Ben, who previously worked at St George Bank, is an expert in providing targeted debt advisory solutions in order to support business growth. He has 13 years of corporate and commercial business banking experience.

There have also been two additional leadership team changes:

• Rahavan Yoganathan has been appointed as Managing Partner, Corporate Finance. This new role will see him taking on a company-wide leadership role, working out of the Sydney office.
• David Ward has been appointed as Senior Partner and Head of M&A and will focus on originating and executing M&A opportunities across the firm.

Debt-Advisory

The Debt Advisory team, led by Ben Upton, will use its knowledge of how banks operate and view risk in order to cut through the associated jargon and provide valuable advice to clients on the nature of debt management.

For this, the team will leverage its extensive network of relationships across the banking industry, and draw upon significant experience and knowledge, to provide insights that assist with all aspects of how a business works with financial institutions.

The Debt Advisory team will provide the following services:

• ‘Health Check’ of current financing arrangements
• Facilitate finance for acquisitions or investment in business growth
• Liaise with existing financiers to promote restructure of debt facilities or renegotiate structure
• Provide advice on the most relevant lending structure, interest rates and fees, terms, covenants, security and amortisation
• Negotiate with financiers on any disputes or possible covenant breaches to ensure continuing relationships
• Merger and acquisition advice and funding
• Maximising debt facilities and leverage balance sheet to remove “property” security

Peter Gardiner, Executive Manager Partner- Specialist Services, said: “Our corporate finance practice continues to be the leader of Australasian mid-market transactions. We are excited to grow the market facing presence of our corporate finance team and add a new capability to our business. Debt capital markets are increasingly complex and difficult to access. Relying on traditional banking relationships is also fraught with risk and conflict. We expect many existing and new clients to take advantage of Ben’s position as a trusted adviser with knowledge and relationships across the debt capital markets.”

Ben Upton, said: “The opportunity to join Crowe Horwath is exciting, my dealings with the business over the past have been genuine and insightful. I am invigorated by the innovative and progressive approach Crowe Horwath has taken to assist clients with their financial journey. I believe my 13 years of commercial and corporate banking experience can provide perspective and assistance in navigating the ins and outs of a business’ banking requirements, and provide value-add to client interactions with financial institutions.”

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Yasser El-Ansary

Crowe Horwath, one of Australia’s leading accountancy firms, and the Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCAL) have announced a partnership centred on the provision of foundation level private equity education for AVCAL members.

AVCAL, the national association representing the private equity and venture capital industry in Australia, has appointed the Crowe Horwath Corporate Finance team as the event series partner of its successful Private Equity 101 (PE101) professional development course for an initial period of up to two years.

AVCAL Chief Executive Officer, Yasser El-Ansary said foundation level programs such as PE101 are critically important to the private equity and venture capital industry, because they allow for the next generation of leaders to acquire the skills they need to succeed, while at the same time helping to foster strong networks that will continue throughout their career.

“We have worked with the Crowe Horwath Corporate Finance team for some time, and we know they have the depth of experience and skills to deliver significant value to members of our industry going through the PE101 program,” said Mr El-Ansary.

“The AVCAL and Crowe Horwath relationship will be a true partnership, as much of the training provided by Crowe Horwath will be carried out with the active involvement of a number of private equity and venture capital fund managers, who will share their first-hand investment experience with course participants,” Mr El-Ansary added.

Findex Global Head of Business Development, Peter Gardiner said both Findex and Crowe Horwath are looking forward to working with AVCAL.

“We know the private equity space very well. We are looking forward to working alongside senior fund managers and sharing our insights and skills with new participants into the industry.

“Crowe Horwath’s Corporate Finance team, led by Andrew Fressl and Rahavan Yoganathan will have prime responsibility for the project.

“Our Corporate Finance division is an outstanding team with an outstanding record across many sectors. Today’s announcement is recognition of this fact.

“Everyone here is looking forward to our collaboration with AVCAL,” Mr Gardiner said.

The post AVCAL appoints Crowe Horwath Australia for private equity training role appeared first on AdviserVoice.