The 2021 Top 25 Consultants: Fernando Batlle

Fernando Batlle is the Chairman of LATAM and a Senior Managing Director at Ankura, based in Miami. He has 30 years of professional experience in both the private and public sector developing and executing strategies for managing complex issues, including restructuring situations involving multiple stakeholders. He has held senior leadership positions in securities brokerage and investment banking, asset management, commercial banking and public finance, with a track record of executing turnarounds and growing businesses. His broad experience includes strategic transformation and organization building, from "vision-to-strategy-to-execution."

Since joining Ankura in 2017, he has been the lead financial and strategic advisor to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, representing the Government in restructuring and advising on strategic matters as well as financial management, performance improvement, and cost reduction initiatives.

Fernando was recently appointed the Chairman of Ankura's Latin American and Caribbean practice. He will be working on expanding the firm's presence in the region, initially into Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Argentina. He recognizes the importance of bringing together global and local resources to provide a keen awareness of local markets.

What does winning this award mean to you?

"This award would serve as recognition for our entire team for the work we have completed as well as our ongoing work in Puerto Rico. The past few years have been a complicated period of time for Puerto Rico, considering the two hurricanes, earthquakes, as well as the effects of the global pandemic. Our team has stepped up to advise the Government in these trying times. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and I have always known the island to be resilient in its efforts to come back after natural catastrophes."

"As the principal strategic advisor to the Government of Puerto Rico in the most complicated municipal bankruptcy to date, it has been rewarding and humbling to be able to support the government in steering the government finances in the direction of helping its people. We have been able to positively impact 3.2 million lives and allow businesses to stay afloat. Our role is much more than punching numbers on a spreadsheet or coming up with sophisticated models; we are working on bettering the economy and giving Puerto Ricans a future filled with opportunity."

What's been the biggest factor in your success?

"The top factors to my success have been: Support, Teamwork, and Doing What is Right. Since joining Ankura in 2017, I have had the utmost support from Kevin Lavin, our Chief Executive Officer. He has supported us through tough decisions and allowed us to take the necessary risks to be successful. The support that we've had while working on the engagement in Puerto Rico has enabled us to grow our team and to take on roles that we normally would not have the opportunity to undertake. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to work for an organization like Ankura."

"Teamwork has also been a tremendous factor to my success. We are only as strong as the team working beside us, and I am extremely proud of the team working on the Puerto Rico engagement and the results we have achieved to date. I attribute this in great part to our company culture where collaboration drives results. We have been able to pull the right resources throughout our firm with over 105 professionals from six different business groups and more than 20 areas of expertise leveraged to provide the best solutions to our clients."

"Finally, I was taught from a young age to always do what is right, not only in my personal life but also in a professional capacity. I was taught to be respectful and to be responsible and intentional with my actions. Using these skills in my professional career has been a huge factor in my success."

What has motivated you to excel over the course of your career?

"I wake up every day with one goal in mind, and that is to be a better person than I was the day before. It is a mentality and a way of thinking. I always have a healthy level of being unsure of what will come my way, and I think that keeps me on my toes and reminds me of the importance of not being entitled, taking a role for granted, or getting complacent in that role. Every day I strive to be better and to be flexible with anything unexpected that may come my way. My motivation is also driven by mentoring our younger professionals. It is truly rewarding to work with this new generation, to help them learn from mistakes, and to watch them grow both personally and professionally. I have shown the same support that I have received from our CEO to my team, and we benefit from a mutually respectful relationship."

"As the father of two daughters embarking on their careers, it is important and motivating to me to be a good role model for them, to help guide them down a successful and fulfilling path, and to make sure that they strive to always do better for themselves and care for others."