Wim Goossens appointed Head of Corporate Finance of Alantra Belgium

Alantra, the independent global mid-market financial advisor and asset management firm, enters the Belgian market widening its geographical footprint to 20 countries, including the main financial centers across Europe, the US, Latin America and Asia

Alantra Belgium will work closely with Alantra’s Amsterdam office to reinforce the services for mid-market clients in M&A transactions in the Benelux. The new office will further nurture the group’s cross border ambitions and bring in its sector expertise in a region with recent interesting opportunities in the capital goods and business services industries

Wim Goossens brings with him more than 25 years of experience and a multitude of transactions for international Belgian corporates such as Ackermans & van Haaren, Aliaxis, Umicore, UCB, Spadel as well as for a diversified range of private equity houses like BC Partners, 3i, Carlyle and PAI Partners

Brussels – Alantra is pleased to announce the appointment of Wim Goossens as Head of Corporate Finance for Belgium. He will work with Mark Pensaert, Chairman of Alantra International Corporate Advisory, to reinforce its independent financial advisory services for mid-market clients in the Benelux, already successfully active through the opening of the Amsterdam branch of Alantra in September 2015.

Alantra completes yet another step towards becoming a benchmark independent advisor in the mid-market segment, combining solid local footprints and know-how with a global reach. With the opening of the office in Belgium, the Firm expands its presence to 20 countries, including the main financial centers across Europe, the US, Latin America and Asia.

Wim Goossens brings with him more than 25 years of financial advisory experience across a variety of sectors, first, with Generale Bank, then with ABN AMRO / RBS and lastly with BNP Paribas. Noteworthy transactions he has recently advised on include the de-listings of CNP, Omega Pharma, Henex and Compagnie Maritime Belge. He has also advised in different buy and sell side mandates for international Belgian corporates such as Ackermans & van Haaren, Aliaxis, Umicore, UCB, Spadel as well as for a diversified range of private equity houses like BC Partners, 3i, Carlyle and PAI Partners.

Announcing the appointment, Mr. Mark Pensaert said:

“Wim is an exceptionally talented and experienced professional, qualities he will bring to the newly established Brussels office of the Group, as we continue to pursue our strategy of becoming a leading financial advisory firm in the mid-market segment, with a global reach and solid local roots.”

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Goossens said:

“This is a tremendous time to join Alantra, and it is a privilege to start up and lead Alantra’s M&A advisory activities in Belgium. I firmly believe Alantra offers its clients some new independent views and angles in the market. With on-the-ground presence in the main financial centers worldwide and already having a strong local team in Amsterdam , Alantra is well-positioned to provide its outstanding service also to the Belgian mid-market customers and clients, and contribute to the future growth of Alantra.”

About ALANTRA

Alantra is a global financial advisory and asset management firm focusing on the mid-market with offices across Europe, the US, Asia and Latin America.

Its Financial Advisory division employs over 280 professionals, providing independent advice on M&A, debt advisory, financial restructuring, credit portfolio and capital markets transactions in 14 highly-specialized industry sectors. Since 2013 Alantra has completed 461 transactions.

Among the major M&A transactions that have been advised by Alantra year to date are the following: the recently announced sale of Q-Park to KKR Infrastructure for c. €3bn, Johnson & Johnson’s public takeover for Actelion (Fairness opinion providers) for €30bn, Pachá’s sale to Trilantic Europe for c. €300mn, Mediahuis and VP Exploitatie’s public takeover for Telegraaf Media Group for €278mn, and Bulldog’s sale to Campari.

The Asset Management division comprises a team of 75 professionals with €3.5bn in five highly specialized alternative asset classes (Private Equity, Active Funds, Debt and Real Estate) characterized by a hands-on approach and an exclusive focus on the mid-market. In this business, the company serves more than 80 institutional clients. Its wealth management team advises over 450 high net worth individuals providing an integral service based on independence, specialization, capital preservation and search of positive return.