Big hitter: Paul Stout, Corporate Finance Director, PKF Francis Clark (centre) with (left) Andrew Killick, Head of Corporate Finance, and James Robinson, Office Managing Partner, Poole.
PKF Francis Clark has added extra firepower to its corporate finance team in the South with the arrival of ‘big hitter’ Paul Stout.
Paul, previously at Grant Thornton, has been appointed Corporate Finance Director and will lead the accountancy firm’s corporate finance team in Dorset and Hampshire.
The move underlines PKF Francis Clark’s commitment to the Southern region and the level of work the corporate finance team has generated and completed in recent months.
With the addition of Paul, the firm’s corporate finance team is now 17 strong, making it one of the best-resourced and experienced teams in the region.
Paul has gained an excellent reputation in the South’s corporate finance market working closely with the region’s banks, lawyers and venture capitalists to complete some high quality transactions.
In the last 12 months they have included the sale of Pinnacle Foods, the acquisition of ITEC for VTCT and the sale of Utility Funding Limited.
Andrew Killick, PKF Francis Clark’s Head of Corporate Finance, said: “On the back of another record year for the corporate finance team, Paul’s appointment gives us additional geographical reach and depth to continue the growth of our advisory services.
“The funding climate combined with the current strength of valuation multiples and a favourable capital gains tax regime makes it an ideal time for entrepreneurs to undertake transactions. Paul is regarded as a real ‘big hitter’ in the sector and his appointment will help us assist more clients to achieve their plans.”
Paul, who attended Poole Grammar School and is a former graduate of the University of Southampton, added: “PKF Francis Clark is an ambitious firm with big plans for the future.
“There are a large number of opportunities across the South coast market and we are continuing to see an upturn in M&A (mergers and acquisitions) activity and enquiries.”
James Robinson, Office Managing Partner at PKF Francis Clark’s Poole office, said: “Paul’s appointment gives us the firepower to deliver specialist advice to our clients across the patch and continue to grow our footprint.”
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About PKF Francis Clark
Chartered accountants and business advisers PKF Francis Clark has annual revenue of £38 million, a team of more than 600 people and 58 partners. Founded in 1919, the award-winning firm has eight offices across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset and Wiltshire. PKF Francis Clark is a member of PKF UKI which is ranked 11th in the Accountancy Age 2016 survey of top accountancy firms.
