Perella Weinberg Partners (PWP) has appointed Richard “Rick” Sherlund as a Partner in the firm’s Advisory business.
Based in San Francisco, Sherlund will focus on driving the Firm’s coverage of software clients, as well as developing a broader technology franchise and working with our Advisory Partners to assist clients across all industries as digital transformation redefines their businesses.
Sherlund is a leading authority in the software industry. His background includes 25 years at Goldman Sachs where he was a Partner, Head of the Technology Research Group and a leading software industry analyst – ranked as the No1 software industry analyst by Institutional Investor for 17 consecutive years. He was involved in the initial public offerings of many of the industry’s leading companies and has long been a strategic adviser to companies positioning themselves for upcoming new platforms of computing. Most recently as Chairman of Software Investment Banking at Barclays, Sherlund focused on the digital transformation of enterprises, Internet of Things (IoT) and machine learning and the upcoming platform shift from systems of record and systems of engagement to a new generation he characterises as systems of prediction.
Peter A Weinberg, Founding Partner and Co-Head of Advisory at Perella Weinberg Partners, says: “Change is a key driver of M&A activity and there is no more significant change today than technological disruption. All of our clients are focused on this subject and we are committed to advising them as they pursue their digital transformations. We are delighted to welcome Rick as a part of these efforts alongside our existing technology advisory team and the expanded role that Walter Isaacson will take with the firm later this year upon his retirement from the Aspen Institute.”
Sherlund says: “Digital technologies are transforming all industries, redefining how companies interact with customers, expanding growth opportunities and altering business models as physical businesses combine with digital technologies. Digital innovation and strategic vision are key as disruptive, born-in-the-cloud digital startups address growing demands for innovative, personalised and real time services that can challenge traditional industry leaders.
“An agile enterprise needs to leverage newer technologies including big data and analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence, distributed cloud architecture for scalable computing and storage, digital marketing and new predictive systems that enable real time insights and customer service. I am delighted to be joining the Perella Weinberg Partners team to help drive our advisory services in this strategic segment of the market, addressing the needs of technology companies and companies across all industries that are progressing on their journey of digital transformation.”
