Corporate Finance Teamof the Year Switzerland Page 16 Xavier Ledru REYL & Cie SA
M&A Awards2022 FM Welcome to the 2022 edition of the Finance Monthly M&A Awards. Finance Monthly closely follows developments across the business world, working closely with the movers behind some of the most important deals in the market. As such, the publication is well placed to recognise and celebrate the individuals, companies and advisory firms who apply their expertise to ensure such deals can happen. Geopolitical turmoil and a pandemic-fuelled economic shock have led to a downturn in M&A this year, but the most ambitious minds in the sector have continued to pursue excellence in spite of obstacles. These awards are an opportunity for Finance Monthly team to acknowledge these exceptional talents and their efforts in closing major deals across every industry. Two such talents are Xavier Ledru, Head of Corporate Finance at REYL Intesa Sanpaolo, and Paul Bougnoux, President of Largillière Finance, who have shared the secrets of their success in two exclusive interviews. The 2022 edition also features a plethora of winner profiles that shine a spotlight on the highest-achieving professionals in the M&A scene. We at Finance Monthly are proud to present this special publication. Congratulations to all of our winners and finalists. 5 www.finance-monthly.com Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022 Introduction
Introducing the Winners... M&A Awards2022 FM Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022 Index 6 www.finance-monthly.com
EUROPE AUSTRIA Christoph Rauch Paragon GmbH Sell Side M&A Consultancy Firm of the Year Wolfgang Scehnk demps & partner Restructuring Experts of the Year BELGIUM Moody’s Analytics Moody’s Analytics Structured Finance Buy-Side Advisory Firm of the Year Stephane Delodder Bridgefield Corporate Finance International M&A Adviser of the Year DENMARK Troels Fellov Larsen Translution Capital Capital Markets Adviser of the Year 38 ESTONIA Maivi Ots Eversheds Sutherland M&A Lawyer of the Year FRANCE Jean-René Griton Aurignac Finance Investment Banking Adviser of the Year 39 Paul Bougnoux Largillière Finance Transaction Advisory M&A Adviser of the Year 21 Stéphane Pichon Your Care Consult Healthcare M&A Adviser of the Year Jean-Paul Faucounau Cabinet Touton Faucounau Accounting & Auditing Adviser of the Year et Associés GERMANY Alexander von Hachenburg FERBER & CO. GMBH Mid-Market Corporate Finance Advisory Firm of the Year 25 Christian Faber Bette Westenberger Brink Banking and Capital Markets Law Firm of the Year 29 Rechtsanwälte Partnerschaft GmbB Michael Kohlhase Dr. Kohlhase GmbH Investment Funds Adviser of the Year 18 Thomas Ludwig Ludwig & Co. Investment Banking Firm of the Year 40 HUNGARY Levente Almási RSM Hungary M&A Advisory Firm of the Year 41 Orsolya GÖRGÉNYI SZECSKAY ATTORNEYS M&A Law Adviser of the Year AT LAW ITALY Ludovico Mantovani Pirola Corporate Finance Corporate Transactions Adviser of the Year 42 Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022 Index 7 www.finance-monthly.com
NETHERLANDS Derk Jan Helleman Florin Finance M&A Advisory Firm of the Year 44 Eric Tierie Xegasus Aviation Investments Aviation M&A Adviser of the Year Marc Broekema BFI Valuation & Appraisal Adviser of the Year POLAND Marcin Macieszczak Gessel M&A Law Adviser of the Year 45 PORTUGAL Pedro Xavier Triple A - Capital & Finance Corporate Finance Adviser of the Year Rui Trindade Taminno Corporate Finance Advisory Firm of the Year SPAIN Bosco Salaverri SOCIOS Corporate Finance Corporate Finance Adviser of the Year 46 SWITZERLAND Alex Gut Gut Corporate Finance AG Corporate Finance Advisory Firm of the Year Andrés Zweig Ramus & Company AG M&A Advisory Firm of the Year 47 Xavier Ledru REYL & Cie SA Corporate Finance Team of the Year 16 Matthieu Chamorel DYN | FIDUCIAIRE Financial Services Company of the Year Nelson Pena IMCI+ Group Corporate Finance Adviser Firm of the Year UNITED KINGDOM Abrar Kayani AAK & Co. Business Advisory and Consulting Firm of the Year 26 Abrar Kayani Abrar Ali Kayani & Co Business Advisory and Consulting Firm of the Year Adam Hart London Bridge Capital Due Diligence M&A Adviser of the Year Partners Alex Sansom Unbound Real Estate Real Estate M&A Adviser of the Year Bruce Ramsay Consulting M&A Limited M&A Consulting Firm of the Year Craig Headford Freight Mergers Ltd Freight Forwarding & Logistics M&A Consultancy of the Year David O’Reilly Wimbledon Park Capital The UKs Leading Corporate Finance Advisory Firm DC Advisory DC Advisory Infrastructure M&A Adisory Firm of the Year Faisal Sheikh University of Business & Management Consulting Adviser of the Year Salford Manchester 8 www.finance-monthly.com Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022 Index
