PwC is continuing to invest in its corporate finance deals team with the promotion of two new equity partners and four directors.
Reflecting ongoing investment in PwC’s Aberdeen Centre of Excellence for Oil and Gas and the team’s continuing support of the industry as it responds to opportunities and challenges arising from the low oil price landscape, Jon Shelley has been made an equity partner.
Shelly joined as a graduate in 2002 and, over the years, has gained extensive insight into the international deals market and the oil and gas industry. As firms continue to adapt to a changing environment, he is providing support as they refocus their strategy and market approach: from insight into how well planned and executed merger and acquisition activity now and in the future can both protect and create value to helping access different forms of capital available to support this activity.
But as well as being attuned to challenges and opportunities facing firms in the North Sea, Shelly is also a skilled sailor on the high seas.
Shelly has competed across the world in a number of sailing classes including the Musto Skiff class, a high performance racing dingy, and is currently in training for the world championships next month.
Shelly says: “The decline in oil price has presented almost unprecedented challenges and opportunities for our clients across the sector. Let’s not kid ourselves – it’s very tough out there – but times of rapid change are typically times when big winners and unfortunately big losers emerge.
“As the industry adapts to oil price conditions there will be a need to refocus both strategy and market approach accordingly. Businesses will need to be flexible and nimble in order to respond to and realise opportunities as they arise.
“We are finding that firms are looking for advisers who have a breadth and depth specialist skills, industry knowledge and practical experience, as well as links to a strong global oil and gas industry network. I am delighted to lead our team and support our clients through this transformational period.”
Two directors have been promoted in the firm’s Northern practice. Newcastle-based Gareth Marshall advises clients on all aspects of disposals, acquisitions and fund raising and has worked on some of the region’s most high profile deals, including the Sale of Fine Industries Limited to NorthEdge Capital.
Charlotte Tracy joined PwC 12 years ago, with the last eight spent in the corporate finance team. Based in PwC’s Manchester office, Charlotte has also worked on some high profile regional deals including advising Shepherd Group on its sale of Shepherd Homes to Galliford Try in May and advising Elysian Capital's sale of Volox Group to Rubicon in June.
Within the Corporate Finance infrastructure & government team, Charles Johnson-Ferguson was made an equity partner, with Michael Meredith from the Birmingham office and Andrew Osborn in the Leeds team promoted to director.
Across Corporate Finance, 13 people were appointed as associate directors:
· M&A – Akshawra Guru, Guy Hurwood, Heidi Kamstrup, Barbara Santos and Emmanuel Syrrou are based in London with Dan Matkin in Manchester and Colin Strevens in Birmingham.
· Infrastructure & Government – Sophie Aylard, James Bailey, Chris Barrow, Catriona Brown and Lalit Tulsiani in London and Jennifer Brake in Bristol.
John Dwyer (pictured), UK Deals leader, says: “This represents a significant investment for our corporate finance team across the UK, and with over half of the promotions in regional offices, this also reflects our ongoing ambition to support and grow our local markets.
“We are hugely committed to building the broadest team of sector specialists within our corporate finance team so that we can continue to help our clients not only be successful but to swiftly and effectively deal with future challenges and opportunities as they arise.
“I am delighted for Jon, Charlie, our four new directors, and everyone else who has been successful in taking the next step in their career. Their promotions are a credit to the dedication and hard work they have put in over the last few years, as well as the firm's commitment to recruit and retain the best talent."
