Barings
Eurazeo
Tikehau
Most active European large-cap direct lending manager
Most active European large-cap direct lending manager
Ares Management
Barings
Blackstone
Pemberton