Mid-market M&A whiz joins Forvis Mazars as partner
The firm says the appointment will meet growing client demand after the launch of Forvis and Mazars’ merger earlier this month.
Forvis Mazars has appointed a financial advisory partner with experience in mid-market merger and acquisitions to meet growing client demand following its global merger this month.
The firm said Simon Johnson joined its Melbourne office from a boutique M&A practice where he was involved in buy-side and sell-side transactions, capital raising and advisory services.
Melbourne managing partner Richard DeBon said: “We are delighted to welcome Simon to Melbourne.”
“He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our financial advisory division, with a proven track record of delivering effective and comprehensive transactions and advisory solutions to clients."
Johnson most recently spent four years as the lead adviser of boutique firm Mayfair Advisory, described as delivering "discreet mid-market transactions". Before that, he worked in the corporate finance division of mid-tier firm Pitcher Partners for six years.
His appointment comes after Mazars and top 10 US public accounting firm Forvis created a global, two-firm network earlier this month.
Under the arrangement, both groups would remain owned by their current respective partnerships but would operate under a single brand worldwide and have about €4.7 billion ($7.9 billion) in revenue.
Forvis Mazars said the merger meant the firm’s scale, agility and capacity would be increased to support clients at every stage of their development and further demonstrated its commitment to providing exceptional services to clients.
DeBono said Johnson would also “play a key role in helping our firm continue to meet the growing needs of our local and international clientele”.
“Simon will be a great addition to the Australian team and we look forward to introducing him to our clients and our networks, both locally and internationally.”
Last week, Forvis Mazars also announced a string of leadership roles as part of its new model:
- Hervé Hélias will serve as the first chair of the global network board. He will also continue to serve his ongoing mandate as chairman of the group executive board of Forvis Mazars Group, SC (formerly Mazars Group).
- Matt Snow, chairman of Forvis Mazars, LLP (formerly FORVIS, LLP) will serve as vice chair of the global network board.
- In the US, Tom Watson will continue to serve as chief executive of Forvis Mazars, LLP and will also sit on the network board.
- Rob Pruitt, Fran Randall and Tim York from Forvis Mazars, LLP will sit on the global network board.
- David Chaudat, Pascal Jauffret, Véronique Ryckaert and Phil Verity from Forvis Mazars Group will sit on the global network board.
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