Mid-market advisory firm Clearwater Corporate Finance has sent out a stark indication of its international ambitions by merging with two European firms and signing a strategic alliance in China.
Clearwater, which has a significant team in Birmingham alongside bases in Nottingham, Manchester and London, has joined up with Danish firm Advizer and IMAP Lynx, which operates from Spain and Portugal.
The merger will create an independent advisory firm able to provide clients with greater access to international mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and financing services.
In addition, Clearwater has signed an agreement for an alliance with China-based investment bank InterChina with a view to capitalising on M&A opportunities in Asia.
The agreement formalises a long-standing relationship between the two firms.
The merged business has changed its name to Clearwater International and now has 13 offices, 35 partners and 150 staff across Europe and Asia.
Over the last decade, the combined firm has closed more than 670 transactions worth an aggregate value of €14 billion (£11.3 billion) and the company will now operate nine integrated international sector teams.
Mike Reeves, chief executive of Clearwater International, said: "Our clients are increasingly looking for international solutions for their M&A and funding needs.
"This merger represents a major step in delivering a highly differentiated service.
"We will increase the footprint of Clearwater International over the coming months and years to create the leading independent mid-market corporate firm operating globally through one integrated business."
Birmingham-based Phil Burns, UK managing partner, added: "This merger provides us with the capacity to deepen our sector focus in a truly integrated way.
"This will open up considerable opportunity for the businesses we work with and enable us to deliver excellent client outcomes."
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