Close to promotion

The new directors in the UK are: Gareth Davies, who has considerable experience advising companies in the support services sector on everything from M&A, to accessing the debt markets as well as restructuring. Transactions he has recently advised on include the US$535m secondary buy-out of global environmental consultant ERM; the £110m public takeover of quoted tool hirer Brandon Hire; and the £500m restructuring of road and rail infrastructure services provider Jarvis, Darren Redmayne, although currently working with the Pension Regulator, Darren returns to Close Brothers in October 2006 when he will assume responsibility for the Close Brothers pension advisory team. He will also be working in the advanced manufacturing sector across Europe. Simon Tilley will be working in the European debt advisory group he provides capital structure advice to companies and private equity groups. Recent transactions he has advised on include: the £70m refinancing of Virgin Money; the £140m restructuring of Ethel Austin and the £306m refinancing of Esporta Group

Close brothers has also made promotions across its European offices. In Germany promotions were bestowed upon Andreas Reinert, who focuses on the food and consumer goods sector; and Sascha Pfeiffer, who specialises in advising corporates and private equity groups in the European technology space. Both men have been promoted to managing director. Norbert Schmitz, has been promoted to director in the European debt advisory group.

In France, Close Brothers has appointed a new director, Hubert Chevrinais. His primary focus will be the technology sector. Chevrinais was previously with UBS, first in London where he was in charge of the equity capital market in France, then in Paris as an executive director. Clients he has advised include STMicroelectronics, Atos Origin, Vinci or Thomson. Martin Gudgeon, CEO of Close Brothers said: “I am delighted to welcome the new directors to the Board. Each has proved to be leaders in their field of expertise, providing significant value-enhancing advice to our clients and assisting the growth of our business. We have an increasingly formidable presence in all areas of our business – from debt advisory services and corporate restructuring to M&A advice across Europe. These promotions allow us to continue strengthening this position.”