About Simic Advisory
“The best part has been finding solutions to complex situations and achieving results against the odds.”
Meet Chris, founder of Simic Advisory
“My extensive investment banking experience (35+ years) has resulted in broadly based and proven commercial skills across a range of sectors & economic cycles. These skills include providing advice on capital raising/ M&A/corporate strategy at C-suite/board level, team leadership, investor relations and business development/marketing. During the course of my career, I have worked in a range of investment banking firms which range from larger and complex banking organisations (Barclays Bank, BZW and Credit Suisse) to smaller, more entrepreneurial businesses (Investec Bank and Evolution Securities).
I am also a Chartered Accountant (CAANZ) which has provided me with a strong grounding in the importance of financial statements, data and audit.”
What drives me
Working with People
Working with clients and colleagues to achieve successful outcomes often in challenging circumstances has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. As an independent advisor working with clients to help them to achieve their objectives remains at the heart of the service offering mindset.
Delivering successful outcomes for clients
Playing a leading and active role as senior level investment banker at pivotal moments in a company’s journey have been significant career highlights. In terms of transactions, these have been a broad spectrum of financings and M&A transactions which extend from being truly transformative and ambitious to those which have helped secure the future of the business. This has resulted in a proven ability to adapt to changing markets and challenging circumstances to deliver client solutions.
These transactions have resulted in a proven ability to adapt to changing times and challenging circumstances. Also, it has provided a deep pool of experience in developing equity propositions for financing and sales processes. Aside from the transactions, the client journey has in many cases been a long one as a retained trusted advisor, which has provided clients with continuity and also been founded on building a trusted relationship.
In terms of specific transactions, there are some brief case studies below which highlight these points.
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Advising longstanding client (Sponsor, joint bookrunner and underwriter), Cineworld plc (listed on the LSE) on their equity financing (rights issue) of £1.8bn to partly finance the acquisition of the Regal Entertainment in the US was one such transaction. The transaction transformed the business from an important regional player to becoming the 2nd largest operator globally. As a reverse takeover under UK Listing Rules, the ambitious and transformative nature of the transaction is readily apparent.
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The IPO of Kentz Corporation on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange with a market capitalisation of £160m against the backdrop of the growing rapidly unfolding credit crises was a significant achievement. The raising of £60m for existing shareholders (including management and employees) required a hugely collaborative effort from management, colleagues and UK institutional shareholders. Within months of the IPO, Lehman Brothers collapsed and the window for an IPO was shut for a prolonged period.
From IPO, the journey as a public company was incredibly active one which included a move to the Main Market (Sponsor), successful defence from unsolicited takeover approaches, multiple block trades (including accelerated book builds), US acquisition (sole financial advisor) for $440m and finally, a recommended offer for £1.2bn (sole financial and Rule 3 Adviser) from SNC Lavalin. From IPO to takeover, the share price increase represented a 7.2x return.
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Raising new finance for Kentech Ltd, (a private company operating in the global energy sector) UK based private equity firm, Bluewater Energy was critical to securing its future. Prior to the refinancing, the company had significant financial and liquidity challenges. Against a challenging macro and commodity backdrop, leading the financing was a significant achievement. As sole financial advisors, this is also required significant creativity and flexibility in developing a successful fund raising process.
Post investment, Kentech went on to make a significant acquisition of a major competitor’s business (revenues increased from £200m to $1.4bn). Kentech’s subsequent sale delivered a highly attractive return for Bluewater and the other shareholders (including the founding Kent family).
Case Study
Capital Markets Day (CMD)
Supporting a FTSE 250-equivalent company through a transformational acquisition and investor relaunch.
+15%
Share price increase immediately after CMD
+60%
Current share price increase
300+
Attendees online and in person
Deliver a high-profile Capital Markets Day at the London Stock Exchange following a major acquisition and prepare management for investor engagement.
The Challenge
✓ Equity story development
✓ Presentation review
✓ Management rehearsal & Q&A
✓ CMD execution support
Our Support
✓ +15% share price increase immediately following the CMD
✓ +60% share price increase since the event
✓ 300+ investors attended in person and online
✓ Event hosted at the London Stock Exchange
Impact
Additional transactions
£315m Rights Issue
Lead underwriter
Sponsor
Joint Financial Advisor
£450m Placings
Bookrunner
Sole corporate broker
NOMAD
Set out below of a selection of additional transactions which further highlight the breadth of sector and geographic experience.
These transactions also include a spread of transactions by size, investment proposition and type of deal. In terms of the latter, this has required an ability to be flexible in the role performed whether it be acting as corporate broker, ECM or M&A banker.
£800m Recommended Offer
Sole Rule 3 Advisor
Joint corporate broker
$150m* Recommended Offer
Sole Rule 3 and Financial Advisor
Corporate broker
*transaction value
