Independent accounting and business advisory firm HURST has bolstered its corporate finance practice amid a buoyant deals market.
Luc Couyava has joined HURST as a corporate finance executive and is providing advice and support to clients across a range of sectors and transactions.
He has moved back to the north west from HMT, an independent corporate advisory practice based in Henley and London, where he led transactions including advising private equity investors, corporate and trade buyers on numerous acquisitions.
Before joining HMT, Luc worked at MHA Moore and Smalley in Preston and then at south west practice Hazlewoods.
His move to HURST comes as the firm’s corporate finance business continues to grow.
The eight-strong team of M&A experts, supported by over 100 HURST colleagues in business services, tax and digital teams, focuses on advising owner-managed companies and entrepreneurs on acquisitions, sales, debt funding and private equity investments with transaction values of £5m-£30m.
Luc’s appointment also comes as HURST Corporate Finance unveils a dedicated website to highlight its position as a boutique offering with the strapline ‘Your Future. Our Focus’.
The new website explains the team’s mission as ‘path makers’ – to guide, protect and inspire business owners and entrepreneurs through the deals that will help them to realise their life’s work.
Nigel Barratt, head of HURST Corporate Finance, said: “Luc is a motivated and focused professional and we are thrilled to welcome him to the team. We know that his recent deal experience will be invaluable to clients.
“His appointment and our recent office move demonstrate our commitment to maintaining the growth of our corporate finance business. We’ve continued to expand by providing owner-managed businesses and entrepreneurs with compelling advice as they consider their plans for the future.
“Our deals are increasing in size and complexity, and hence the need to expand our team.”
Nigel said he expects the deals market to remain buoyant under the new Labour government.
“We have all known for some time that a change of national government was inevitable and that greater stability should follow the general election,” he said.
“On this basis, we believe that merger and acquisition activity will continue unabated and we look forward to working with our clients who are growing their businesses and need access to more capital and skills, or are facing life events where M&A transactions can provide solutions.
“We’re proud to serve clients across all sectors, and we see further consolidation in the provision of business and professional services. This is where we are currently seeing strong valuations and investor appetite.
“Buying or selling a business can be one of life’s most difficult yet defining moments for any owner or entrepreneur.
“The key to deal success is a corporate finance team that is trusted and will guide business owners through the maze of M&A to create a successful path to the future. That is the message reflected in our new, dedicated corporate finance website.”
Luc said: “I am very excited to return to the north west after three years in the south and to join HURST Corporate Finance, who have a significant number of deals in the pipeline and a stellar reputation for providing excellent advice and service to clients.”
HURST recently moved its head office to a new flagship development in Stockport to accommodate its growing team, taking 11,000sq ft at 3 Stockport Exchange, the latest phase of a £145m project by Muse Developments and Stockport Council.