Investment bank GCA Savvian Corporation and financial advisory group Altium are to merge to form an independent international investment bank focused on growth companies with an extensive global network, cross-border capability and track record of industry-shaping transactions.
The combined company will operate under the names GCA Altium in Europe and GCA in the United States and Asia.
Upon the completion of the transaction, GCA will be a leading global pure play advisory business with a focus on growth companies and the 7th largest listed M&A advisory firm in the world, with more than USD185 million in advisory revenues, approximately 370 staff, 300 of whom are experienced M&A bankers and growth company experts, offices in 14 locations in 10 countries around the globe, and more than 315 completed transactions over the last three years.
The combination brings together two extremely complementary businesses with a strong strategic and cultural fit. Together, GCA Savvian and Altium focus on growth companies and hold top positions in key growth sectors, particularly technology, digital media, telecommunications, eCommerce and retail. There are substantial opportunities for synergies between the two businesses, which will result in increased international reach to form outstanding cross-border capabilities and a truly global network in key markets. GCA will have offices in Tokyo, San Francisco, New York, Osaka, Shanghai, Singapore, Mumbai, London, Manchester, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Milan and Tel Aviv.
“We are pleased to announce our merger with Altium. By bringing together these two established companies, we are creating a new global leader in our field,” says Aki Watanabe, Representative Director of GCA Savvian Corporation. “This combination will increase the scale and geographic reach of the firm – positioning GCA as the pre-eminent global investment bank focused on growth companies with a particular strength in technology.”
Phil Adams, CEO of Altium, says: “Our merger with GCA Savvian marks a key and exciting step in our growth strategy. Now, more than ever before, our clients are looking for integrated international coverage and this merger will enable us to provide the best possible service to our clients.”
The merger further increases the firm’s leading volume of cross border deals and will drive revenue growth while also further strengthening its presence within the private equity and venture capital community.
Both companies have built strong, reputable brands through their track records, highly experienced and respected management teams, independent, client-centric advice and transaction execution expertise.
GCA will continue to provide its clients with a broad range of investment banking services including M&A, capital markets, capital raising services for fund managers, debt advisory and private capital raising.
Under the terms of the agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both GCA Savvian and Altium, Altium will merge 100 per cent of its shares into GCA. GCA will be governed by a Board of Directors that includes Todd Carter, Geoffrey Baldwin, Mark McInerney and Richard Kramlich from the USA, Isao Okubo, Hiroaki Ota and Masatake Yone from Japan and Phil Adams, Alexander Grünwald and Sascha Pfeiffer from GCA Altium in Europe. Akihiro Watanabe will continue as the company’s Representative Director.
The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions and is expected to close early in the second half of 2016
