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Paul Birkett, Finance Expert in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Paul Birkett

Finance Expert in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Member since November 23, 2020
Paul is a corporate finance professional with experience and expertise in restructurings, turnarounds, and distressed investment management. His key competencies include M&A, capital raising, and capital structuring, but he is also skilled in balance sheet restructuring, turnaround and distressed corporate finance advisory, and operational treasury and cash management. In addition to strong process and project management skills, Paul is highly analytical, detail-oriented, and deadline-driven.
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Career Highlights

Education

Select Certifications

Expertise

Employment

  • Private Equity - Deal Executive

    2016 - PRESENT
    ASOC Management Company (Pty) Ltd
    • Led multiple transaction executions, including deal sourcing, structuring, risk management, financial modeling, preparation of investment committee documentation, due diligence, review of legal documents, and payment of consideration.
    • Played an active role in fundraising and partner engagement, focusing on fund reporting, documentation, and correspondence, and in day-to-day portfolio management, including participation in executive committees and formulation of strategy.
    • Developed strategies and processes to refinance and exit portfolio companies. This included identifying potential finance providers and equity investors and establishing and executing a process to realize value.
    Focus areas: Debt Restructuring, Large-scale Turnaround & Transformation, Fundraising, Private Equity Valuation, Private Equity, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

  • Co-founder & Director

    2014 - 2016
    Birkett Brothers (Pty) Ltd
    • Co-founded a boutique corporate finance advisory, focusing on distressed M&A, capital raising, and balance sheet restructuring. Developed close relationships with C-suite executives as a trusted advisor.
    • Executed the distressed M&A process for the largest bankruptcy in Southern Africa, a network of retail furniture stores across five jurisdictions. Responsible for all aspects of the process, including negotiation and ultimate execution.
    • Executed the sale process for a long-term and short-term insurance company that was in runoff. Identified the potential buyers, facilitated introductions, and project managed the due diligence and legal process to execute the transaction.
    Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Turnaround Consultant, Distressed/Special Situations, Capital Raising

  • Banker

    2010 - 2014
    Investec Bank Ltd
    • Mandated by multinational corporate clients to provide advisory services relating to M&A, equity and debt capital raisings and restructurings, corporate disposals, valuations, and listings on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
    • Served as a corporate finance consultant for the largest REIT in South Africa with properties located in Southern Africa, the UK, and Australia. Valued, negotiated, and executed the largest property acquisition in the REIT's history.
    • Sourced and executed capital raising for a large life insurance client that was undergoing a demutualization. Modeled the capital structure and facilitated the introduction of private equity, developmental financiers, and debt funding.
    Focus areas: Bank Debt Raises, Fundraising, Capital Structuring, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

  • Senior Associate

    2007 - 2009
    PwC
    • Performed audit and assurance services for the most prestigious clients across the investment management industry, ranging from large mutual and pension funds through to alternative investment funds (i.e., hedge funds and private equity).
    • Delivered detailed audit solutions to clients in New York City and Boston, particularly where technical and complex analysis of accounting principles was required. All work was required to be delivered on time and within budget.
    • Executed on a particularly challenging audit wherein the accounting was convoluted and the timeframe to deliver the audit opinion was accelerated. Delivered on the working procedures despite an under-resourced team.
    Focus areas: Investments & Risk Management, Private Equity, Hedge Funds, Audits

Education

  • Master's Degree in Finance
    2016 - 2018
    INSEAD - Fontainebleau, France
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning
    2014 - 2014
    University of the Free State - Bloemfontein, South Africa
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting
    2005 - 2006
    Southeastern Louisiana University - Hammond, LA, USA
  • Bachelor's Degree in Accounting
    2001 - 2005
    Southeastern Louisiana University - Hammond, LA, USA

Certifications

  • Financial Risk Manager (FRM)
    DECEMBER 2020 - PRESENT
    Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP)
  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
    JANUARY 2015 - PRESENT
    CFA institute
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
    MARCH 2009 - PRESENT
    State of New York - Education Department

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