KPMG strengthens PE practice

KPMG has formally launched its private equity group to form a dedicated professional services team focused solely on the needs of the private equity market.

Oliver Tant is head of the team of 48 professionals, which includes 11 partners. The group includes specialist teams from assurance, corporate finance, legal and tax and transaction services. Heading these specialist areas and reporting to Tant are Anthony Cecil, head of assurance, Charles Milner, head of corporate finance, Moray Macpherson, head of legal, Paul Megson, head of tax and Stephen Cole, senior partner, transaction services. The team will work effectively together to get leads from funds work for transaction flow and vice versa.

Tant says a consolidation of the practice has created a group with a better integration of skills. The formation of the group is drawing together the best and most experienced private equity practitioners from across the firm, he says. The team has been in place for six months as a concept, but has only recently physically united its efforts to one location.

The reason for the change in the group’s structure is a reaction to the changing environment, says Tant. “We think it is something the market has an appetite for. We have confidence about the future of the private equity market and as it is evolving and becoming more sophisticated, financial services advisors also have to change their game.”