Churchill Asset Management, an investment specialist of Nuveen, announced it was named the 2025 “Lender Firm of the Year” by The M&A Advisor. The Firm was honored at the 24th Annual M&A Advisor Awards Gala held in New York City on November 19, 2025. Ken Kencel, President & Chief Executive Officer of Churchill, was also presented the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award and inducted into the M&A Advisor Hall of Fame at the same ceremony.

“Being recognized as ‘Lender Firm of the Year’ for the fifth year in a row is a tremendous honor and reflects the strength and consistency of our market tested strategy,” said Mr. Kencel. “We are deeply grateful to our investors and private equity sponsors for their continued confidence, and to the Churchill team whose talent and commitment drive our success.”

The annual M&A Advisor Awards recognize excellence in dealmaking by honoring the firms and professionals whose activities set the standard in M&A transacting, restructuring and deal financing. Recipients of the prestigious awards, which are determined by an independent panel of M&A experts, are selected based on professional accomplishments, community involvement and industry impact.

“Approaching the 25th anniversary of the M&A Advisor Awards, honoring the leading M&A transactions, companies and dealmakers, it gives us great pleasure to recognize Churchill Asset Management as the winner of the 2025 ‘Lender Firm of the Year,” said Roger Aguinaldo, Founder and CEO of The M&A Advisor. “We are proud to honor Churchill and the impressive firms, professionals and transactions of this 2024-25 season that set the standard for excellence in the industry.”

With over $56 billion in committed capital, Churchill was named the second most active U.S. direct lender in H1 2025 by KBRA Direct Lending Deals. In addition to providing first lien, unitranche, second lien and mezzanine debt to U.S. middle market private equity firms and their portfolio companies, Churchill also makes equity co-investments, private equity fund commitments and invests across the secondaries landscape.

Note: Churchill was selected as one of five finalists for “Lender Firm of the Year” in September 2025 by an independent panel of judges appointed by The M&A Advisor. A nominal fee was required to submit. Churchill was chosen as the winner in November 2025.