Close Brothers Corporate Finance is a leading European, independent corporate finance adviser. It operates as an autonomous business unit within Close Brothers Group PLC, one of Europe's largest listed investment banks. Headquartered in London, Close Brothers operates internationally and employs more than 250 professional staff across Europe.

The Company has around 40 UK public clients, some of which it has advised for over 30 years.  In 2007, Close Brothers advised on 66 deals in the UK alone, with a total value of approximately £34bn.

Services

Close Brothers offers independent corporate finance advice in six primary areas:

• Mergers and acquisitions
• European Market flotations
• Special Situations corporate finance, including restructuring
• Debt advice 
• Advice to private equity and other financial sponsors
• Pensions advice

Mergers and Acquisitions

Close Brothers has acted on over 200 acquisitions and disposals in the last five years.  Recent high profile deals include:

• Advised Civica Plc on its £190m take-private
• Advised HgCapital on the £75m sale of The Sanctuary Spa to PZ Cussons Plc
• Advised NSB Retail Systems on its £160m sale to Epicor Software Corporation

European Debt Advisory (EDA)
EDA provides capital structure advice and transaction support to public and private companies.  Services include: assisting clients in reviewing available financing options; advising on capital structure alternatives including the positioning of the client's preferred facility structure to potential lenders to ensure an optimal out-turn from the financing exercise; and providing clients with the resources required to enable them to retain control over the financing process.

EDA also advises stakeholder groups in situations ranging from creating value-maximising restructuring solutions for companies and creditors; to working with clients in complex M&A transactions, when selling a business with declining value or when a compromise with creditors is needed. 

In 2007 EDA advised on 15 capital raising transactions, with total debt facilities of £3.7bn. It also advised on 20 restructuring transactions, in all major European jurisdictions, involving liabilities of over €25bn.

Recent high profile deals include:

• Advised CPP Group Plc, the card and identity protection group, on a strategic review and £130m refinancing
• Advised Johnson Services Group on its £205m balance sheet restructuring and £82.5m disposal of its Corporate Wear division

ESSG recently received the Acquisitions Monthly Award for Restructuring Adviser of the Year 2008 and Restructuring Deal of the Year 2008; and the IFR Award for Restructuring Deal of the Year 2008. These are the most recent in a long line of awards that recognise ESSG as the European market leader in its space.

European Financial Sponsors Group
Reflecting the established and increasing significance of private equity and other financial sponsors to European deal activity, this group exists to deliver a specialised service to this community. It brings together our leading advisers in M&A, IPOs, debt advisory and corporate restructuring.  Recent high profile deals include:

• Advised Phoenix Equity Partners on the £95m acquisition of Ashtead Technology Rentals
• Advised Palmer & Harvey, the UK's largest wholesaler & distributor of chilled and frozen products on its £345m tertiary MBO

Sector expertise
Close Brothers is recognised for its expertise in the following sectors:

• Advanced manufacturing
• Food and consumer goods
• Leisure and retail
• Media
• Support services
• Technology

International presence
Through its European offices and its affiliate network, Close Brothers International, Close Brothers has a strong global reach that allows it to service its international client base through independent financial houses in all major financial centres worldwide. 

Close Brothers has offices or an equity holding in:

• France and Belgium – Close Brothers
• Germany - Close Brothers
• Spain - Atlas Capital Close Brothers
• Italy - Eidos Partners

Close Brothers International, where Close Brothers has strategic alliances, consists of:

• India – Allegro Advisors
• Netherlands – PhiDelphi Corporate Finance
• Scandinavia – Danske Markets Corporate Finance
• Switzerland – The Corporate Finance Group
• USA – Harris Williams

Management Team (Biographies available on request)

• Stephen Aulsebrook, Chief Executive Officer
• Richard Grainger, Executive Vice-Chairman

For Further Information

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