Guy Townsend Walker Hamill Private Equity Recruitment Service of the Year Jason Evans Gambit Corporate Finance Debt Adviser of the Year 49 Jonathan Buxton Oaklins Cavendish Consumer & Retail M&A Adviser of the Year Jonathan Waters MY INHOUSE LAWYER LIMITED Alternative Dispute Resolution Adviser of the Year Kevin Mawer Forensic Recovery Limited Insolvency & Restructuring Adviser of the Year Med Evans Darwin Wealth Management Pensions Adviser of the Year Mel Storer BKPS Chartered Management Accountants Firm of the Year Mohamed Ebrahim Everest Fin Edu Tech Limited Financial Solutions Service of the Year Oaklins Smith & Williamson Oaklins Smith & Williamson M&A sell-side Firm of the Year Rachel Bryant Trinity IP Solutions Insolvency Adviser of the Year Seonaid Mackenzie Sturgeon Ventures LLP Start-UP Advisor of the Year Simon Woodcock LAVA Advisory Partners M&A Consulting Adviser of the Year Steve Bicknell Bicknell Business Advisers Specialist Accounting Firm of the Year Technology Holdings Technology Holdings Mid-Market M&A Advisory Firm of the Year 32 Wyatts Wyatts Accountancy Firm of the Year John Farrugia finnCap Group Corporate Finance Adviser of the Year 51 Richard Hall Zenith Global Ltd Food and Beverage M&A Adviser of the Year AMERICAS ARGENTINA Alfredo Rovira Estudio Rovira Corporate Acquisitions Adviser of the Year Atilio González Grupo KINE Corporate Recovery Adviser of the Year BRAZIL Daniel Rivera Elit Capital Sucession Planning Adviser of the Year Felipe Manara Stoic Capital Corporate Finance M&A Advisory Firm of the Year 54 Numeris Consultoria Numeris Consultoria Accounting & Auditing Firm of the Year Beatriz Degani Quatá Confidence Capital Financial Advisory Firm of the Year 56 9 www.finance-monthly.com Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022 Index
CANADA Ed Bryant Sampford Advisers Mid Market Tech M&A Advisory Firm of the Year 30 Diane Horton Tequity Advisors Sell-Side M&A Adviser of the Year 57 MEXICO Luis G. Ramírez V. Luis G. Ramírez V. Mergers & Acquisitions Adviser of the Year 58 Alejandra Paredones BSI Capital Group Financial Advisory Firm of the Year 59 QATAR Andrew Wingfield Simmons & Simmons Corporate and M&A Lawyer of the Year SAUDI ARABIA Ahmed Saud Hamzah Ghouth Alkhabeer Capital Corporate Finance Adviser of the Year SINGAPORE Desmond Teo EY Singapore Tax Advisory Firm of the Year USA Atif Khan Ethica Institute of Capital Markets Adviser of the Year Islamic Finance Manuel Candal CANDAL ADVISORS INC Trust planning Adviser of the Year Marcia McKinney NEI Advisors Insurance Advisory Firm of the Year Ran Assaf M+A Squared LLC Cross-border M&A Adviser of the Year Thomas Stroyne Golden Strategies Financial Services Advisor of the Year Financial Group Jeff Pickett Connor Group IPO Adviser of the Year 61 Joe Hellman Redpath and Company M&A Transactions Adviser of the Year ASIA CHINA Feier Cheng Corporate Finance M&A Advisory Firm of the Year 64 International (CFI) Leonidas Leonidakos Leaf Legal Cross Border Transactions Firm of the Year 35 10 www.finance-monthly.com Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022 Index
Steve Yu Osborne Clarke China M&A Lawyer of the Year 23 INDIA Kamal Rungta RCS Advisors M&A Advisory Firm of the Year 65 MALAYSIA Dato Wan Asmadi Wan Ahmad DWA Advisory Corporate Finance Adviser of the Year 43 QATAR Pawel Banach ValuStrat Business Valuations Adviser of the Year 66 SAUDI ARABIA Ahmed Saud Hamzah Ghouth Alkhabeer Capital Corporate Finance Adviser of the Year 67 AFRICA NIGERIA Dan Agbor Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie Banking and Finance Law Adviser of the Year 70 SOUTH AFRICA African Payment Solutions African Payment Solutions Payment Solutions Platform of the Year Chris Christos Van Hulsteyns Attorneys Mergers & Acquisitions Adviser of the Year Mametja Moshe Moshe Capital Investment Adviser of the Year 71 AUSTRALASIA AUSTRALIA Michael Parker Queenscorp Insurance Services Insurance Brokerage Adviser of the Year Queenscorp Insurance Services Queenscorp Insurance Services Insurance Brokerage Advisory Firm of the Year Rajesh Yohannan Axi Most Innovative Trading Technology Platform 11 www.finance-monthly.com Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022 Index
12 www.finance-monthly.com Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022 Index
Finance Monthly Taxation Awards 2022 Index 13 www.finance-monthly.com Fi ance Monthly M&A Awards 20 2
Xavier Ledru REYL Intesa Sanpaolo Michael Kohlhase Dr. Kohlhase asset management company Ltd Paul Bougnoux Largillière Finance Steve Yu Osborne Clarke China FERBER & CO. GmbH Abrar Ali Kayani AAK & Co. Christian Faber Bette Westenberger Brink Sampford Advisors Technology Holdings Leaf Legal Featured Winners 16 18 20 22 25 26 29 30 32 35
CORPORATE FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. SWI TZERLAND REYL Intesa Sanpaolo Xavier Ledru, Managing Director & Head of Corporate Finance An InterviewWith Xavier Ledru Please tell us a bit about REYL. REYL is one of the only private bank in Switzerland offering a complete range of services comparable to its largest peers while remaining committed to providing the highest level of service and dedicated personalised attention to each client. Our services have historically evolved around a specific type of client: the entrepreneur. The very essence of the REYL Group is based above all on the provision of services to entrepreneurs as well as to their businesses and families. The Corporate Finance services we offer include mergers and acquisitions (M&A), debt advisory, capital markets, restructurings and private equity. We make this wide range of services available to international groups active in a wide range of sectors from consumer goods, renewable energy, media and telecommunications, through to healthcare, real estate and hospitality. TheCorporateFinance teamprovides valuationadvice, identifies buyers, prepares marketing documents, manages public and private auction processes and leads negotiations until financial close. It also advises prospective buyers in identifying and contacting potential targets, coordinates financial and legal due diligence and secures acquisition financing. What’s the story of REYL? Founded by Dominique Reyl in 1973 and led by François Reyl since 2008, REYL Intesa Sanpaolo is a diversified and entrepreneurial banking organisation providing financial advisory services and investment solutions to private and institutional clients. The REYL Group serves a clientele of
Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. SWI TZERLAND 17 international entrepreneurs, family offices and institutional investors through five business lines: Wealth Management, Entrepreneur & Family Office Services, Corporate Finance, Asset Services and Asset Management, enabling efficient provision of solutions addressing the increasingly complex needs of its clients, without silos or artificial internal segmentation. REYL has undergone a major evolution over the past 18 months, culminating in the strategic partnership with Fideuram - Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking which has brought significant opportunities to further enhance our presence across Europe. While our clients have benefited from these recent developments, they have also been able to rely on us to provide consistently high-quality, value-added services through the same 360° business model with which they are familiar and for which they choose to partner with us for their financial needs. What are REYL’s mission and vision? REYLGroup’s values are rooted in four key terms: commitment, ingenuity, empathy and integrity; Commitment - We are fiercely committed to helping our clients achieve their set goals and realise their ambitions. Ingenuity - We differentiate ourselves by providing creative solutions to the most complex issues that each of our clients may face. Empathy - Our greatest satisfaction in our profession is derived from staying close to people’s reality and taking on a positive, valuable role in every way we can. Integrity - We have created a working environment in which everyone maintains without question the highest ethical standards. What are the latest milestones for the Corporate Finance team? Early this year, we acted as financial advisor to ACS Group, a European leader in construction, infrastructure and services, for the sale of its renewable energy business to Vinci for a total purchase price of €4.9bn. A few months after, we acted as sole financial advisor to Toyota Industries Corporation for the acquisition of the Viastore Group, a German leading logistics system integrator. In September, we acted as financial advisor to Les Etincelles group in the setting-up of a EUR 150m partnership with RoundShield Partners to finance the acquisition of a series of assets in high-altitude resorts. More recently, wewere involved as sole financial advisor to a German project developer on a flagship energy-efficient property transaction in Berlin, and to Panolin Group on the sale of its Environmentally Considerate Lubricants business to Shell Lubricants. The latter is a great example of the seamless cooperation with our Zurich branch, in a full 360° approach to the needs of entrepreneurial clients. These collective achievements allow us to position the REYL Corporate Finance team as a trusted and credible partner for mid and large cap transactions in Europe. What differentiates you from other banks? We are at the crossroads of different ecosystems, applying the key principles of wealth management expected by our clients to investment banking. We operate globally, providing tailored advice for mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets transactions, private debt, private equity and club deals, as well as restructuring, where we support our clients in their discussions with their financial partners in order to achieve the best possible conditions whilst maintaining a constructive dialogue with them. We are establishing our expertise in several areas, including industrials, consumer goods, real estate and hospitality or technology, media and telecommunications. We are increasingly present in the renewables space where we are developing a wide network of clients and investors. We are slowly recognised as an important player in this field of renewable energy, and we are proud of this. Our clients value our long-term approach with them. This, along with our 360° approach, where we work in total synergy with the bank’s other business lines set us apart from other banks. Our most important differentiator is undoubtedly our human capital. I am extremely proud to be part of a team with such high human values, which is composed of very experienced, hands-on senior people coupled with dynamic, younger individuals which, for most of them, were recruited as interns. This award is theirs. They are all characterised by a truly unique team spirit and perfectly embrace the bank’s values. It is my mission to help all of them thrive and achieve their personal and professional goals. What does this award mean to you? I am honoured that the success and growth of REYL’s Corporate Finance business line is being recognised by this award. Whilst REYL has undergone a series of developments in recent years, it should be noted that at the heart of everything we do is always the delivery of excellent service to our clients. I believe this award is also an acknowledgement of the trust that our clients place in us every day.
