PwC appoints private equity expert Rob Asplin as Senior Advisor

PwC has enhanced its business restructuring services with the appointment of Rob Asplin as a Senior Advisor. The Head of the department, Steve Russell, praised a “great addition” to the team, demonstrating PwC’s “continued investment” in the sector.

Asplin arrives with more than two decades of expertise in the restructuring and private equity sectors, specialising in protecting and creating value in turnaround situations. His appointment at PwC will centre on supporting UK businesses of all sizes to maximise value through the critical post-Covid recovery period. Asplin will be particularly focused on working with private equity-backed businesses and Private Equity owners in designing and delivering value recovery plans.

Russell went on, “Private equity owned businesses face unique challenges. Rob’s private equity experience combined with PwC’s team with wide ranging expertise from working capital management, operational restructuring and cost management to debt advisory will enable us to serve our clients at all stages of their life cycle and assist in overcoming challenges to create a sustainable business future and deliver value for their shareholders quicker. This is especially as government support unwinds, and the liabilities that have accrued over recent times eventually fall due.”

Prior to joining PwC, Asplin was a Partner in a special situations Fund; a Portfolio Chief Restructuring Officer; a Non-Executive Director and he has held senior roles in Corporate Finance and banking. He has held roles with Castle Mill Equity Partners, BDO and Lloyds Banking Group during that time, among others.

He commented, “I’m delighted to join PwC at such a critical time for the many businesses across the UK, many of whom play a vital part in driving local and regional economies. I will be working with colleagues across the Deals business at PwC to support the critical activity that goes on in private equity to support a Deals-led recovery – which has begun in earnest.”

According to a release from PwC, private equity plays a central role in using its deep pools of capital, market position and capabilities to generate positive returns for the UK economy. In this case, Asplin's appointment underlines PwC’s commitment to guiding clients through the financial climate currently impacting UK firms. The firm’s business restructuring services practice already has more than 600 financial restructuring, debt advisory, working capital and operational restructuring experts in every major city and region of the UK.

Rob Moran, Partner and Mid-Market Leader for business restructuring services, added, “Firms are now planning how they preserve and grow their businesses once furlough schemes are withdrawn. Growth presents great value creation opportunities but also cash flow risk as companies look to manage their working capital through this recovery and growth phase. We are here to help corporates and shareholders navigate these times… It’s great to bring someone of Rob’s calibre and private equity expertise into our BRS practice as we continue to invest in our team.”