Professional services firm has appointed industry veterans Dean James and Nilufar Fowler to lead a new London-based team focused on M&A, capital raising and strategic advisory.
Professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) has expanded its Corporate Finance division with a new practice dedicated to the music and immersive entertainment industries. The firm has hired Dean James as a Managing Director and Nilufar Fowler as a Senior Director to establish and lead the new offering from London.
The move signals A&M's strategic focus on what it identifies as a high-growth area. According to Jonathan Boyers, A&M's Head of Corporate Finance for EMEA, the combined global live music and immersive entertainment markets are valued at over $170 billion. The new team will concentrate on advising clients on mergers and acquisitions, private capital raising, and strategic partnerships within this sector.
Both new hires bring extensive experience from the entertainment and marketing industries. James has over 25 years of experience in the live music business, having co-led Mean Fiddler, which was sold to Live Nation, and MAMA Group, which was acquired by HMV Group in 2010. Fowler spent 18 years at advertising and PR firm WPP, most recently leading its Global Strategic Partnerships function, where she worked across technology, entertainment and commerce. Prior to joining A&M, James and Fowler co-founded SAMBA Group, a holding company focused on live music and marketing services.
"Strong consumer demand for live experiences and increasing brand investment is driving double-digit growth across the live music and entertainment markets," James stated in a release. "As deal activity and investment across the sector continue to accelerate, there is growing demand for high-quality strategic advisory."
The new team will be based at Tileyard London, a large community of independent artists and creative businesses, positioning them directly within the industry they aim to serve. Their focus will include not only traditional M&A and capital raising but also advising brands on sponsorships and partnerships.
SOURCE: Alvarez & Marsal
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