New partners to support Cowgills corporate finance growth

Following a year of unprecedented growth, Cowgills corporate finance has further bolstered its team with the appointment of two new partners: Dave Furlong to lead on debt advisory and Andrew Nelson to lead transaction services. 

Alongside the existing corporate finance and strategic services offerings, these additions enable Cowgills to provide a full range of deal advisory services to clients. Over the last year the team has completed deals across Lancashire with companies including Miller Waite, Community Health & Eye Care, Rogersons, Austin Wilkinson, Air Angel and Steel Dynamics.

An experienced banker and equity investor with over twenty years industry experience of lending and investing into SME businesses, Dave Furlong joins the corporate finance team as partner, heading up the team’s debt advisory service. In addition, Cowgills lead advisory team will benefit from Dave’s recent experience with early-stage venture capital investments. This appointment will strengthen Cowgills existing team and enable a deeper focus on supporting fast growing early-stage businesses.  Previously with Mavern Capital Partners Dave has worked with both Lloyds and HSBC Commercial Banking and also headed up the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.   

Andrew Nelson has also been appointed as partner to lead Cowgills transaction services. Having worked with KMPG for 17 years, Andrew is highly experienced on both  buy and sell side transactions and across all sectors of the market.

Commenting on his appointment Andrew said: “I am very much looking forward to building Cowgills transaction services capability alongside the fast growing and highly successful corporate finance team. We are able to bring deep experience and a fresh approach to due diligence that is focused on delivering real value for our clients. The full service deal advisory approach that is now offered within the team is a clear differentiator in the mid-market and is a compelling proposition for the small to mid-sized corporate and private equity market across Lancashire and the North West.”

Dave Furlong added: “Not only does Cowgills now provide corporate finance, debt funding and due diligence under one roof, but through its tax, VAT and wealth management services it offers a complete advisory service within the one team. Taking that holistic approach is an incredibly compelling proposition and something no one else of our size, is offering. I’m pleased to be joining the team at a time when there is a real opportunity to support those small to medium sized high-growth firms which are abundant in the region.”

Following a year of rapid growth and expansion Cowgills corporate finance team, which is led by Ian Johnson, Sam Davies and managing partner Paul Stringer, now numbers 19.

Commenting on the appointments and further expansion of the corporate finance team Cowgills corporate finance partner Sam Davies said: “Andrew and Dave bring with them an abundance of experience having both worked at the highest levels in their fields.  These two strategic hires further build on the momentum generated by the corporate finance team over the last few years.”

He continued: “We are consistently winning work from both boutique and the ‘Big 4’ accountancy firms and are in the top ten list of North West financial advisors on the Experian M&A review. That success is partly down to delivering a highly integrated offering across multiple service lines within the business and also a result of the strength of the long-term relationships we build with both our clients and investors. Now is a great opportunity for Cowgills to invest in the next generation of new talent and we are excited to welcome Andrew and Dave to the team.”

Last year Cowgills corporate finance team delivered deals with an enterprise value of over £160m, up 48% year-on-year, with £84.5m transacted in the final quarter of 2020 alone.