INVESTMENT FUNDS ADVISER OF THE YEAR Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. GERMANY
Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. GERMANY 19 Michael Kohlhase Managing Director Dr. Kohlhase asset management company Ltd “Our roots lie in the field of interestbearing investments and form the focus of our daily work.” About Michael Kohlhase Dr. Kohlhase Vermögensverwaltungsgesellschaft mbH has been serving private and institutional clients on the subject of asset management for over 40 years. Our roots lie in the field of interest-bearing investments and form the focus of our daily work. Through the DKO funds, we implement our strategies in the bond sector. An equity fund of funds and an asset management fund round off the range. The NESTOR funds cover promising themes/ segments in the equity sector. Here we work together with external fund managers who are distinguished by sound specialist knowledge in the respective area. With these two product lines, we have a high-performance fund offering in the securities sector that is accessible to a broad audience. Our current favourite funds are: DKO-Aktien Global (DF); Equity-fund of funds; LU0138410633; EUR DKO-Renten Spezial; Corporates Investment-Grade and Sub-Investment-Grade; LU0386792104; EUR NESTOR Australia -B-; Equity Australia; LU014778119; EUR
TRANSACTION ADVISER OF THE YEAR Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. FRANCE
Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. FRANCE 21 Paul Bougnoux CEO Largillière Finance About Paul Bougnoux Following several years in audit and corporate finance advisory firms, Paul held executive positions in several companies where he was in charge of the growth strategy. Including fundraising strategies (IPOs, investor relations, debt raising…), as well as advising shareholders on potential mergers and acquisitions. He founded Largillière Finance in 2005 with Tanguy Mantelin and drives its strong growth with a team of more than 25 investment bankers supported by highlevel advisors. Paul is a regular lecturer in M&A and Finance at ESCP Business School. He is the General Secretary of the National Chamber of Financial Advisors and Experts (CNCEF). He is an auditor of the 57th National Session “Armaments and Defense Economy” of IHEDN, the French Institute of Advanced Studies in National Defense under the French Prime Minister. Paul is graduated from ESCP Business School, University of California, Berkeley and ISC Paris. Firm Profile Founded in 2005, Largillière Finance is an independent investment bank located in Paris, Lyon, Brussels, and Geneva and dedicated to small & midcap transactions. We provide comprehensive advisory services to our clients at all stages of the client’s lifecycle on sell-side mandates, LBOs, fundraisings, capital restructuring operations and offer strategic advisory services. A deep understanding of the evolution, challenges and opportunities across key industries enables us to have value-added strategic dialogue with our clients with a high level of execution. We are specialized in financial services, business services, industrials, technology and digital services, and healthcare. The Largillière Finance team is made up of more than 25 investments bankers. It is supported by a network of top advisors with expert technical skills and high-level industry insights. Our teams work together using a unique methodology underpinned by teamwork, client service and a constant exchange of information. Worldwide, we operate on all continents thanks to our global network of investment banks “#Network International”, which brings together more than 300 investment bankers (Banco Sabadell - Corporate Finance in Spain, Scouting Capital Advisors in Italy, Network Corporate Finance in Germany, …) in 30 countries (Europe, USA, Asia, ...). Contact Paris • Lyon • Brussels • Geneva www.largilliere-finance.com +33 1 46 10 07 96 info@largilliere-finance.com
M&A LAWYER OF THE YEAR E: steve.yu@zylegal.com T: +86 21 6279.8808
Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. CHINA 23 Steve Yu Co-Managing Partner Osborne Clarke China About Steve Yu Steve (Guangyu) Yu is a founder of Osborne Clarke’s international legal practice in China. He previously led the China operations for major US and European law firms. As China Co-Managing Partner, Mr. Yu’s role includes directing Osborne Clarke’s three-dimensional client strategy in China, combining legal expertise, sector understanding and transformational insight to help clients shape their future in China. The strategy responds to global mega-trends that are transforming business, such as digital transformation, the transition to a net zero future and adapting the ever-evolving urban dynamics of how people live, work and travel. With a background in mergers and acquisitions, corporate and finance transactions, Mr. Yu’s practice encompasses a broad range of acquisitions and divestitures, restricted industry investments, consolidation and restructuring transactions, direct foreign investments and franchising. A large proportion of Mr. Yu’s practice involves acting for clients in the digital business sector. A significant amount of this work involves cross-border transactions, strategic technology licensing, R&D and commercialization of IP rights. He argued one of China’s first Internet-related unfair competition cases. Alongside this, Mr. Yu is one of the first Chinese lawyers advising western clients on China’s emerging antitrust law. He is individually recognized in “Country Survey – China Competition Practice” by Global Competition Review. With extensive experience in corporate governance, Mr. Yu advises leading US and British non-for-profit organizations and charities promoting education and environmental sustainability. He sits on the supervisory board of two Britishinvested companies in China. He is a frequent speaker on China-related policies, regulatory and business issues. Mr. Yu received his LL.B. from NCUT in Beijing, and his LL.M. from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in Chicago. Firm Profile Osborne Clarke is an international legal practice with offices in the UK, USA, Germany, China, France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, India via BTG Legal, Poland and Singapore. The firm has over 320 partners and 1,500 legal expert spread across its 25 offices around the world.
