Leading global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) has expanded its Global Transaction Advisory Group (TAG) into Spain, with the appointment of two Madrid-based Managing Directors, Cristina Almeida and Ignacio Basagoiti.
The arrival of Almeida and Basagoiti marks the latest move in the group’s strategic growth plans and follows the recent appointment of Ali Anwar, Managing Director and Middle East Practice Leader, in Dubai.
The newly established team in Spain will work closely with Global TAG’s existing teams around the world to meet local market demands and address growing cross-border M&A requirements, with enhanced integrated due diligence and transaction advisory services for private equity and corporate clients.
Almeida and Basagoiti join A&M from Deloitte. While there, Almeida served as a Partner with Deloitte’s Financial Advisory team and headed the Financial Institutions Transactions Group and the ESG Transactions practice. Basagoiti served in Deloitte’s Transaction Services department in Spain along with co-heading the financial services team and spearheading the transaction services sustainability practice (ESG).
Paul Aversano, Managing Director and Global Practice Leader of A&M’s Global Transaction Advisory Group, says: “Our Global Transaction Advisory Group continues to grow at pace across the globe in response to markets’ individual and collective cross-border needs. The new team in Spain provides the next strategic step for us to deliver seamless cross-border collaboration with colleagues, particularly in Latin America, and expand our boots-on-the ground bench strength in Europe.”
Almeida, who will lead A&M’s Global Transaction Advisory Group in Spain, has more than 20 years’ experience advising on M&A transactions across the region, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. She has worked with both corporate and private equity clients on more than 200 deals globally across a wide range of sectors, including financial services, manufacturing, consumer products, healthcare, leisure, infrastructure, real estate and technology. Additionally, she has advised on buy- and sell-side due diligence, carve-outs, M&A advisory mandates, valuations, exit readiness and post-merger integration projects.
Basagoiti brings more than 13 years’ experience in large and mid-market buy- and sell-side financial and integrated due diligence projects, specialising in complex acquisitions and disposals for both private equity and strategic buyers. Basagoiti is well-known for his expertise in carve-outs, business plans, identifying revenue levers, synergies and sustainability implication of deals. He has led numerous international transactions requiring detailed knowledge of international financial reporting standards (IFRS) requirements. He has worked across multiple industries, including financial services, consumer products, mobility, real estate, and technology.
David Evans, Managing Director and European Practice Leader of A&M’s Global Transaction Advisory Group, says: “Deal flow across Europe has reached record levels in recent months. We therefore see a significant opportunity in Spain and are expecting continued activity. A&M’s leadership, action, results approach positions us to solve for clients’ complex issues and deliver independent deal advice to maximize value. Cristina’s and Ignacio’s significant market experience and strong local network benefit our growing team in Europe and our clients worldwide.”
Fernando de la Mora, Managing Director and Head of A&M in Spain and Portugal, says: “The addition of Cristina and Ignacio augments our capabilities and the growth of our practice in Spain. Their individual and collective expertise aligns with our operational heritage and builds upon on our local Private Equity and Financial Services Performance Improvement offering. Their joining enables us to provide a wider range of transactions-focused services to private equity firms and corporates alike.”
Almeida adds: “A&M’s integrated platform and cross function approach, creates a strong foundation for expanding the firm’s Global Transaction Advisory Group into Spain and differentiating us in the market.”
