People
Ogier has promoted Richard Bennett from the firm’s London based investment funds team to managing associate.
Bennett (pictured), who has been with Ogier since 2011, is a Registered Foreign Lawyer regulated by the Law Society of Hong Kong, and worked at Hogan Lovells and the UK Financial Services Authority before joining the firm.
He specialises in licensing, fund structuring and restructuring and financing arrangements under the laws of the British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands for private equity and hedge fund clients.
Nicholas Plowman, the practice partner of Ogier’s Hong Kong office, says: “Ogier’s Caribbean funds team continues
Cybersecurity specialist company eSentire, which is backed by private equity firm Warburg Pincus, has appointed Chris Gesell as chief strategy and marketing officer, and Brett Davis as executive vice president, global sales, effective immediately.
Gesell will be responsible for driving eSentire’s business and brand strategies, while Davis will lead the company’s global sales strategy, execution, and growth.
“Chris and Brett will play crucial roles in eSentire’s growth strategy,” says Kerry Bailey, eSentire CEO. “Our customers’ experience, from their first point of contact through to service delivery, is critically important to us. Chris and Brett each have deep experience leading
A partner from private equity firm Livingbridge has joined accountancy and business advisory firm BDO as its new Head of Growth Advisory.
Paul Morris joins BDO’s corporate finance team following 14 years at Livingbridge and having held previous positions at Barclays.
In this newly created role, Morris will be advising ambitious UK businesses on growth opportunities with private equity investment. His experience in guiding mid-sized businesses through every stage of the private equity life cycle spans multiple sectors, in particular services and technology and media.
Paul Eagland, managing partner at BDO, says: “The UK economy is proving resilient
Ryan Labs Asset Management, a Sun Life Investment Management company, has added a five-strong Leveraged Finance Group to its offering.
This new division provides expertise in managing senior loan portfolios, and third-party managed collateralised loan obligation (CLO) investments.
Led by Mark Pelletier, who assumes the role of Senior Managing Director & Head, Ryan Labs Leveraged Finance, the Group provides a non-investment grade, floating rate capability that complements the firm’s existing fixed-rate, investment grade strategies, broadening the scope of solutions to meet the needs of institutional investors throughout the market cycle. Pelletier will report directly to Richard Familetti (pictured), President
Augentius, a specialist global service provider to private equity and real estate funds, has appointed Nancy Vailakis, a well-known figure in the US alternative asset management industry, as its Business Development Director for the Americas.
The move follows another successful year of 19 per cent growth and Augentius’ continued expansion in this region.
Vailakis (pictured) brings with her a wealth of industry knowledge acquired through various roles including Vice President of Investor Relations at Cerberus Capital Management as well as Blue Mountain Capital Management. She is also involved with many non-profit and professional organizations including High Water Women and 100 Women in
PDC Brands (PDC), which is owned by affiliates of CVC Capital Partners, has appointed John F Owen as Chief Financial Officer. Owen will hold responsibility for the Company’s global financial operations and will report to James Stammer, Chief Executive Officer of PDC.
Stammer says: “I am delighted to add John to PDC’s talented management team. John brings us over 30 years of experience with leading multinational branded consumer products companies and a strong financial and operational track record building enduring multi-billion dollar businesses. I believe that adding an executive of John’s calibre is a strong endorsement of our company’s potential,
Continuing its strategic growth in London, international law firm Proskauer has appointed corporate lawyer and private equity specialist Richard Bull as partner in London.
“Richard shares Proskauer’s vision of serving asset managers, and his extensive experience in private equity and growth capital transactions will be a terrific asset,” says Mary Kuusisto, head of Proskauer’s London office. “We continue to build an acclaimed team and believe in offering true business partners to our clients.”
Bull has a domestic and international corporate practice, including M&A, private investments and joint ventures. Representing asset managers in connection with their investments, he focuses on
Head of Debt Advisory Mark Taylor has joined the UK Board at Clearwater International.
Taylor has been with the business since 2012 when he joined as Partner and became International Head of Debt Advisory. Prior to this Mark worked for Ernst & Young (EY), NatWest/RBS and Banco Santander, with over 20 years’ experience within corporate banking. Mark was listed in Mergermarket’s top 15 financial advisors both in 2016 and 2017.
Taylor will be joining Clearwater International’s CEO Michael Reeves, UK Managing Partner Phil Burns and Partner Marcus Archer on the UK Board. In addition to the continued expansion of
Perkins Coie has appointed Elizabeth Kemery Sipes as a partner in the firm’s Denver office where she will focus on representing private investment funds.
Sipes advises the sponsors of private investment funds, including private equity, venture capital funds, real estate private equity and hedge funds, on matters involving structuring onshore and offshore funds, upper tier management and general partner entities, reorganisations, side letter negotiations and investment adviser registrations and exemptions.
“Elizabeth’s considerable experience providing investment counsel to clients with sophisticated global financial interests strengthens Perkins Coie’s role as recognised trusted advisors for clients with specialised investment needs,” says Michael
US law firm Akerman has expanded its corporate, finance and private equity practice with the addition of corporate finance partner Robert J Stein in New York.
Previously a partner in the debt finance group at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Stein joins Akerman as the co-chair of its Corporate Finance and Lending Practice. His arrival strengthens the firm’s core corporate competencies, bolstering Akerman’s ability to represent clients in the structuring and negotiating of leveraged buyouts, recapitalisations, secured and unsecured financings, fund-level and high yield financings, and loan workouts and restructurings.
“Robby is a well-respected and exceptionally talented finance lawyer, whose
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