25 www.finance-monthly.com Firm Profile FERBER & CO. – founded in 1988 – is a leading German independent advisory firm focusing on Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) and Corporate Finance in the mid-market with enterprise values ranging from € 25 million to € 500 million. Being an independent and privately-owned firm, FERBER & CO. is managed by its partners. In contrast to many of our competitors, we are not part of a larger financial institution that serves many competing interests. We serve a wide range of corporates, families, financial institutions and private equity houses from all over the world looking for un-conflicted, impartial advice with a global perspective. For more than 30 years we offer our clients comprehensive, high quality advisory services including M&A sell-side and buyside advisory as well as corporate finance advice regarding the structuring of debt and equity offerings. Our clients benefit from the extensive experience gained in a broad scope of over 300 successful transactions with accumulated enterprise values of over € 15 billion. Since most transactions have a cross-border dimension, FERBER & CO. is positioned as a truly international player and has built a strong global network with focus on Asia and the Americas. FERBER & CO. is uniquely positioned through the combination of in-depth sector expertise, personal access to decision makers and strong track record in three major verticals: Healthcare: Pharma, Acute & Non-Acute, Care, Pharmacies & Wholesale, Medical Devices Consumer Goods and Retail: Offline Retail and E-Commerce, Luxury Goods, Confectionary & Sweets Industrials and Capital Goods: Machinery, Industrial Engineering and Smart Services, Electrical Technology and Automation, Mobility Concepts, Construction and Building Materials, Packaging, Chemicals Contact Manfred C. Ferber and Alexander von Hachenburg FERBER & CO. GmbH Montgelasstrasse 14, 81679 Munich, Germany T: +49-89-419516-0 F: +49-89-419516-21 E: info@ferberco.com W: www.ferberco.com MID-MARKET CORPORATE FINANCE FIRM OF THE YEAR Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. Germany Alexander von Hachenburg Partner Manfred C. Ferber Partner
BUSINESS AND CONSULTING ADVISER OF THE YEAR Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. UNI TED K INGDOM www.aakayani.co.uk
Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. UNI TED K INGDOM 27 Abrar Ali Kayani Consultant and Entrepreneur AAK & Co. “To be a successful consultant, one needs to have passion and the ability to put together strategies that can help his/her clients navigate the ups & downs of the business and the industry they operate within.” At Finance Monthly, we love a success story, and this month we introduce you to Abrar Kayani – A Strategic Consultant & Serial Entrepreneur. Abrar is an expert business consultant and serial entrepreneur, who has executed multiple successful startups since 2005. He began his first venture, when he was still in college and soon mastered the art of consultancy. Throughout his professional career, he worked with the most prominent companies across three continents supporting clients from Asia to America and Europe, and was involved in everything from growing small businesses into multi-million-pound enterprises, to enhancing and strengthening strategic partnerships for corporate entities. He is also incredibly passionate about start-ups and helped several successful ventures to thrive. Abrar has also been widely recognized by international experts in the business and consulting field and won multiple awards in recognition of his work. He is a distinguished speaker and has regularly been invited to numerous business conferences and webinars as a subject matter expert. He also writes articles for leading publications and journals in the business arena. Abrar is a chartered management accountant by profession and also earned his postgraduate degree from prestige Accounting & Finance School of the University of Strathclyde in the UK. He is also a Fellow member of the Institute of Financial Accountants in the UK, the Institute of Public Accountants in Australia, ICMAP & PIPFA in Pakistan, and an Associate Member of the Association of International Accountants in the UK. He is one of the most successful business consultants & seasoned entrepreneurs, who helped clients with the development and implementation of growth strategies over the last two decades. He has over twenty years of
Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. UNI TED K INGDOM international experience spanning technology, strategy consulting, and large-scale strategic transformation across various industries and governments and delivered industry-leading strategic services at the board level in consultative and client-side roles. He also provides business coaching for SMEs and new start-ups and this year bagged four internationally renowned business awards for his work. Abrar says to be a successful consultant, one needs to have passion and the ability to put together strategies that can help his/her clients navigate the ups & downs of the business and the industry they operate within. Many young consultants and entrepreneurs seek his guidance in pursuit of success and he says “The question I asked myself every time I work on a project is, “Am I resolving the most important problem that I can help with?” unless I am passionate about it, then I am not going to feel good about it. For me without passion, you don’t have energy and without energy, you simply have nothing to work for.” We asked for his expert opinion and what would be his advice to businesses that are facing challenges in the current stressed economic environment. Abrar lists out some strategies that can help consultants and entrepreneurs to achieve success: Long-term Game Abrar strongly believes in a long-term value strategy approach and says; “I look at companies as businesses, while many looks for the performance in numbers. I analyze productivity as much as numbers despite having strong financial background. Most people in the business focused too much on figures and earnings, so they miss a lot of things that I see in certain situations.” Study business potential before making a strategy Abrar says consultants should approach any project with the mentality that they are investing in the business. He advises consultants to take out time and make an effort to understand the businesses whose strategy they want to formulate to be successful. Focus on 2 Key Ingredients Abrar said a consultant or any entrepreneur should be wary of two key ingredients for any strategy; acting impulsively or not acting at all. A consultant should stay calm and patient and not make an impulsive decisions. At the same time should also be highly aggressive when it comes to performing else can miss valuable opportunities. Quality over Quantity The consultant should avoid herd mentality in the world of business. He warns against falling into the trap of shared collective opinion and says it may not necessarily be wise to go along with a popular opinion or trends always. Further, he advises; most successful strategies are unique and something that is usually against the popular masses. This kind of contrarian can be very successful if one can make the right calls. Focus on undervalued areas Abrar says one should try and search for undervalued areas of the business. Many times, an area is undervalued and the trick is to find such opportunities and embrace them. He says the magnitude of success in strategic decisions matters a lot more than the frequency of the success. Bet big on your best ideas Consultants and entrepreneurs need to have some bold conviction behind every strategic decision that they make. Abrar advises the consultants to let their belief drive their strategy-making. Be flexible & adapt to the situation Abrar advised although having a plan makes it easier to deal with various business situations, one needs to be flexible with those plans as the markets are very unpredictable, especially in recent times. He says one should be ready to adapt to different situations and act accordingly in real time. Enjoy the journey It is more important to enjoy any project than just thinking about making money. Abrar advises consultants to love what they do and relish the art. Abrar has set a benchmark with his smart approach which is studied by professionals and never shies away from taking bold decisions. The tips he shares can help young consultants and entrepreneurs to achieve organic growth and long-term success. 28
