William Blair & Company announces the continuation of its global expansion with the opening of William Blair do Brasil Assessoria Financeira Ltda., a wholly owned subsidiary, in São Paulo, Brazil. From the São Paulo location, William Blair will expand its reach and relationships in other countries of Latin America. With the addition of this office, William Blair’s investment banking group now has active local coverage in North America, Europe, Latin America, India, Japan, China, and Korea.
“Our São Paulo office further expands our reach and ability to deliver optimal outcomes for our clients by clearing the market globally to find the best buyers. We see Brazil’s large and burgeoning economy as our gateway to Latin America. The region’s transaction landscape is rapidly expanding,” said Brent Gledhill, William Blair’s global head of investment banking.
Merger-and-acquisition activity in Brazil increased over 95% in deal value and more than 60% in volume from 2009 to 2010.(1) Brazilian companies were the targets in transactions totaling over $150 billion in 2010.(1) Investments in Brazil have increased dramatically in recent years as a result of its economic growth, high levels of employment, and growing middle class. This trend is expected to continue. In addition, Brazilian companies are predicted to increase domestic and international acquisitions because of their relatively low debt levels and cash-rich balance sheets, as well as the country’s appreciating currency.
“Our activity in Latin America has increased over the past year. In 2010, prior to opening the São Paulo office, we acted as exclusive financial advisor to ATIVI-Telecom Net, Inc., a Brazilian provider of payment processing services, in connection with its sale to Euronet Worldwide, Inc. Latin American buyers have also been more active in our sell-side advisory assignments since the beginning of 2010. Further, we are currently engaged on three Latin American advisory assignments,” said Tim Carroll, William Blair’s head of Latin American investment banking.
Simultaneously, Marcos Marcos joins William Blair as head of the São Paulo office and will report to Mr. Carroll. Mr. Marcos has more than 12 years of Latin American investment banking experience. “Latin America is in a unique historical period, with significant economic growth, booming investments, increasing political stability, strong middle-class expansion, and internationalization of local companies. Our presence in Latin America is important to our global expansion, strengthening our ability to advise local companies and our international clients on transactions in this very important and unique emerging market,” Mr. Marcos said.
About William Blair Investment Banking
William Blair’s investment banking group combines significant transaction experience, rich industry knowledge, and deep relationships to deliver successful advisory and financing solutions to our global base of corporate clients. We serve both publicly traded and privately held companies, executing mergers and acquisitions, growth financing, special situations and restructuring, and general advisory projects. This comprehensive suite of services allows us to be a long-term partner to our clients as they grow and evolve. In 2010, the investment banking group completed 65 merger-and-acquisition transactions worth more than $9 billion in value, involving parties in 22 countries, and was an underwriter on 20% of all U.S. initial public offerings.
About William Blair & Company, L.L.C.
William Blair & Company is a global investment banking and asset management firm. We are committed to building enduring relationships with our clients and providing expertise and solutions to meet their evolving needs. An independent and employee-owned firm, William Blair is based in Chicago, with 11 office locations including London, New York, Shanghai, and Zurich. For more information, please visit www.williamblair.com.
(1) Dealogic.