UK head-quartered advisory firm LAVA Advisory Partners has appointed veteran M&A executives Carlo Porreca and Helen Dixon as its first Partners based outside the UK. Their arrival marks the launch of LAVA’s permanent US presence, with the firm establishing an office in New York’s iconic Chrysler Building.
LAVA is a London-based middle-market M&A advisory firm with an existing track record working with US private equity. The US expansion enables the firm to act as a concierge for American private equity and investment firms seeking acquisitions and investments across the UK and Europe.
The US expansion follows LAVA’s recent $10.7 million (£8 million) growth funding agreement with Beechbrook Capital, and their presence in the market will be supported by Porreca and Dixon’s extensive relationships and experience within the private equity space.
Porreca brings nearly two decades of experience in deal origination, investment banking, private equity origination, and M&A. The founder of Wall Springs Capital, he will lead LAVA’s US sponsor coverage, with a particular focus on B2B, healthcare, and technology-enabled services.
Dixon has more than 20 years’ transaction advisory experience and has held senior roles at Grant Thornton and BDO. Originally from the UK and based in the US since 2017, she specializes in financial due diligence and will work across LAVA’s international transactions.
Simon Woodcock, Partner at LAVA Advisory Partners, said: “We already work regularly with US investors, and having Carlo and Helen in the market means those relationships can become a much more seamless part of our work. We really believe our unique approach will resonate with the US market Carlo and Helen know so well, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
Carlo Porreca, Partner at LAVA Advisory Partners, said: “I’ve spent much of my career connecting business owners with investors, often across different markets. LAVA’s deep understanding of the UK and European business landscape, combined with my US sponsor relationships and knowledge, gives us an unprecedented opportunity to put the most relevant opportunities in front of the right people, for the best possible results.”
Helen Dixon, Partner at LAVA Advisory Partners, said: “Having spent much of my career working across UK and US transactions, I’ve seen first-hand how differently buyers in each market can assess opportunities and approach a transaction. I’m excited to bring that perspective to LAVA’s cross-border work, helping our clients anticipate how they will be viewed by international investors and ensuring they are positioned to make the most of those opportunities.”
