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Wednesday, 09 July 2008 |
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Page 2 of 3
THE ACCOUNTANTS
PHIL ADAMS - ALTIUM
UK managing director and head of the corporate finance boutique’s Manchester office. Has grown the Manchester business to a transaction value of £700 million in 2007. Recent deals include the £58 million acquisition of Ultraframe by Brian Kennedy’s Latium, Connaught’s £250 million market cap move from AIM to full listing, the secondary buyout of Apollo Lifts and the £116 million Norcros listing.
ADRIAN BERG - ALEXANDER & CO
Established Alexander & Co in 1976, just three years after qualifying with Arthur Andersen. Following reorganisation in 2006 took the reins at the firm’s retail team. Specialises in all forms of corporate finance – AIM floats, takeovers, mergers, MBOs and MBIs.
GRAHAM BOND - BAKER TILLY
High-growth life sciences and technology specialist. Works closely with universities and incubators in Manchester, Liverpool and Warrington. Guides spin-outs from initial funding to flotation and beyond.
KAREN CAMPBELL - GRANT THORNTON
If you want to pay the taxman in polo mints then this lady may be able to help (though we don’t promise). Tax expert specialising in entrepreneurs and mid corporates. Heads the firm’s national stamp tax practice. Has been involved in the background on some juicy corporate finance deals.
GREG CANT - NM ROTHSCHILD
Named Corporate Financier of the Year at EN’s 2007 Deals of the Year Awards. Specialises, though not exclusively, in financial services businesses. Over the last year advised on deals including ECI Partners’ sale of Think Money to Alchemy for £110 million, sale of DLP to ECI for £80 million-plus and auction of Northern Racing – sold for £71 million.
TONY FORD - FORD CAMPBELL
Now ensconced in deepest Lancashire, but there is no keeping Fordy out of the limelight. Helped build up Ford Campbell from a runof- the-mill suburban accountant to an innovative player in corporate finance. Interesting character with energy to burn. Fancies himself as a bit of an entrepreneur and has even been an executive producer on a feature film at the Cannes Festival. Always Gladys, not one of life’s Pips. Impressive ability to think his way around obstacles.
PAUL LUPTON - DELOITTE
Head of corporate finance for the North. Lead advisor to Peel Ports on the sale of haulage business Roadferry Holdings to Danish company DSV Road Holdings. Also advised NST on £47.2 million sale to Holidaybreak. Under his leadership Deloitte’s debt advisory team advised Peel Holdings on the £360 million Bank of Scotland facility to fund mediacity:uk.
PAUL RUOCCO - ASTON VENTURES
Difficult to know whether to call Ruocco an advisor anymore, given the rather unique structure of Aston (see p.24). However, he has been at the top of the corporate finance game for so long that it is impossible to imagine this list without him. Said to be able to spot nuggets of gold in the biggest piles of manure – a man to have on your side when on the acquisition trail.
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