Global technology, media and communications investment bank Drake Star Partners has appointed senior investment banker Eric Ward as a partner in the firm’s London office.
Ward has over 15 years of M&A and industry experience, with a distinct focus on e-commerce and digital marketing, including retail tech, ad tech, martech, analytics and AI.
Ward has participated in many high-profile transactions in these sectors over the years. For instance, he recently advised Honeycomb on its merger with Group IMD, advised Hitfox Group (Berlin) on its secondary sale of shares in Finleap, Anatwine on its fundraising and subsequent sale to Zalando and advised dunnhumby (part of Tesco) on its acquisition of Sociomantic.
Marc Deschamps, Executive Chairman at Drake Star Partners, says: “Eric brings a wealth of experience to our London office and to our global senior team. His sector knowledge in e-commerce and digital marketing coupled with his deep understanding of the key value drivers for companies, ecosystem of investors and buyers in these verticals, will prove to be immensely valuable to Drake Star Partners and to our clients globally, especially as we propel our firm into its next growth stage.”
Wards adds: “I am thrilled to join a technology-focused investment bank with an already impressive global track-record in marketing technology, e-commerce and the broader technology, media and communications sectors. Drake Star is ideally positioned as a partner of choice to our clients given our deep industry coverage in both the US and European markets. We offer real, differentiated value to our clients as well as unique access to the world’s most prominent strategic buyers and investors. It is with this in mind that I look forward to contributing to the firm’s international expertise and future successes.”
Prior to joining Drake Star Partners, Ward was the Managing Director at Stella Advisors, a European M&A advisory. Before joining Stella, Ward worked in the online advertising industry. Prior to that, he worked at M&A advisory firm Greenhill & Co and Deutsche Bank, focussing on digital.
