Debtwire Direct Lending Awards 

Building on the success of the previous two editions, the Direct Lending Awards return this year with even more to offer. We're celebrating the best in the industry with the introduction of five new categories and the presentation of twenty prestigious awards.

Debtwire's Direct Lending Awards recognize the top-performing European direct lending funds and regional direct lending managers. This year, we also introduced the People’s Choice Awards for the best-performing large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap European fund managers of the year.

A total of 53 funds and 22 unique managers participated, submitting their performance data for consideration. From these entries, 35 firms made it to the shortlist. The winners were revealed at a gala dinner on May 23, following the conclusion of the Debtwire Private Credit Forum Europe. Discover the winners below:

• European large-cap direct lending fund of the year - Direct Lending Fund III - Arcmont Asset Management
• European mid-market direct lending fund of the year - Pemberton European Mid-Market Debt Fund II - Pemberton Asset Management
• European small-cap direct lending fund of the year - Muzinich Pan European Private Debt Fund II - Muzinich & Co 
• European large-cap direct lending manager of the year – People’s Choice Award - Goldman Sachs Alternatives
• European mid-market direct lending manager of the year – People’s Choice Award - Ares Management
• European small-cap direct lending manager of the year – People’s Choice Award - Fiduciam
• ESG direct lending manager of the year - Tikehau Capital 
• Nordic direct lending manager of the year - Ture Invest
• France direct lending manager of the year - Eurazeo
• DACH & Poland direct lending manager of the year - Arcmont Asset Management
• UK & Ireland direct lending manager of the year  - Ares Management
• Italy direct lending manager of the year - Goldman Sachs Alternatives
• Iberia direct lending manager of the year - Oquendo Capital
• Benelux direct lending manager of the year - Ares Management
• Senior debt provider of the year - Goldman Sachs Alternatives
• Junior debt provider of the year - Tikehau Capital 
• Direct Lending deal of the year – Large-cap - Fidelis by Blackstone
• Direct Lending deal of the year – Mid-market - Ergo-med by Blackstone
• Direct Lending deal of the year – Small-cap - DigitalPlatforms by Anthilia Capital Partners

Photos from the event can be found here.