Shows
Merger Talks PodcastEpisode 011 - Robert Young - Founder of Avero AdvisoryIn episode 11 of the Merger Talks Podcast, we spoke to Robert Young, the founder of Avero Advisory. Robert launched the business at the end of 2025 after being a Managing Director in Alantra's Technology M&A team.In the episode we talk about:Current trends in the Technology sector and the impacts of AIWhat it has been like setting up a new M&A boutique and how he is looking to do things differentlyHow to test for grit in junior bankersWe hope you enjoy!
2026-02-2526 minMerger Talks PodcastEpisode 010 - Martim Villas-Boas - How you can use AI to enhance your deal making processIn Episode 10, we spoke with Martim Villas-Boas, founder of Pairwire, an AI powered due diligence platform for the Investment Banking market.We talk about AI; what is it and how it can be used to make the deal making process more efficientWhy 70% of M&A deals fail during due diligence and how can AI improve that number? We break down what AI products are available today The dangers of AI and how they can be avoidedWhether AI will replace Investment Banking AnalystsIf you are looking to implement AI or learn more about it, this is the ep...
2026-02-1017 minMerger Talks PodcastEpisode 009 - William D. Cohan - The history of Wall StreetEpisode 9 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live!We spoke with William D. Cohan, the award-winning financial journalist and bestselling author of The Last Tycoons.A former Investment Banker himself, he’s known for combining insider access with clear, engaging storytelling that makes complex financial worlds understandable; and fascinating.In the episode, we talk about:The history of Wall StreetHow deregulation reshaped Investment Banking in the 1980s and 1990sConsolidation on Wall StreetThe dangers of Private CreditIf you are fascinated by Wall Street and it's history, th...
2026-01-2741 minMerger Talks PodcastEpisode 008 - Vitoria OkuyamaEpisode 8 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live!We sat down with Vitoria Okuyama, who went from playing professional tennis, and being ranked 118th in the world, to working as an Investment Banking Analyst at Citi. After 3 months of consecutive 4am finishes, Vitoria experienced burnout which eventually led to her leaving Wall Street. In this episode we talk about burnout; how it manifests itself, how to recognise it, and also potential solutions to the problem.
2025-12-0520 minMerger Talks PodcastEpisode 007 - Tom Lindsay - CEO and co-founder of Spayne LindsayEpisode 7 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live!We sat down with Tom Lindsay, CEO of Spayne Lindsay. Tom co-founded the firm, a Consumer focused M&A boutique, in 2004 alongside his business partner, John Spayne. Prior to setting up the firm they had both been Consumer bankers at Lehman Brothers. We covered a variety of topics including: The differences between the Investment Banking business model in Europe and the US.How to set up an M&A boutique for succession.Why Private Equity is...
2025-11-0524 minMerger Talks PodcastEpisode 006 - James WestEpisode 6 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live!We sat down with James West, Managing Director at Bourne Partners and former Managing Director at Lincoln International. James has worked in Investment Banking for 15 years after completing a degree in Pharmacy. He specialises in advising clients in the Life Sciences and Pharma Services industry. We covered a variety of topics including: - The secret to a successful pitch. - What is it like working in New York compared to London. - What is happ...
2025-09-2825 minMerger Talks PodcastEpisode 005 - Yusuf SubzposhEpisode 5 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live!We sat down with Yusuf Subzposh, Vice President of Arcesium, a hedge fund backed FinTech. Prior to joining his latest role in Corporate Development, he worked at various Investment Banks including Jefferies, Pharus and Nomura.We covered a variety of topics including: - How does PE and Corporate Development compare to Investment Banking?- Will AI replace Investment Banking Analysts?- Does Dubai live up to the hype?...
2025-08-1439 minMerger Talks PodcastEpisode 004 - Michel Lowy𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 4 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live!We sat down with Michel Lowy, co-founder of SC Lowy, a $1.3bn Hong Kong based Private Credit fund.We covered a variety of topics including:Why M&A and IPO market slowdowns are fuelling private credit deals?How he set up his own credit fund and the challenges he faced.Investor mindset. What is it and what does good look like?The differences between a career in PE and Private Credit.We hope you enjoy the episode!
2025-07-2424 minMerger Talks PodcastEpisode 003 - John FarrugiaEpisode 3 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live!We sat down with John Farrugia, the co-CEO of Cavendish, the mid-market Investment Bank. We covered a variety of topics including:How to stem the flow of U.K. businesses leaving the countryWhat it takes to get to CEO and what a typical week looks likeSpending to accumulate when it comes to networkingWhy being made redundant isn't the end of the worldAnecdotes from his deal making journeyWe hope you enjoy the episode!
2025-07-1020 minMerger Talks PodcastEpisode 002 - Jan Skarbek𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟐 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live!We sat down with Jan Skarbek, former Head of UK M&A at Citi and now Partner at Europa Partners. We covered a variety of topics including the current state of the U.K. public markets, how to stand out in the competitive world of advisory, and how to build long-term relationships that result in closing billion dollar deals. We hope you enjoy the episode!
2025-06-2628 minMerger Talks PodcastEpisode 001 - Jean-Philippe VerdierIn episode number 1 of the Merger Talks Podcast, we sat down with Jean-Philippe Verdier, the founder of Verdier & Co. and former Head of French Investment Banking at Jefferies.We covered a variety of topics including the current state of the market, how AI is being used to transform Investment Banking day to day, and the big question, is there such a thing as work-life balance in Investment Banking...?We hope you enjoy the episode!
2025-06-1033 min