BDO makes key hires to build Northern UK team
Mike Clarke, Chris Cumber and Andrew Kopciowski have joined BDO’s Northern M&A practice. The consulting firm has seen its headcount expand rapidly over recent years, as it seeks to meet growing demand from clients in the North of England.
Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO has revealed that it has grown the headcount of its Northern M&A practice by 40% in the past year. The firm has been working to expand its intake on all fronts across the UK, as clients have sought advice on an uncertain future, bracing themselves for life after Brexit. M&A in particular has seen high levels of investment in the UK, thanks in part to the lowered value of the Pound, so higher numbers of businesses have brought in consultants to oversee prospective deals.
Building on this, BDO has hired three new members to boost its M&A practice, based in the North of England. Mike Clarke, returns to BDO following two years at BGF, the UK’s most active growth capital investor. He rejoins BDO as a Director to provide hands-on support to businesses looking for development capital of up to £10 million from private equity, VCT funds or traditional debt.
At BGF, Clarke made investments into ambitious mid-market companies across the region, working with businesses in a range of sectors. He has particular experience in the leisure industry, including high-profile deals such as restaurant and deli chain Filmore & Union and Coppergreen Developments, the owner and operator of Woodland Lakes Lodges and the Piperdam Resort and Spa. In his role as lead of the investment process, he also attended board meetings post-deal, adding value gained from his M&A and financial experience to the owners of portfolio companies and helping them reach their goals. Prior to this, Clarke spent over eight years at BDO, during which time he advised on the sale of La Tasca to Casual Dining Group.
Commenting on his return to the firm, Mike Clarke said, “The BDO northern M&A team is going from strength-to-strength, growing headcount by 40 per cent last year and completing a consistent flow of quality deals. Our region is home to a lot of great management teams who can take advantage of the abundance of capital in the market currently looking for a home. It is a great time to be raising equity investment, whether it is to de-risk, fund working capital or make acquisitions. My appointment brings a re-energised focus on development capital deals and reinforces BDO’s commitment to mid-sized businesses.”
At the same time, Clarke is joined by fellow new hires Chris Cumber and Andrew Kopciowski. Cumber joins the Manchester office as a Senior Manager from Brabners where he was a Corporate Finance Senior Executive in its Liverpool office. Kopciowski moves over to the M&A practice as Corporate Finance Executive, having already been employed by BDO at the firm’s Audit practice.
Jason Whitworth, partner at BDO said of the new appointments, “The M&A team has had a stand-out year and our continued investment and success is testament to our entrepreneurial and ambitious clients across the north. We will continue to look to increase our capabilities across our Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool offices to cover the Northern region.”
