18/10/2022 - Market news
Clearwater International unveil record UK half year results following robust previous financial year end
UK and international offices pursued a period of strategic expansion
Global corporate finance firm Clearwater International has revealed record UK results, for the first half of the financial year to September 2022. This follows record results for the previous financial year, where UK and international offices pursued a period of strategic expansion by:
- Developing new service lines
- Growing teams across all territories
- Importantly, investing in new partners in strategically key sectors
doubles the total deal value experienced during the financial half year ending September 2021
The first half of this financial year has been particularly successful for the UK firm, advising on 24 transactions, with a total value of more than £2bn. This doubles the total deal value experienced during the financial half year ending September 2021.
Clearwater’s strong service offering of M&A advice, Debt Advisory, Financial Modelling and Data Analytics is delivering outstanding transactions for clients. Additionally, the newly launched entrepreneurial focussed brand Clearwater Growth is now beginning to have an exciting impact on the business’ wider growth.
During the last six months, the UK team have advised on a number of notable transactions including:
- Advising IT managed services provider Littlefish on its investment from Bowmark Capital
- Delivering the sale of multi-utility services specialist OCU Group Limited, to Triton Partners
- Raising debt facilities for holiday cottage rental agency Sykes’, to support the acquisition of Forest Holidays
- Advising on the sale of the testing, inspection and geoengineering consulting services provider CTS Group, from Palatine to Oakley Capital
exceptional 12 months to March 2022, delivering revenue of over €150m across 16 offices
With regard to the firm’s global performance, this strong half year activity is being replicated across many of its international offices. This follows an exceptional 12 months to March 2022, which delivered revenue of over €150m across its 16 offices.
UK results driven by strategic investment
Clearwater International’s UK results have grown because of 18 months of strategic investment. During this period, the firm has;
- Launched a new division, Clearwater Growth, to satisfy the demand of fast-growing entrepreneur-led, owner-managed businesses
- More than doubled the size of its Financial Modelling and Data Analytics team, augmenting its advanced technological proposition through the appointment of key talent, with the aim of delivering enhanced benefit for clients
- Made senior appointments, including Christopher Jones as Head of London and International Head of Consumer, Sarah Taylor as Head of the Midlands, plus three appointments at partner level into the Debt Advisory team - Richard Clark and Simon Chambers have joined the business in the London office, with Tom Barnwell being promoted within the Manchester team
- Created a new ESG agenda following the recruitment of Jo Daley as Head of Impact, who in addition to setting the strategic direction of the firm’s ESG strategy, will also develop ESG offerings to clients
Recent activity has also received positive external recognition and awards. At the Yorkshire Business Desk Rainmaker Awards 2022, Clearwater International was named Corporate Finance Team of the Year, and won PE Exit of the Year for advising specialist IT & Digital apprenticeship provider Estio Training, on its sale to global education provider BPP Education Group, in a landmark transaction representing Palatine Impact Fund’s first exit.
The Midlands team also secured the Corporate Finance Advisory Team of the Year title at the Insider Midlands Dealmakers Awards 2022, as well as winning Refinance Deal of the Year for advising CTS on its refinancing, and Deal of the Year for advising Sykes on raising debt to support the acquisition of Forest Holidays.
Clearwater International’s UK CEO, Mark Taylor comments:
“Our strong start to the financial year provides us with confidence to continue investing in high-class talent within our sector. Specifically, we have strong ambitions to bolster our client offering within London, with an imminent move to larger premises to support this and to be undertaken in 2023.
The team has carried on the strong momentum from the previous financial year with the completion of a variety of significant transactions. This success is a result of effective collaboration and hard work.
Clearwater International’s consistently robust results, both in the UK and internationally, are testament to our ability to unlock opportunities for our clients, by leveraging our deep sector knowledge and geographical coverage. Our current and potential clients will need and demand first class advice when considering their strategic ambitions, and we are extremely well placed to provide this.”