29 www.finance-monthly.com About Christian Faber ChristianFaber advisesbanks, financial serviceproviders andfintechs on contract drafting, new product processes, risk management, MaRisk compliance, ownership control procedures and refinancing. He also represents market participants in disputes with customers and debtors in court as well as in regulatory proceedings against BAFIN and Bundesbank. Christian Faber conducts training courses worldwide for the international factoring association FCI. He gives management and supervisory bodies in-house seminars on national and international banking supervisory requirements. Christian Faber is the contact person for investment companies and investors for all corporate finance questions and investment law. From his work in company analysis, he has experience in the bankside design of project financing. He also advises non-profit organizations and church bodies on corporate and tax law issues. Christian Faber is a member of the management board (CFO) of Bette Westenberger Brink. Languages: English (one-year stay in Seattle, USA) Professional background Member of the Steering Committee of World of Open Account (WOA) Speaker in training programs of the International Factoring Association FCI, the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the German Credit Management Association (BvCM) MaRisk compliance officer and whistleblowing office of several financial services institutions Member of the Supervisory Board of vortex energy holding AG and Campus Marienhöhe gGmbH Examiner for the second state law examination and head of the working group for trainee lawyers in Rhineland-Palatinate in commercial law In-house activity in the legal department of JUWI Holding AG Studies and legal traineeship in Mainz and Geneva with ongoing employment at Deutsche Bank AG and international law firm Linklaters Trained as a banker and worked in the “Mittelstand” banking department of Deutsche Bank AG BANKING AND CAPITAL MARKETS LAW ADVISER OF THE YEAR Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. GERMANY Lawyer, Partner, Specialist for Banking And Capital Markets Law Bette Westenberger Brink Christian Faber Christian Faber T: +49 6131 28770 41 E: fa@bwb-law.de
MID MARKET TECH M&A ADVISORY FIRM OF THE YEAR Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. Canada 30 Contact Canada 267 Richmond Road, Suite 301, Ottawa, ON K1Z 6X3. USA 501 Congress Avenue, Suite 150, Austin, TX 78701 W: www.sampfordadvisors.com Sampford Advisors Ed Bryant CEO
Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. Canada 31 Firm Profile Sampford Advisors has been Canada’s #1 mid-market technology M&A advisor since 2017, having completed more mid-market technology M&A transactions than any other advisor. Since the beginning of 2020, Sampford has closed a total of 31 M&A transactions and has seen an acceleration of the gap between them and their competitors, completing nearly three times as many transactions as the next nearest competitor. The team combines over 40 years of investment banking experience with major firms like Morgan Stanley, UBS and Deutsche Bank in New York, Hong Kong, London and Singapore. This diverse international experience combined with previous executive roles in technology companies, provides Sampford with unique perspectives and insights that other advisors in the mid-market don’t possess. With offices in Ottawa and Austin, the team represents technology clients across North America. Given Sampford’s sole focus on technology, the company has deep relationships with all the most active technology buyers globally. This includes 700+ private equity relationships and 2,300+ strategic buyer relationships. This focus allows Sampford the opportunity to be speaking with technology companies, funding sources and technology buyers daily, providing the teamwith unparalleled insights into buyer appetite, prevailing valuations and overall market conditions and perceptions. As a result, Sampford’s clients get the best advice and the best outcomes on their M&A processes. Areas of Expertise Sampford has successfully executed numerous deals in highly specialized verticals such as industrial IoT, RetailTech, human capital management (HCM), workforce management (WFM), cybersecurity, GovTech, VoIP, digital media, hardware, and many other niche verticals that fall under the technology umbrella. While the team’s coverage within technology is broad, their primary focus is the sale of B2B software / SaaS companies to North American strategic and PE-backed acquirers. “Since the beginning of 2020, Sampford has closed a total of 31 M&A transactions and has seen an acceleration of the gap between them and their competitors, completing nearly three times as many transactions as the next nearest competitor.”
MID-MARKET M&A ADVISORY FIRM OF THE YEAR Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. Un i ted K i ngdom 32 Contact Vivek Subramanyam Founder and CEO E: vivek@technology-holdings.com Geeta Ramanathan Managing Director and COO E: geeta@technology-holdings.com Technology Holdings E: info@technology-holdings.com W: www.technology-holdings.com Technology Holdings Vivek Subramanyam Founder and CEO Geeta Ramanathan Managing Director and COO
Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. Un i ted K i ngdom 33 Firm Profile Technology Holdings is a global boutique investment bank dedicated to delivering M&A and capital raising to technology services, software, consulting, and business process management companies globally with enterprise values ranging from $20 million to $250 million. With offices across Europe, the United States, Canada and the Asia-Pacific, we have decisive local presence, specialist knowledge and cross-cultural understanding required to execute transactions at premium valuations and deliver excellence at every step of our service delivery process. Our global team of 50 professionals has decades of collective expertise and a solid track record in M&A advisory services, across a number of bulge bracket and boutique investment banks. With accumulated enterprise values exceeding $100 billion, we deliver a hands on, no stone unturned, strategic approach to every transaction. We act as an extension of our client’s teams, working closely on all aspects of the transaction including transaction strategy, positioning, preparation of material, due diligence and transaction closure. Our philosophy is that we are never satisfied with a ‘good’ result - we work hard to achieve truly outstanding results and premium valuations for our clients. Our Focus Areas For 22 years we have offered our clients comprehensive, high-quality advisory services including sell side M&A, private equity and capital advisory services. What makes us unique is our exclusive laser sector focus across highly specialised industries and verticals, which has helped us achieve global recognition as the M&A advisor of choice in the following focus industries: • Digital Transformation • Analytics, Data Science & AI • IT Services & Cloud • Business Process Management • Technology Platforms & SaaS • Consultancies • Healthcare & Life Sciences • Engineering Services This focus gives our team unparalleled buyer relationships and insights into buyer appetite, prevailing valuations and market conditions. When it comes to providing M&A and capital raising advisory services across our focus sectors, our depth of capabilities, domain expertise and track record of success is unmatched. “When it comes to providing M&A and capital raising advisory services across our focus sectors, our depth of capabilities, domain expertise and track record of success is unmatched.”
