The Terra Alliance held its 35^th international M&A conference on the 25^thand 26^thof April in Madrid, hosted by the Spanish member firm, Sabadell Corporate Finance. Over 30 delegates, representing 16 member firms from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, and Europe, benefitted from sharing cross-border M&A opportunities, local market insight and emerging global sector trends.

The Madrid conference comes after a remarkably successful year of trading in 2018, which saw member firms complete over 100 transactions with a combined value of more than US$11 billion, a 64% year-on-year increase.

The next Terra Alliance conference will be hosted by US member firm, Consensus, in New York in September 2019.  Consensus is a leading consumer sector specialist and the conference is timed to coincide with the Consensus Great Brands Show (http://greatbrandsshow.com/), a high profile event held at the NY Times Center in Times Square in New York City.  Now entering its ninth year, the Great Brands show is the pre-eminent showcase for high-impact, high-potential consumer brands, and the capital providers who fuel their growth.

About The Terra Alliance

Formed in 2002, The Terra Alliance consists of 16 investment banks and independent advisory firms with coverage of more than 40 countries and offices on six continents.  It is a highly effective network, characterized by strong cooperation between the member firms, and a long track record of transaction success.  The Alliance meets every six months to originate cross-border M&A and to enable members to share local knowledge and perspectives. Over the past five years member firms have completed 386 transactions with a combined value of $39 billion.  More details can be found at http://www.terra-alliance.com

We are delighted to announce that Andrew Clegg has won the title of 2019 Dealmaker of the Year at the South East Insider Dealmakers Awards, which celebrates the best industry professionals in the region.

The judging panel announced Andrew’s win stating: “Last year was an outstanding one for him, as he led the Quercus team that has generated record fees and deal completions. He personally led on five deals, a mix of acquisitions, disposals and buyouts, as well private equity investment. As an important and well-respected figure in the region, Andrew was the outstanding dealmaker of the year.”

Andrew commented: “I am extremely proud to be recognised by my peers  but the reality is that the growth and success Quercus has achieved as a business over recent years has been down to the strength and depth of our team and our global reach so, while individual awards are very flattering, they are equally a reflection of the organisation as a whole. I would like to thank all of the team for their incredible commitment and skill and also our clients for their support and trust.”

Leading technology sector specialist investment bank, GrowthPoint of the USA, announced as a new member firm of the Terra Alliance network.

The Terra Alliance held its latest bi-annual international corporate finance meeting in Singapore last week hosted by East Asia member firm, Pickering Pacific.

Representatives of the Alliance’s 15 member firms came together to discuss current and future opportunities for cross-border M&A and capital raisings. The member firms reported strong activity in 2018 so far as well as an increase in cross-border deals involving more than one of the members.

During the meeting, it was announced that US investment bank, GrowthPoint Technology Partners, would join the Alliance with immediate effect. GrowthPoint provides M&A and financial advisory services to technology companies.

The Singapore meeting represents the Terra Alliance’s 34th international corporate finance meeting following the most recent gathering in London in April 2018. The next meeting will be held in Madrid in April 2019 and will be hosted by local member firm, Sabadell Corporate Finance.

Andrew Clegg, Quercus Partner and Terra Alliance steering committee member said:

“The themes that emerge from our six monthly conferences represent a useful bellwether of international M&A  and the main takeaway from Singapore was the reassuring levels of deal activity involving member firms across the globe.   Growthpoint’s appointment is a very exciting development; they are a US West Coast technology specialist and their relationships, insights and perspectives will be of great value to our clients going forward”.

Quercus Corporate Finance LLP is delighted to announce that it has been shortlisted four times in the 2016 Insider Dealmakers Awards.

For the second year in a row the team has been shortlisted as 'Corporate Finance Team of the Year', Andrew Clegg received 'Corporate Finance Adviser of the Year' and 'Dealmaker of the Year' nominations and Amanda Hall was also nominated in the 'Dealmaker of the Year' category.

Nick Standen, Chairman of Quercus, commented:

“I am delighted that the community has recognised our latest deal activity with these much valued nominations.  Our strategy of providing high quality transactional advice to mid-market companies continues to bear fruit and we enter the New Year busier than ever.  The number of nominations at this year's Insider Awards  - including two in the prestigious Dealmaker category - shows not only our depth of offering but the breadth of talent across the team”.

Quercus Corporate Finance is delighted to announce an acquisition in the catering services sector as Harbour & Jones Ltd acquires Kent-based Principals Catering Consultants Ltd.

The Quercus team, led by Andrew Clegg, advised the Board of Harbour & Jones on its acquisition of Kent-based PCC and an associated funding package.  Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.

Headquartered in central London, Harbour & Jones is a privately owned pioneering and independent food services company, a leader in the field of contract catering and hospitality service with a clear ambition to grow both organically and via acquisition.

PCC is based in Beckenham and trades in both the events and business and industry fields as Fare of London, a prestigious contract catering and venue management business, and Principals Catering, a prominent education caterer.

The combination is highly complementary and provides Harbour & Jones with access to the schools catering sector.

Andrew Clegg, Partner of Quercus said:

“We are pleased to have successfully advised Harbour & Jones on the acquisition of PCC. There is clearly a strong commercial and cultural fit between the two businesses and the combination promises to be a very exciting proposition in the market".

Nick Thomas, Harbour & Jones’s Finance Director added:

“We are delighted to have worked with Quercus on this important transaction which underpins our ambitious growth plans. Quercus provided straightforward, objective advice and we clearly benefited from the years of experience they bring to a transaction. We are delighted with the outcome and look forward to working with them again in the future”.

Quercus Corporate Finance is delighted to announce the merger of South East law firm Thomas Eggar with Irwin Mitchell.

The Quercus team, led by Nick Standen, advised the Partners of Thomas Eggar LLP (“Thomas Eggar”) on its merger with Irwin Mitchell LLP (“Irwin Mitchell").

The financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.

Thomas Eggar is an innovative and highly regarded law firm operating across the South East of England. It has around 500 people including 70 partners and directors.  The merger will complement Thomas Eggar’s strong South-East practice with Irwin Mitchell’s national coverage and broader service offering. The combined firm will be the 11^th largest in the country.

Nick Standen, Quercus Partner said:

“I am delighted that Thomas Eggar is now joining forces with Irwin Mitchell.  The merger had compelling commercial logic and will further strengthen the Thomas Eggar business - increasing both its geographical footprint and the depth of service whilst at the same time providing a range of exciting new opportunities for its Partners and staff ".

Vicky Brackett, Managing Partner of Thomas Eggar added:

“My fellow partners and I are delighted to be coming together with Irwin Mitchell, whose ambitious plans will help Thomas Eggar to expand and achieve its full potential.  The advice provided by Nick and Neil at Quercus Corporate Finance was excellent; their focus on achieving the best result for us, together with their commerciality and transaction insight made a massive difference and we are delighted with the outcome”.