Corporate advisory firm Rickitt Mitchell has strengthened its senior leadership team with the promotion of Director Kaine Smith to the firm’s board.Having spent five years at Ernst & Young (EY) where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant, Smith joined Rickitt Mitchell in 2013 and possesses significant experience in the technology, healthcare, distribution, engineering and retail sectors. He has advised on a wide variety of deals with a combined value of over GBP350 million, advising on transactions across both public and private markets.
Smith has played a fundamental role in a number of high-profile transactions, including the GBP30 million sale of Vision Support Services to USA-based WestPoint Home, the GBP80 million flotation of Van Elle Holdings plc and the sale of Antler Luggage to Australian Strandbags. In 2019, Kaine also advised on the GBP26 million investment into Manchester-based Veincentre from Palatine Private Equity, providing the capital required for its ambitious growth plans.
Established in 1976, Rickitt Mitchell is one of the most prominent independent corporate advisory firms in the UK, having completed on over 300 transactions with a combined value of more than GBP3 billion.
In his new role, Smith will use his specialist sector expertise to meet current market demand across a variety of transaction types, including public company flotations, private company disposals, fundraises, acquisitions and PE investments. His new position on the firm’s board will see him have direct input into the future direction of the business as it continues on its growth trajectory.
In addition to his role at Rickitt Mitchell, Smith heads up M&A Worldwide’s global activities in the technology sector, forging close and collaborative relationships with the organisation’s M&A experts in 35 countries across 6 continents.
Neil Mitchell, Partner at Rickitt Mitchell, says: “Since joining in 2013, Kaine has made an outstanding impact on the business. With extensive sector and market knowledge, his portfolio of completed deals speaks for itself. He makes an excellent addition to our leadership team and board, and I have full faith that he will continue to exceed expectations and help drive the business forward in what is set to be a busy time ahead.”
Smith says: “Rickitt Mitchell has provided me with the opportunity to continue to originate, lead and complete internationally recognised deals, so it is a pleasure to be promoted to this new role and join the board.
“Despite the current volatile economic climate we find ourselves in today, we are still seeing strong appetite for dealmaking, especially from private equity and overseas corporates who are keen in invest and transact in the UK market. We have a great team here at Rickitt Mitchell, one I’m proud to work with. I look forward to working with the team on many more successful deals in the future.”
