The Your Money Direct Awards 2007 ceremony at London’s Merchant Taylors’ Hall in Threadneedle Street, opposite the Bank of England, was the usual glittering occasion this year.

The great and the good from the winning companies (and Your Money staffers) gathered in an Arab-style marquee erected in the courtyard and enjoyed the gyrations of a snake-toting belly dancer and her whirling cohorts before being called to dinner.

After a sumptuous North African feast, washed down with the finest wines that the budget permitted, the assembled throng listened spellbound to rogue trader Nick Leeson give an account of his time at Barings Bank from the moment he passed his job interview (”the worst decision they ever made”) to the actual crash of Barings (”I’m the only man who wrote a cheque and the bank bounced”).

Nick then handed out the prizes to the accompaniment of the London Gay Male Voice Choir, who were in fine voice throughout the evening.

Already tired and emotional guests then repaired to the courtyard to discuss their wins or to bop till they dropped at the discotheque, which played a fab selection of hot discs.

It all happens again next year.

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