Griffiths joins the bank from ABN AMROÆs Hong Kong office, where he was most recently executive director for the equity capital markets and M&A team. Nacson was a partner with US accounting services firm Arthur Andersen. Both Griffiths and Nacson will be based in Hong Kong and report to David Putnam, Houlihan LokeyÆs head of Asia operations.
As cross border M&A is growing dramatically in the region, the investment bank notes that Asian markets are now secure enough to handle a wave of financial restructurings, particularly in the state-owned enterprise sector. Having experience of these types of services in Europe and the US, the bank is bringing its business to the region to take a share of the pie.
ôWhile the firm is new to Asia, we are already experiencing a full pipeline of deals and the demand for our services has been extraordinary,ö Putnam says in a written statement. ôOur goal is to strategically recruit dealmakers who are knowledgeable of the region, experienced in executing complex deals and dedicated to providing the level of service our clients have come to expect from Houlihan Lokey. Richard and Michael are proven performers in M&A and restructuring, and I am confident in their ability to drive our future growth.ö
Griffiths has advised on a number of award-winning M&A transactions. While with ABN AMRO, he originated and executed M&A deals with a focus on the industrials sector. Before that he was with PricewaterhouseCoopers in London.
Nacson has more than 20 years of financial and business management experience with a strong focus on Asia Pacific. He specialises in turnaround management services and financial restructuring and has worked on the restructuring and enhancement of stakeholder value in various large technology, telecommunications, manufacturing and transport companies as an advisor to banks, private equity and distressed debt funds.
His previous experience also includes projects with both PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ernst & Young.
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