Baird Appoints London MD

Baird, an employee-owned, international investment banking, private equity, wealth and asset management firm, is set to appoint Paul Bail as a managing director to its investment banking team in London. Bail will officially join Baird on Feb. 1.

PRESS RELEASE

Baird, an employee-owned, international investment banking, private equity, wealth and asset management firm, is set to appoint Paul Bail as a Managing Director to its Investment Banking team in London, further expanding the firm’s debt advisory offering and underscoring the firm’s continued growth and success despite the challenging climate for investment banks. Bail will officially join Baird on Feb. 1. Leveraging his deep relationships and more than 20 years of industry experience, he will be responsible for expanding Baird’s debt advisory offering to its European clients.

Bail was most recently Director, Debt Advisory – Private Equity transactions at Investec Bank where he was responsible for growing the private equity-related debt advisory business and building on an existing corporate debt advisory business and a private equity coverage initiative. Prior to Investec he spent 4 years at Barclays Bank Group, most recently as Managing Director, leading the Financial Sponsors Group. While at Barclays, Bail also served on the Board Director of Barclays Financial Investments Limited (“BFiL”), the fund investment vehicle for Barclays fund investments. He also spent 8 years at Bank of America and 7 years at TSB Group in various Financial Sponsor and Corporate Finance roles.

Bail’s appointment is yet another sign of the growing strength of Baird Investment Banking in Europe and around the globe. In a year when many investment banks struggled, Baird’s investment banking business had a record 2011, with revenues up nearly 50% from 2010. The business announced a record 73 M&A deals in 2011, 27 of which were in Europe, and has plans to continue recruiting top talent into 2012.

David Silver, Head of Baird’s European Investment Banking team, commented:

“We are delighted to welcome Paul to the team. Paul has an excellent reputation in the banking market as both a lender and an adviser. He is a team player and fits very well with Baird’s culture. His strong track record in providing debt advisory services and his deep relationships with financial sponsor groups makes him an exciting addition to Baird’s platform in Europe.

“Baird will continue to add talent in 2012. Having just completed a record year, we are keen to continue adding senior talent in Europe where we see tremendous opportunity. Of particular interest to us will be seasoned, sellside-oriented bankers in London and Frankfurt, with deep private equity relationships and/or sector knowledge in our core areas of focus – Industrials, Business Services, Consumer and Technology. Our stability, private ownership, culture, clear strategy and strong momentum combine to offer a highly attractive and sustainable platform.”

Bail commented:

“I am delighted to be joining Baird and utilise my experience to add debt advisory capabilities to what is a proven M&A franchise which continues to demonstrate strong growth.”