BrazilBelgian M&A firm Forsite teams up with CFI Netherlands
Forsite, a Brussels-based merger & acquisition (M&A) consultancy, has joined forces with CFI Netherlands, the Dutch representative firm of global corporate finance network Corporate Finance International.
Combined, the two M&A consultancies have advised on more than 50 deals in Belgium and the Netherlands in the past 18 months, with a roughly even split between the two Benelux countries. By bundling their offerings, the two firms aim to offer a deeper and more integrated service, while tapping into each others client and target networks.
In the Netherlands, CFI Netherlands (formerly known as MBCF) has in the 20 years since inception grown into one of the more established players in the merger & acquisition landscape, in particular in its key verticals of focus: business services, software & IT services and manufacturing. The Amsterdam-based firm supports clients with M&A advisory, valuations, capital raising and restructuring services.
While CFI Netherlands has been active in the Belgian market for several years with fly-in teams, the advisory firm has now decided to leverage the region’s dealmaking momentum to establish an on the ground operation in the country. “It has for a while been our strong ambition to establish a base in Belgium,” explained Roel ter Steeg, a partner at CFI Netherlands.
In its search for a partner, CFI Netherlands sought to find a “seasoned Belgian team with compatible sector and client focus,” said Ter Steeg, adding that – as could be expected from an M&A firm – it took its due diligence on potential targets very seriously. “We have been particularly careful in exploring partners, and we were convinced of a perfect match with Forsite.”
Forsite launched in September 2013, after two alumni of Deloitte – Mario Van Gasse and Wim Folens – teamed up to cater the dealmaking needs of mid-sized businesses. Roughly one year later they were joined in their endeavours by Dries Bossuyt, an experienced corporate finance professional who previously served Arthur Andersen for twelve years.
The three partners support clients with financial advisory related to acquisitions, mergers and divestments, and these M&A activities have been injected into the collaboration with CFI Netherlands. For other consultancy services, such as CFO offerings, valuations and turnaround support, the trio will continue to operate under the Forsite brand.
"We look forward to engaging in international deal opportunities under the reputed CFI label and working closely with the Dutch team, a cooperation which has already proven to be successful in the last months,” commented Folens.
Globally, Corporate Finance International has a network of 250+ M&A professionals in some 20 countries.
