Alvarez & Marsal expands UK debt advisory team
Alvarez & Marsal has expanded its debt advisory business in the North West of England.
The professional services firm has appointed Jane Hartley who has already begun her role as senior director of its debt advisory team, and an unnamed “director with an asset-based finance background” who is set to join in early 2024.
The two new hires will work with senior director Jane Chadwick, who joined in March.
The team will be based in Manchester, representing the firm’s first on-the-ground debt advisory presence in the region.
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“In a difficult macroeconomic environment, particularly amid higher interest rates, more businesses are seeking debt advice to position themselves in this new context, whether that’s through refinancing, executing a transaction or supporting the next phase of growth,” said Tim Metzgen, managing director, European head of debt advisory at Alvarez & Marsal.
“As the market opportunity widens, we are investing in our growing debt advisory team given the market opportunity for independent advice. Jane Hartley and Jane Chadwick, bring a wealth of experience in advising clients in the North-West and across the UK.”
Hartley has more than 20 years of industry experience across corporate and structured debt finance and advisory. In her new role, she will focus on leveraged finance, helping predominantly private equity backed companies to source, negotiate and amend debt finance via a broad range of structures.
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She previously held the position of director in EY’s capital & debt advisory team and before that, she spent almost 10 years at Yorkshire Bank providing bespoke debt funding solutions to SMEs and mid-market corporates in the North-West.
“Joining A&M has given me the opportunity to take a client-first approach to debt advice, ensuring that clients, whatever their situation, have access to the support they need to navigate the more challenging market conditions,” said Hartley. “In the last decade, the debt advisory market has evolved rapidly, becoming increasingly broad and sophisticated. At the same time, over the last 18 months, credit appetite has also evolved, meaning that many businesses are required to look outside of more traditional channels to secure the funding they need. With A&M’s unique, entrepreneurial and integrated service offering, we are perfectly positioned to help our clients achieve their goals.”
Chadwick has spent more than 12 years working in the debt markets at Rothschild, HSBC and latterly KMPG where she was responsible for leading the debt advisory team’s work with publicly listed companies and large corporates across the regional landscape.
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“Over the last six months, the appetite and need for independent debt advice in the market has become increasingly evident. A&M’s range of service lines and our significant presence in the regional UK market is a key differentiator,” she said. “With the addition of new colleagues in debt advisory in the region, it will position us to address the range of situations and requirements our listed and private clients might need whether for growth capital or where business plans are under more stress.”
Alvarez & Marsal said that Chadwick’s focus on providing strategic advice to large corporates compliments the debt advisory team’s corporate client base across the EMEA region, whilst Hartley’s experience in leveraged finance transactions will support the firm’s new M&A practice.
The team will be supported by Josh Highley, an associate director, who joins from London.