Investec Staffs Up

Investec Investment Bank and Securities has made two hires: Gareth Taylor, formerly with Deloitte, as a director who will lead the firm's coverage of private equity clients; and Matthew Wesley, previously with Lazard, as an associate director on the firm's Debt Advisory team. 

PRESS RELEASE

Investec Investment Bank and Securities, the specialist investment bank, today announces two appointments as the bank continues to build upon its position as a leading mid market specialist.  Gareth Taylor has joined as a Director in the Corporate Finance division to lead Investec's coverage of private equity clients and Matthew Wesley has joined the expanding Debt Advisory team as an Associate Director.

Gareth Taylor was previously a Director at Deloitte where he had significant transaction experience in the mid-market arena including advising Deutsche Bahn on its acquisition of Chiltern Railways, Close Brothers Private Equity on its disposal of Fishers and HgCapital on its Public-to-Private of shl Group.  Gareth has also worked at Barings and Merrill Lynch where he latterly focussed on the transportation and support services sector and also spent 18 months as Head of Group Corporate Development at National Express PLC where he oversaw a number of transactions for the Group.

Matthew Wesley was previously a Vice President in the Debt Advisory Team for Lazard, which he joined in 2004. His transactional experience includes advising Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (CSN) on their public offer for Anglo-Dutch steel maker Corus, supporting Nippon Sheet Glass' acquisition of glass maker Pilkington plc and a takeover defence for ITV plc.  Prior to Lazard, Matthew spent 3 years with Citigroup's Corporate and Investment Banking division in London.

David Currie, Co-Head of Investment Banking UK, commented: “Gareth's appointment is a further indication of our intention to expand our full service, integrated offering, which is a key differentiator for Investec in the mid market.  We are continuing to see some good opportunities in the private equity arena and I am confident that, with the addition of Gareth to the team, we are now in an even stronger position to take advantage of those.”

Nick Soper, Head of Debt Advisory at Investec, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Matthew to the team.  Our Debt Advisory business is experiencing growing demand across our corporate and private equity franchises, particularly in the current economic climate where companies require strategic financing advice, and we are confident that Matthew's experience and expertise will significantly enhance our capabilities going forward.”

Investec Investment Bank and Securities

Investec is an international specialist banking group that provides a diverse range of financial products and services to a niche client base in three principal markets, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Australia as well as certain other countries. The group was established in 1974 and currently has approximately 4,700 employees.

Investec focuses on delivering distinctive profitable solutions for its clients in five core areas of activity namely, Private Client Activities, Treasury and Specialised Finance, Investment Banking, Asset Management and Property Activities.

Investec Investment Bank provides a full range of services, including mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings (IPOs), fundraisings, debt advisory, market intelligence, management buyouts, management buy-ins and reconstructions. Its most recent client wins and transactions are listed below. Investec Securities (UK) provides research coverage on approximately 250 companies in the UK, spread across 13 sectors. 

In 2008 to date, Investec has advised on M&A transactions with a total value of