35 www.finance-monthly.com Firm Profile We are a cross-cultural team of corporate and M&A lawyers. We are also one of the strongest Sino-European teams in China. Our team includes dedicated talents with reliable backgrounds in different sectors, from legal to finance and from negotiation to technology. Each member of our team is familiar with cross-border transactions. We work as a bi-cultural team to provide efficient solutions to manage complex transactions in a changing legal and business environment. Our DNA A legal reference I Our firm has received multiple awards for its cross-border activities. We are one of the best teams of M&A and corporate lawyers based in China. Our team is composed of talented Chinese and internationally qualified attorneys. Our firm is one of the few which has been approved by the Ministry of Justice in China. Bi-cultural with international standards I Each lawyer at Leaf is familiar with M&A cross-border transactions. We established a bicultural team to provide our clients with several angles to view each problem. This bi-cultural approach is a unique experience that will allow our team to efficiently help complex cross-border negotiations with several foreign elements. We are used to providing efficient solutions to manage complex transactions in a changing legal and business environment. In addition, we help partners to reach common understanding and vision. Ecosystem of High-value services I We are providing solutions that are tailor-made and generated from our experience in project management. Our experience and expertise allow us to help our clients to understand the legal implications of doing business in China. As we have observed that a financial expertise is often required in our transactions, we have created a Corporate Finance department which can help our clients not only in their deal preparation but also in their business management. Overall, our unique advantage is based on the quality and efficiency of the ecosystem and high-value services we offer. We have trusted advisors recognized in their field of expertise such as cybersecurity issues, complex negotiations and angel financing. CROSS BORDER TRANSACTIONS FIRM OF THE YEAR Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. CHINA Leaf Legal www.leaf-legal.com
Europe
38 www.finance-monthly.com About Troels Fellov Larsen Mr. Fellov has been the founding Partner of Translution Capital since 2013. Mr. Fellov is responsible for the strategic development and continued expansion of the firm’s Corporate Finance business, including sourcing and executing both domestic and International transactions across sectors, sizes, geographies and products. Mr. Fellov offers over twenty-five years of corporate finance experience through a diverse background within Mergers and Acquisitions, Equity and Debt financing activities. Mr. Fellov has successfully completed over four-hundred transactions representing 20+ billion Euros of enterprise value as trusted advisor for both privately held and large multinational public companies, financial institutions, governments and public authorities, board of directors and special committees. Previously, Mr. Fellov acted as e.g. Managing Director at SEB Enskilda, Corporate Finance, Executive Director at Carnegie, Corporate Finance, Executive Director at J.P. Morgan, Equity Capital Markets (ECM) and Global Head of Equity Capital Market (ECM) at Nordea Investment Banking – working out of London, Stockholm and Copenhagen. Troels is a State Authorized Public Accountant and holds a Master of Science in Accounting and Auditing from Copenhagen Business School. Firm Profile Translution Capital is a Nordic Corporate Finance house, which devises and executes innovative, customized solutions to our clients’ most challenging issues. Our operation is independent and free of any potential conflict of interest inherent within large multi-product financial institutions. Translution Capital has engaged partnerships with a wide range of sector and product specialists ensuring a best-in-class advisory operation regardless of sector, size and situation. We operate from a platform with strong and proven reach to domestic, Nordic and international Institutional and HNI investors. We believe our success is based on our relentless client commitment We offer a wide range of services to support our clients’ strategic and financial objectives. Our core competences are centered around ECM, DCM and M&A. CAPITAL MARKETS ADVISER OF THE YEAR Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. Denmar k Founding Partner, Translution Capital Troels Fellov Larsen Troels Fellov Larsen W: www.translutioncapital.com
39 www.finance-monthly.com About Jean-René Griton Jean-René Griton has advised exit operations, equity interest acquisitions and fund raising deals in the fields of press and publishing, software, transports, B2B services, manufacturing, cosmetics, environment, wholesale and specialised distribution, and food processing. He holds a Master’s degree in Corporate Finance from the University of Paris IX Dauphine. He is involved on a regular basis in valuation issues before boards of directors of family groups. Between 2008 and 2015, Jean-René Griton has been president of the ACIFTE, professional body delivering the regulatory status of Investment advisor under the supervision of the AMF. This role has lead him to contribute strongly to the writing of rules and regulations applicable to the M&A practice in France. This work was done in close relationship with the AMF and the governmental authorities. Prior to incorporating Aurignac Finance, Jean-René Griton was M&A senior manager with Arthur Andersen and E&Y. Firm Profile Aurignac Finance is an investment banking firm dedicated to the small and mid-market segments. We offer investment banking services on French and European companies with enterprise value ranging between €5m and €150m helping them answer strategic issues. We advise and implement customised operations relative to equity, structured financing and complex situations such as carve-out and companies under administration. Our clients are managers and owners of SMEs and mid-tier firms but also of major international groups and Private Equity investors. We serve their interests with the same level of rigour, creativity and requirement. We currently advisemainly sell-side assignments and fundraisings on SMEs and mid-market companies. Our dealflow is very international as we spearhead in France the action of the world’s leading network of independent M&A advisors Mergers Alliance. We have been constantly growing for over 18 years, and since 2014 we advised more than 35 deals in France and abroad. These deals were closed by our clients in order to satisfy strategic goals such as: • Achieve at best the full value of their business • Grow and diversify • Sell a strategic asset • Establish a footprint in foreign markets • Gain and maintain a sectorial leadership Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. France INVESTMENT BANKING ADVISER OF THE YEAR Founding Partner, Aurignac Finance Jean-René Griton Jean-René Griton W: www.aurfi.com
