Top corporate finance consulting firms and investment banks
With deal activity at a high in the UK, in the slipstream of Europe’s hot market for mergers & acquisitions (M&A), companies are increasingly turning to external dealmakers to bring their deals to a successful close. New analysis of client ratings sheds light on Britain’s top corporate finance advisory and investment banking firms.
Merger and acquisition activity in the UK remains bullish at present, buoyed by the fallen rate of the pound attracting foreign investment. Dealmakers play an integral in orchestrating and executing such deals, with corporate finance experts at the heart of delivery teams, which typically further consist of strategic advisors, transaction support consultants, M&A lawyers and tax advisors.
In order to highlight the top performers and their best practices in this sector, Leaders League, a publication for executives, has surveyed decision-makers who have purchased M&A services and advisors in the UK. Analysis of the data reveals the best corporate finance consulting firms – who provide support with corporate finance, M&A advisory and transaction support – and investment banks in the UK – who mostly support with corporate finance advisory, deal/growth financing and financial restructuring.
Alantra
Focusing on the mid-market with offices across Europe, the US, Asia and Latin America, Alantra’s UK presence is headquartered in London. The UK team is comprised of over 50 experienced professionals, providing M&A and Debt services to mid-market, family-owned companies, mid cap corporate and private equity investors.
Deloitte
Providing financial advice and insight at every stage of a transaction – Deloitte’s corporate finance advisory team has global reach. The group has over 30 people based in the UK and access to Deloitte Debt Advisory professionals across Europe, North America and Asia.
PwC
PwC has more than 20,000 deals practitioners around the world. According to M&A platform Mergermarket, PwC is the top deal advisor by volume in Europe, a position it has held since 2014.
RBC Capital Partners
With over 200 professionals located in across major business hubs around the globe, RBC’s corporate banking group provides leading financial service capabilities to corporate and institutional clients worldwide. The team also works closely with RBC's Investment Banking and Global Markets to provide lending and financing support.
Rothschild
With a team of 3,500 talented financial services specialists on the ground in over 40 countries across the world, Rothschild delivers a unique global perspective across three market-leading business divisions; merchant banking, wealth and asset management and global advisory.
Arma Partners
Founded in 2003, Arma Partners works with industry leaders like AOL, Garmin, IBM, Motorola, Sky, Thomson Reuters, Vodafone and Xerox to evaluate strategic M&A opportunities and execute transactions to deliver significant value to shareholders, customers, employees and other stakeholders.
Barclays
Barclays was the first UK bank with a dedicated Business Services team. The firm gives clients access to regular sector reports, as well as the opportunity to develop relationships with key professional bodies and groups, such as the local CBI and Institute of Directors in the UK.
Goldman Sachs
The American multinational investment bank and financial services company offers services in investment management, securities, asset management, prime brokerage, and securities underwriting. Goldman Sachs International, the London-based branch of Goldman Sachs, employs more than 4,600 people.
Jefferies
Jefferies ranked seventh for UK equity capital markets revenues last year, according to data provider Dealogic. From its European headquarters in London, Jefferies has executed over 365 non-US book-run financings and advisory transactions for clients based in 30 countries since the start of 2016.
Liberty Corporate Finance
Having dealt with transaction values of more than £70 billion combined, Liberty Corporate Finance has advised more than 300 management teams and 100 private equity houses. The firm works to help clients negotiate and structure the right deal and work with you and your private equity partner to ensure the process runs smoothly.
Nomura
Nomura hosts over 3,400 people across 17 different cities in EMEA as part of a global network spanning over 30 countries. London's 1 Angel Lane building serves as its EMEA headquarters and in 2014, Nomura marked its 50th anniversary there, reflecting the firm’s long-standing commitment to the region.
Other top consulting finance firms
Beyond the top eleven, the ranking also named a number of highly recommended firms. These are Canaccord Genuity, DC Advisory, Jamieson Corporate Finance, JP Morgan and Lincoln International. Other firms that make the list of best corporate finance consulting firms and investment banks in the UK are Baird, BNP Paribas, Houlihan Lokey, Livingstone Partners and William Blair.
