Cavendish Corporate Finance, a specialist sell-side M&A firm, has appointed Derek Zissman, a senior corporate finance professional, as a partner and Head of the Cavendish Exit Review practice.
Zissman brings over 40 years’ experience of M&A advisory to Cavendish and his appointment further strengthens the firm’s sell-side advisory service. It will enable Cavendish to better advise its clients across all aspects of their business’ exit process and take advantage of emerging opportunities in today’s very active M&A markets.
Zissman, a former Vice Chairman of KPMG, was a founding partner of KPMG’s UK Corporate Finance Group and Private Equity groups in the UK and USA, a member of the advisory board of Barclays Wealth and Investment Management and chaired the Advisory Board of Alchemy Partners, the UK private equity firm. Derek is a qualified accountant and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Since leaving KPMG in 2008, Zissman has held a number of non-executive director positions at UK and overseas companies. His current portfolio includes HelloFresh SE (home delivery of foods, listed on the Frankfurt SE), Amiad Water Solutions (AIM listed, based in Israel), the 600 Group (AIM listed engineering group in the UK and USA) and Lakehouse (AIM listed asset and energy services support group).
Joining Zissman in the Exit Review practice at Director level is Xenia Ilyasova who specialises in maximising the value of businesses through developing strategies ahead of sale, helping establish internal financial disciplines and identifying efficiencies in her clients’ businesses
Lord Leigh of Hurley, Senior Partner at Cavendish, says: “We are delighted to welcome Derek to lead our expanding exit review practice. With over 40 years’ experience advising companies, Derek brings a valuable skill base gained from his extensive career in private equity, listed company and in-house M&A, and will help ensure we offer the very best advice to our clients looking to maximise value on the sale of their businesses.
“Derek’s international M&A experience also gives him a robust understanding of cross border transactions, which is one of Cavendish’s core strengths. We believe that London will remain the world’s leading financial services capital and a centre for global M&A, and given the current vibrancy of international dealflow, the timing is right for us to enhance our capabilities.”
Zissman says: “I am delighted to be joining Cavendish Corporate Finance, and in my role as Head of Exit Review, look forward to advising our entrepreneur clients on how best to prepare their business for sale to achieve the best price. Cavendish’s reputation is thoroughly well deserved and the range and quality of its transactions are clear evidence of this. I have no doubt that I will enjoy working with Cavendish’s multi-talented team and advising their clients on completing successful transactions and maximising value.”
