Global M&A and debt advisory firm Livingstone Partners has bolstered its presence in the Dutch market with the acquisition of local boutique Florin Finance.
US-headquartered Livingstone Partners is an M&A and debt advisory firm dedicated to the middle-market. The firm has over 120 staff working from 11 offices worldwide, including two in the US, seven in Europe, and two in Asia.
With the acquisition of Florin Finance, Livingstone Partners doubles its team in Amsterdam to around 20 staff. The local Dutch office was launched in three years ago.
“This move reinforces our position as the premier independent M&A firm for middle-market transactions in the Netherlands,” said Ralph Hagelgans, Managing Partner at Livingstone. “The arrival of the Florin Finance team also positions Livingstone Partners for further growth in the Benelux in the coming years, creating ample opportunities for both clients and professionals.”
Florin Finance was founded in 2013. The boutique has over the years closed dozens of transactions across sectors such as agriculture, professional services, industry, technology, telecom, and retail, among others. The firm has bagged several awards for its work, including being named a leading M&A consultancy in the Dutch market in 2023.
“Florin Finance is renowned for its high-quality, hands-on M&A services. Our shared culture of excellence in dealmaking will enable us to make a significant impact in the Benelux market,” said Niels Claeren, Partner at Livingstone Partners.
The deal will see nine staff transfer, with partners Remco Goes and Niels Roks now becoming partners at Livingstone Partners, lifting its partnership to six. Istvan Csejtei and Joris van de Kerkhof both joined from PwC last year, following in the footsteps of Niels Claeren and Mark Pel who previously made the same switch.
The Amsterdam team of Livingstone Partners works for entrepreneurs, private equity firms, and corporates, with a focus on six segments: business services, consumer goods, healthcare, industrial, and media, and technology.
