KPMG names duo to lead diversified industrials M&A team

Alastair Horrocks and Surinderpal Matharu will co-lead KPMG’s UK diversified industrials M&A team. The pair take over from Simon Davis, who is stepping up to lead the firm’s Global Diversified Industrials M&A business.

KPMG is a global organisation of independent professional services firms, operating in 145 countries and territories, with more than 236,000 partners and employees working in member firms around the world. KPMG UK operates from 20 offices across the UK with approximately 15,300 partners and staff.

Until now, the firm’s UK diversified industrials M&A team has been headed by Simon Davis, a Managing Director with 25 years of experience. In his time in the role, he has advised on various industrial M&A transactions, focused principally on the building products, flow control and test and measurement sub-sectors. Now, he has been promoted to the same responsibilities on a global level with KPMG, however.

Stepping into his shoes are Alastair Horrocks and Surinderpal Matharu. Davis will continue to work closely with the pair, as they work to help deliver the firm’s UK strategy, in addition to his new global role.

Matharu is a Director who has worked on a range of international acquisitions, disposals and private equity transactions with a specific focus on industrial products, technologies, distribution and flow control.

Speaking on the new challenge, Matharu said, “Over the last year we have seen an unprecedented level of M&A activity in the diversified industrials space, largely due to the extent of cross-border and private equity activity in the market. There are a number of niche sub-sectors where activity remains buoyant, and as we look to grow our team, we’ll focus on providing a centre of expertise to help businesses create value.”

Horrocks is also a Director who has worked on a number of buy-side, sell-side and equity fundraising deals with a particular focus on the marine, defence, aerospace and nuclear sectors.

He added, “Many are looking to M&A as a solution to help them achieve their ambitions, whether that be for growth, as a solution to funding issues or to bolster their resilience. I’m really looking forward to co-leading an extremely talented team of experts to help businesses and investors across the diversified industrials sector.”

KPMG UK’s diversified industrials M&A team focuses on advising in sectors including advanced materials, aerospace and defence, building products, digital marine, energy transition, flow control, industrial distribution, and industrial services, among others. It has advised on several landmark transactions over the last 12 months. These include the £100 million sale of R&G Fluid Power to Diploma, and the sale of Workdry International to Arcus Infrastructure Partners.

Commenting on the new appointments, Rob Baxter, Partner and Head of Corporate Finance at KPMG UK, said: “I would like to congratulate Alastair, Surinderpal and Simon on their new appointments, which are testament to their hard work, commitment and expertise. They are all extremely talented M&A advisors, with vast experience and expertise in the diversified industrials space. I’m confident that they will build upon the team’s success as we continue to invest in our business and our people.”