Leslie Fenton Joins KPMG

Leslie Fenton has joined the Chicago office of KPMG Corporate Finance as a managing director and head of insurance I-banking. She previously was with Navigant Consulting. 

PRESS RELEASE

Leslie G. Fenton joins KPMG Corporate Finance LLC's Chicago office as managing director and head of its Insurance Investment Banking team. Ms. Fenton will be responsible for advising both domestic and international clients on investment banking transactions in the insurance and other related industries.

Ms. Fenton brings more than 25 years experience as an investment banker specializing in insurance corporate finance. Her expertise covers a broad range of insurance businesses, and her transactional experience includes new capital issuance in both public and private markets, advising on strategic and private equity-sponsored mergers and acquisitions. She has also implemented structured finance solutions for insurance companies and for insurance and healthcare-related services companies.

In addition, Ms. Fenton has provided advisory services for domestic and foreign carriers as well as private equity investors. She offers significant experience in advising on “lift out” transactions and management buy-outs, working with companies and shareholder constituencies on specialty transactions for maximizing shareholder value. She also works with regulators and agencies to execute transactions for the benefit of policyholders.

“Leslie is a true pioneer in the specialized field of insurance and brings a wealth of information that is of tremendous value to our team and our clients,” said Stephen Gaines, head of KPMG Corporate Finance LLC. “Her deep industry knowledge and strategic, hands-on approach to client service have earned her an outstanding reputation in the field. She will be a great asset to our firm in building and leading our insurance team.”

Previously, Ms. Fenton worked for Navigant Consulting, Inc. and Navigant Capital Advisors, LLC where she was managing director. She began her career in the Chicago office of The Boston Consulting Group. From there, she served as vice president at Kidder, Peabody & Co. Incorporated where she helped found the insurance investment banking group in Kidder's corporate finance department. Ms. Fenton then served as managing director with Security Pacific Merchant Bank and partner at Cochran, Caronia & Co.

“I am pleased to expand the firm's global presence in insurance and to build out this vital financial services sector in the U.S. market with my new colleagues,” said Leslie G. Fenton, managing director. “The insurance sector is busily responding to weather catastrophes, the energy and subprime crises, and a constantly changing healthcare environment, all the while investing in technology, new distribution and new markets