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Panellists:

Timothy MAHAPATRA, Partner and Head of Deals, Cooper Parry (UK Private Equity backed accounting firm), formerly a Senior Partner with both Alvarez & Marsal and Deloitte UK

Jesús Federico VALERO GIL, Senior partner, Deloitte

Moderator:  Jesús Federico VALERO GIL, Senior partner, Deloitte

Objectives: Over recent years, there has been a growing interest from Private Equity (“PE”) to invest in professional services firms. In the UK and the US, there has been a flurry of activity in the accounting sector, with recent transactions involving investments in several major firms, as well as similar transactions in the US, and predictions that a significant proportion of mid-tier firms may be PE owned in the next two years.

Having invested in the accounting sector as well as other adjacent sectors such as insurance brokerage and wealth management, PE is now turning its attention to new opportunities. The legal services space is beginning to emerge as the next frontier for PE, with several transactions already closed involving legal firms in the UK.In Spain, we are starting to see similar trends emerging, with private equity funds recently investing in Spanish professional services firms, including law firms and consultancies.The session will cover:– Trends in professional service including specifically the legal sector.– Why is PE interested in professional services and why are they now investing in law firms.– What are the key priorities and issues facing the leaders of legal services firms and what options are available to emerge as a winner in this changing marketplace.– What lessons have been learned from other markets and are similar trends and themes likely to emerge in the Spanish market.