40 www.finance-monthly.com Firm Profile Ludwig & Co. is a dynamic corporate finance advisory firm. Since its formation in 2012, we act as an entirely independent adviser. Our clients can expect advisory services of highest quality and excellent process management. Our services focus on: Advice on Mergers & Acquisitions Advice on capital market issues Sourcing and structuring of Equity and Debt investments Financial Restructuring Our experienced team of corporate finance and private equity specialists can build on an excellent track record of successful transactions. In addition, we have access to numerous corporations, banks, financial sponsors, and family offices worldwide. Our Services Mergers & Acquisitions • Search and identification of acquisition targets/potential investors • Preparation of the transaction documents (NDA, Teaser, Info Memo, and Management Presentations) • Structuring and implementation of the entire M&A process • Comprehensive valuation of the identified target companies/ assets • Business plan review/plausibility check • State-of-the-art financial modeling • Support in negotiation tactics • Financial, market, management, commercial and „social“ due diligence • Post-merger integration management Debt • In-depth analysis of the financing structure (debt capacity) • Development of a suitable financing structure • Sourcing of debt • Preparation of the transaction documents (Banking Book) • Treasury support • Rating analyses Equity • Analysis and identification of the financial requirements • Search and identification of suitable investor circles (strategic investors, financial investors, family offices, high net worth individuals or alternative investors) • Analysis of the capital market climate • Sourcing of equity • Comprehensive valuation of identified target companies/assets • Smooth implementation of the transaction Thomas C. Ludwig E: thomas.ludwig@ludwig.co Hendrik Becker E: hendrik.becker@ludwig.co INVESTMENT BANKING FIRM OF THE YEAR Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. GERMANY
41 www.finance-monthly.com About Levente Almási Levente is the Partner and Head of the M&A and Valuation division at RSM Hungary. He has more than eighteen years of experience in corporate finance/M&A field. Levente is one of the leaders of RSM Hungary Real Estate Desk Team. Levente gained a broad range of experience in M&A transactions, mainly in sell-side deals, but also in buy-side and financing mandates. He participated in many valuation projects in a great number of sectors. His large professional network includes various Hungarian SMEs leaders and owners and professional and institutional investors as well. Basically, he was involved in a wide scale of transactions in several sectors, such as automotive, steel service, retail, wholesale, services, IT, healthcare, and manufacturing and construction industry. Levente has an MBA degree in Banking and Finance from the joint program of Central European University (CEU) and Case Western Reserve University, USA. Previously he graduated from the Oxford Brookes University UK, with 1st class BA (Hons) in Management and Finance. Firm Profile Accounting, tax consulting, payroll, digital tax solutions – these are the pillars of RSM Hungary. Thanks to the outstanding quality we deliver our company is now acknowledged as one of the dominant market players of the Hungarian consulting community. In order to provide our clients with full range of financial consulting services RSM Audit Plc.’s services complement the activities of RSM Hungary Plc., and the legal representation and consultation services are provided by RSM Legal Szűcs & Partners Attorneysat-law. In addition to medium-sized Hungarian enterprises, foreignowned multinational companies also represent a significant part of our client portfolio. The achievements of RSM Hungary, founded in 2001, confirm that the values and beliefs of the founders of the company stand the test of time. Our successes were achieved with the help of our colleagues who have identified with the values of the Hungarian owners: • excellent expertise, • continuous knowledge development, • disciplined and diligent work, • precision, • business integrity, • order and system. Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. Hungar y M&A ADVISER OF THE YEAR Partner, RSM Hungary Levente Almási Levente Almási W: www.rsm.hu
42 www.finance-monthly.com About Ludovico Mantovani He graduated in Business Economics from Università Bocconi in Milan and is registered with the Como Association of chartered accountants (Albo dei Dottori Commercialisti) and with the Register of auditors (Registro dei Revisori Legali). He has successfully concluded a large number of company sales and acquisitions, including at the international level, and is specialised in arranging transactions with Italian and international private equity funds. He has also completed many debt restructuring transactions with the instruments made available by the Italian bankruptcy law and with the involvement of new stakeholders in the turnaround process. Firm Profile Pirola Corporate Finance is a strategic finance advisory firm focused onmedium and large-sized companies, which specializes in providing financial advisory services in connection with corporate transactions and reorganization activities, such as: Debt Advisory Pirola Corporate Finance acts as Financial Advisor and/or Arranger in the management of a company’s financial needs to support its investment plan and its working capital. The careful management of these requirements is a key market success factor for companies. Due to the critical nature of these issues, operating choices require careful analysis, planning and the involvement of a capable Advisor with significant experience in specific areas of activities, such as the following: • Syndicated loans to support business development • Reorganization of financial structure • Working capital facilities • Securitization • Bond issues (private placements and minibonds) Restructuring Pirola Corporate Finance acts as Financial Advisor and/or Arranger in situations of financial distress due to high level of debt, which require actions aimed at rebalancing capital structure and aligning the available operating cash flow with the cash flow required to service debt providing, among others, the following activities: • Turnaround management • Debt restructuring arrangements pursuant to articles 67, 182-bis and 160 of the Italian Bankruptcy law • Renegotiation of bank debt • Independent Business Review (“IBR”) CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS ADVISER OF THE YEAR Finance Monthly M&A Awards 2022. I ta l y Partner, Pirola Corporate Finance Ludovico Mantovani Ludovico Mantovani W: www.pirolacorporatefinance.com
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