Specialist corporate advisers Chase Corporate Advisory (Chase) has bolstered its senior ranks to capture growing demand from Australia’s accountancy and financial services sectors for M&A and related transaction services expertise.
The firm today announced the immediate appointment of Chris Jordan, AO as Executive Chairman and Andrew Gale as Executive Director.
Chase is a boutique corporate advisory and M&A business focused on the financial services and accountancy practices sector. It typically acts on behalf of vendors or entities looking to sell, change ownership structure or merge. Financial service entities include financial planning practices, licensees, fund managers and superannuation funds.
The firm seeks to capture and service growing demand created by significant consolidation activity within the financial services and accountancy practices sectors.
“The directors of Chase Corporate Advisory (CCA) have extensive experience in strategy, equity capital markets, syndication and M&A, complemented by deep experience and an extensive network of strong & relevant relationships in the Financial Services sector,” said Chase founder, Mr Jeff Singh.
“We are delighted to welcome Chris and Andrew to the firm. Their appointments will significantly expand the clientele served by Chase.”
Andrew Gale has also acquired a significant equity stake in Chase Corporate Advisory. Jeff Singh said “This is a strong indication of Andrew’s commitment to the business.”
Chase Corporate Advisory was founded by Managing Director, Jeff Singh, in early 2011 following a 23 year investment banking career with Barclays Capital, GE Capital and Macquarie Bank Ltd. Chase has already completed eight transactions covering circa $2.5 billion in FUA nationally and has further mandates with circa $6 billion in FUA already engaged.
A number of distinctive elements signify Chase’s services – a tight industry focus; acting on behalf of vendors; strong personal networks of contacts with both acquirer and vendor entities; the high personal engagement of senior principals; and a very high success rate in achieving outcomes.
Andrew Gale said “Over the next five years in particular, there will be a major change in ownership of both accounting and financial planning practices. For example, over 34% of financial planners are aged over 50, and 14% of all planners are expected to retire or seek a managed exit in the next five years. In many cases, there will also be increasing integration between accounting and planning practices.
“In addition, there is expected to be continued strong consolidation of AFSL licensees, driven largely by regulatory reform, and also strong consolidation in both the funds management sector and superannuation funds sector, driven by industry dynamics. The aim of Chase is to serve vendor or merger clients in each of these areas.”
Chase Corporate Advisory also appointed Richard English as a Director, effective as from July 1. Richard was admitted as barrister in the UK in 1995 and previously had senior roles in the Private Wealth division of Macquarie Bank.