THEY are the deal-makers of Southampton. The corporate finance team at city-based Fanshawe Lofts is celebrating as it closes a record 12 months with 14 deals completed.

The firm specialises in funding deals for clients in the £1m to £50m turnover sector and it is this marketplace, regarded by some experts as a reflection of the economy as a whole, which has flourished.

Rosemary Penn-Newman, pictured with partner Antony Fanshawe, who heads the corporate finance division of Fansh-awe Lofts, said: "The larger deals market has been flat, but the mid market has flourished.

"This has been fuelled to some extent by the position that owner managers have found themselves in over recent years.

"With both the pensions and stock market in total disarray many business owners have been waiting to maximise the value of their business to provide an income for their retirement.

"This stalling has been noticeable for some years now and during 2004 many business owners decided that their sale was long overdue and took the plunge.

"We've had a really great year - let's hope that 2005 can bring a better year still!"