On my CV: Sylvester Oppong
Selling a cutting-edge IVF business meant making sure the new partner had the same mindset, says EY’s Sylvester Oppong
Corporate finance careers
Leading figures and up-and-coming professionals who have developed their careers share their experiences.
Featured items
Career journeys
Breaking glass ceilings
Marc Mullen speaks to six women in mid-market private equity about the changes so far in this once male-dominated world – and what’s still to come for diversity and inclusion, and supporting talent
Career paths: Katie Leitch
Katie Leitch trained in Edinburgh then moved to Glasgow, where she’s building her private equity experience as an investment manager with Panoramic Growth Equity
On my CV: Danny Lee
Investors in biotech businesses must believe in management. Credibility is key, says Danny Lee, Burges Salmon corporate partner
Career paths: Sarah Leiper-Jennings
Sarah Leiper-Jennings, senior associate at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, has taken the opportunity for industry and overseas secondments to build her experience as an M&A lawyer
Career paths: Klara Klarowicz
Drive and determination has seen Klara Klarowicz make it to investment manager at LDC. Now she has big plans for the future, she tells Jo Russell.
Profile: Lucy Stapleton, PwC
As head of the UK deals practice at PwC, Lucy Stapleton oversees more than 200 partners and 2,000 staff. Diversity of thought is key to better advice, she tells Marc Mullen.
Career paths: Lucy Merson
Training as an ACA continues to help after the move from corporate finance to private equity, recounts Connection Capital investment manager Lucy Merson.
Career paths: Louise Leung of EY
Originating the first deal you work on gets your corporate finance career off to a flying start. EY’s Louise Leung is a very good example of how structured progression can be swift.
Articles
Profile: Charindra Pathiwille, Deloitte
From ACA training two decades ago to taking over as managing partner of UK financial advisory last year, Deloitte’s Charindra Pathiwille can be considered a company ‘lifer’. He talks to Marc Mullen about the challenges facing M&A and aligning the firm with client needs in 2024
On my CV: Michael Pay, EMC Corporate Finance
Understanding how centuries-old trust status impacts lending in the modern world was key to refinancing Shoreham Port, says Michael Pay of advisory firm EMC Corporate Finance.
Career paths: Kathryn Mansell, Old Mill
Helping to build Old Mill’s corporate finance offering in the South West of England has been a milestone in Kathryn Mansell’s career development.
Profile: Deepti Patankar
Relishing challenges, grasping opportunities and learning from experiences are what makes an M&A adviser. Marc Mullen speaks to Deepti Patankar about a career that has already taken in more than most.
On my CV: Victoria Kisseleva, FRP Corporate Finance
Finding the balance between too much and too little due diligence is key when advising private equity on a sector that’s new to them, says FRP Corporate Finance M&A partner Victoria Kisseleva.
Career paths: Ellie Shanahan, Burges Salmon
A career in corporate law fulfils a desire to be constantly learning and growing, says Ellie Shanahan, corporate associate at independent UK law firm Burges Salmon.
On my CV: Ed Westhead, Fieldfisher
Effective collaboration with all advisers is critical to the ultimate success of complex deals, says Ed Westhead, equity capital markets partner at Fieldfisher.
Career paths: Shivani Kotecha, BDO
Working on complex transactions is something that Shivani Kotecha relishes at BDO. She tells Jo Russell about her corporate finance journey so far and what might be in store for the future.
Resources
What is corporate finance?
The terms "corporate finance" and "corporate financier" tend to be associated with transactions in which capital is raised in order to create, develop, grow or acquire businesses.
Corporate Finance Qualification
The Corporate Finance (CF) qualification is recognised around the world and establishes a high level of expertise across international markets. It is designed with a focus on the commercial, practical and technical skills demanded by major corporate and financial clients and investors.
Faculty member organisations
The Corporate Finance Faculty’s professional network includes close to 10,000 members and more than 80 member organisations. More than 40 per cent of the faculty’s membership is from beyond ICAEW.
AI in Corporate Advisory
The Corporate Finance Faculty and Drooms have published the world’s first research about the role of artificial intelligence in deals.