Clearwater strengthens European Debt Advisory team with new hires
Global corporate finance advisory firm Clearwater International has further strengthened its European Debt Advisory team with two new senior appointments.
Simon Chambers and Richard Clark join the team as partners based in the firm’s London office, alongside existing partner Chris Smith. They will become part of the European Debt Advisory practice making it one of the largest in Europe with a team of 35, including nine Partners.
The appointments follow a period of sustained growth in Clearwater International’s Debt Advisory business, which has completed more than 480 Debt Advisory transactions since inception.
Simon and Richard have worked alongside each other since 2010, initially with DC Advisory. They since established GCA Altium’s UK Debt Advisory Practice in 2014 (now part of Houlihan Lokey).
Chambers has over 20 years’ experience advising mid-market corporates and sponsors on raising, refinancing, amending and restructuring debt facilities. Prior to his advisory roles, Simon held a number of positions at Barclays, latterly in the leveraged finance team. Before banking he was an engineer at Rolls Royce.
Clark specialises in delivering acquisition financings, refinancings, dividend recapitalisations, staple debt financing, and restructurings across a wide range of industries for both private equity and corporate clients. His career spans 23 years with roles at Close Brothers, DC Advisory and JP Morgan, in addition to GCA Altium.
Mark Taylor, UK CEO of Clearwater International, said: “The continued growth of our Debt Advisory team in the current climate reflects their expertise in developing sophisticated funding structures and ensuring transactions proceed at pace. We have been particularly keen to build upon this, both within the UK and internationally, and I am personally delighted that Richard and Simon have chosen to join us.
“The guys are both highly experienced with long track records of building strong relationships and delivering a diverse range of successful deals, particularly within private equity where we are growing right across Europe.
“Their arrival further strengthens a team which is already highly regarded for creating tailored, competitive packages for clients looking to raise new debt capital or refinance existing facilities.”
Richard Clark, partner, Clearwater International, said: “It’s exciting to be joining a firm that’s growing its capabilities and international reach year on year. Clearwater International’s Debt Advisory team is an increasingly strong presence in the market and I’m looking forward to working closely with Chris, Mark and the rest of the team to contribute to its future success.”
Simon Chambers, partner, Clearwater International, said: “I’m joining Clearwater International, as we share the same enthusiasm for providing the best advice to our clients. It’s an exciting time for the global firm, which has seen a strong increase in deal volume, size and complexity, and has demonstrated commitment to continue its successful growth.”
Founded twenty years ago, Clearwater International achieved strong global growth in FY 21/22, with revenues reaching €153m.
During that period, the business completed 221 deals, representing a 60% increase in deal volume and making Clearwater one of the most active Pan-European corporate finance advisors.
The business also recently launched Clearwater Growth in the UK, a new division that provides a range of transaction services tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs and owner managers of businesses with turnovers up to £40m and equity cheques up to £15m.
