The M&A Series: Look Who’s Buying?
An M&A overview of marketing services.
An interactive expert panel session, we looked beyond an overview of recent activity and explored emerging trends of corporate activity within the marketing services sector.
The Panel
Tony Walford, Partner, Green Square: Tony has a wealth of experience from within the marketing communications sector, not only across mergers & acquisitions, but also in a strategic advisory capacity. He has led transactions across many marcomms disciplines including digital, PR, corporate comms, branding, experiential, research, sponsorship and healthcare advertising. He has also advised many agencies on growth strategy and preparing for sale. Tony founded the multi-award winning M&A boutique Green Square in 2008.
Laurence Buchanan, Partner & Head of Digital EMEIA, Ernst & Young: Laurence is a Partner within EY’s Advisory business and leads Digital for the EMEIA region. He works with clients to help them understand and respond to the opportunities and threats posed by digital disruption. Laurence’s credentials speak for themselves. With a decade of experience at SAP, where he was EMEA Vice President for CRM and 7 years in Consulting, he is a recognised authority and evangelist on Digital Transformation, Customer Experience and CRM.
Anu Shah, Corporate Development, BBH: Anu has worked as an entrepreneur, advisor and investor within the marketing, media and technology sector for over 15 years. From start-ups through to established market leaders, his focus has been on building new businesses, monetising innovation and accelerating corporate development. Anu works for BBH (Bartle Bogle Hegarty), part of Publicis Groupe looking at corporate development and corporate venturing opportunities for the group.
Andrew Garside, Partner at Livingbridge: Living Bridge is an independent private equity investor that is very active in the sector. As Partner, Andrew leads one of the investment teams and has been involved with numerous marketing and technology business and transactions. Businesses invested in are typically valued between £5m and £75m. Andrew and his team have a well-established track record of helping ambitious entrepreneurs create long-term value and market leadership.
Simon Samuel, MD of Talentarc: Simon has a background in business services, including EMEA M&A responsibility for a US listed group, before establishing Talentarc, an executive search business in the marketing services, media and tech sectors. He works predominantly with marcomms clients to help them source, retain and develop leadership talent. In addition to some small scale corporate activity in recently establishing 3 new JVs!
Who Attended?
The M&A Series is geared towards Directors and C-Level individuals who are interested in and/or responsible for business development and growth, sale and acquisition, finance and raising funds. 70 delegates joined us on the day; typically CEO’s, MD’s, business owners and CFO’s.
