Simon Davies named AICA chairman

Wednesday May 17, 2023

FRP Corporate Finance Partner Simon Davies has been elected as the Chairman of the Alliance of International Corporate Advisors (AICA) for a two year term in 2023 and 2024. Simon was voted in at AICA’s recent Annual Global Meeting, in Dublin.

AICA is a global network of mid-market M&A advisory firms that strives to connect investors to international investment banking expertise and resources. It comprises more than 38 member firms across 40 countries and connects over 300 experienced professionals globally.

Simon will head up the group’s organisational activity. This will be his second stint on AICA’s board, having served as President from 2011 to 2013.

FRP Corporate Finance also secured two major accolades at the end of meeting awards, following a strong year for cross-border activity. The firm was named AICA’s Most Invaluable Partner for 2022, while Simon was  recognised as 2022’s Most Valuable Player.

Simon Davies, Partner at FRP Corporate Finance, said:

“I put myself forward for this position in recognition of AICA’s importance to FRP Corporate Finance. As Chairman, I’ll be focussing on driving greater collaboration across the network on cross-border deals and attracting new member firms to our first class community in East Asia and the Middle East.

“These awards are a pleasing reflection of our commitment to AICA, following a year that saw FRP Corporate Finance go from strength to strength. However, AICA’s value does not lie in the activities of individual firms or people, but instead in the collaboration of firms around the globe.”

Utilising the international connections developed through AICA, FRP Corporate Finance experienced a boom in cross-border activity in 2022 when 50 per cent of strategic disposals going to overseas buyers, went up from 20 per cent in 2021.

Notable deals led by our team included supporting Lifecycle Marketing on its sale to New York-based Everyday Health Group and advising on the £117 million merger between Solent Group and Sweden’s Humble Group. Late last year, FRP Corporate Finance also supported Hybrid Theory in its preparation for acquisition by the Netherlands-headquartered digital entertainment and media platform, Azerion.