FRP bolsters Debt Advisory team with Director appointment

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Jo Power as a Director in our Debt Advisory team.

Jo holds more than 15 years’ experience in Corporate Finance and Debt Advisory across a wide range of sectors, including healthcare and manufacturing.

She joins the business from a private US debt fund where she worked as a Director, responsible for underwriting new UK and cross-border mid-market SME loans.

A qualified Chartered Accountant, she gained experience in large firms including a high-profile bank leading the execution of mid-market leveraged finance deals in support of private equity buyouts, and latterly served as a member of the credit committee for new business transactions, with responsibility for making final lending decisions on behalf of the bank.

At FRP, Jo will help clients effectively raise debt capital in support of M&A transactions, including leveraged buyouts, recapitalisations and refinancing.

Our combined Corporate Finance and Debt Advisory team, operating with a 20-strong Partner team under our newly launched sub brand, FRP Corporate Finance, has trebled in size over the last 12 months following a number of senior appointments and strategic acquisitions – including the purchase of JDC and Spectrum Corporate Finance.

Over the past 12 months, our combined teams have seen a record period of activity, advising on 81 transactions with a combined enterprise value of £1.9 billion.

Jo Power, Debt Advisory Director, said: “The team has an excellent reputation in the debt advisory space with highly knowledgeable, experienced and down to earth people – providing the pragmatic advice that clients need.

“We’re currently seeing strong demand for high-quality businesses in the M&A market as we emerge from successive lockdowns, driven by high-levels of capital and liquidity built-up over the pandemic.

“My previous roles working with investors and lenders have given me a unique, first-hand understanding of what parties at each stage of the process are aiming to achieve. I’m looking forward to using this experience to help our clients identify and secure funding solutions that deliver the very best possible outcome and help them realise their growth objectives.”

Chief Operating Officer, Jeremy French, said: “Jo is a highly experienced adviser with a track record of delivering for businesses across sectors and borders. She’s a real asset to our team.

“As the economy recovers from the impact of the pandemic, we’ve seen growing appetite for debt advisory support, particularly in M&A, recapitalisations and refinancing. With businesses continuing to explore further opportunities on the horizon, we’ll be on hand to provide them with the support they need to capitalise on their strategic ambitions.”