Simon Raggett Chief Executive
Email: SimonRaggett@strandhanson.co.uk
Simon joined Strand Hanson from Greig Middleton & Co in 1999. He became Chief Executive in 2006 and led the management buy-out of the business in 2009.
Simon has been responsible for the Company’s international expansion through the development of global strategic relationships. He acts as lead adviser to a broad range of domestic and international clients, sovereign wealth funds and global private equity investment organisations.
The Lord St John of Bletso Chairman
Email: anthonystjohn@strandhanson.co.uk
Anthony joined Strand Hanson in April 2014 and was appointed as its Chairman in January 2015. In addition, Anthony chairs its African business.
Anthony qualified as a lawyer in South Africa and obtained a Masters in Law from the University of London before going on to work as an oil analyst at County Natwest and thereafter as a senior consultant to Merrill Lynch.
Anthony was Chairman of Spiritel PLC between 2004-2012 and has also been a non-executive director of Regal Petroleum plc, Sharp Interpak Limited and Pecaso Group Inc. He has also served on the advisory boards of Infinity SDC, Chayton Capital and Ariya Capital with a focus on Agriculture and African business opportunities. He is currently a non-executive director of Albion Ventures LLP and Chairman of the Governing Board of Certification International.
Rory Murphy Director - Head of Oil & Gas
Email: Rorymurphy@strandhanson.co.uk
Rory qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG prior to joining Greig Middleton & Co's corporate finance division.
He joined Strand Hanson in November 2001, having worked latterly for Charterhouse Securities Limited and then ING Barings. He is experienced across a broad spectrum of sectors and has advised on flotations, secondary fundraisings and merger and acquisition transactions.
James Harris Director - Co-Head of Equity Capital Markets
Email: Jamesharris@strandhanson.co.uk
James graduated in accounting and joined Robert Fleming Securities in 1993. Shortly thereafter he moved with his team to form the equity corporate finance division of SG Securities and then to Arbuthnot Securities (formerly Old Mutual Securities) in 2001.
He has advised companies across a wide variety of sectors and transactions, including flotations and secondary fund raisings, restructurings and M&A. James joined Strand Hanson in May 2004.
Stuart Faulkner Director - Head of M&A
Email: stuartfaulkner@strandhanson.co.uk
Stuart read Modern History at St Anne’s College, Oxford University. After university, Stuart joined the investment banking division of Barclays de Zoete Wedd, which was acquired by Credit Suisse First Boston in 1997, before moving to Merrill Lynch in 1998, where he worked in the International M&A and U.K. coverage teams until 2005.
Stuart has advised a wide variety of UK and international companies, including a number of FTSE 100 companies and tier one financial sponsors, on LBOs/MBOs, disposals and mergers & acquisitions and has extensive experience of cross border and UK Takeover Code transactions. Stuart joined Strand Hanson in February 2006 and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.
Simon Wharmby Non-Executive Director
Email: SimonWharmby@strandhanson.co.uk
Simon has been an institutional and corporate stockbroker for some 35 years with Sheppards, Charles Stanley and Corporate Synergy. Graduated 1969 University of East Anglia with a degree in economics and sociology.
He co-authored a North Sea Oil & Energy review for some 20 years prior to concentration on a broader range of new AIM issues. He is a member of the Securities Institute, a former LSE member, as well as being a director of Albany Capital, and Letchworth plc.
Angela Hallett Managing Director
Email: angelahallett@strandhanson.co.uk
Angela has over 14 years’ investment banking experience, having joined the corporate finance team at Strand Hanson in 2000 from Arthur Andersen in Australia where she qualified as a chartered accountant.
Angela has extensive experience of all aspects of public company work, including IPO’s, fundraisings, Takeover Code work, the Listing Rules and the AIM Rules. She advises a number of UK and international companies, primarily focussed on the Natural Resources and Services sectors.
Warren Pearce Managing Director, Strand Hanson South Africa
Email: WarrenPearce@strandhanson.co.uk
Warren completed an honours degree in Business Science at the University of Cape Town before joining Strand Hanson in February 2000.
Warren provided M&A, Takeover Code and equity financing advice to listed and private companies in the UK before establishing the regional office in South Africa in 2008. Since 2008, Warren’s role has been focused on developing Strand Hanson’s African presence, including the cultivation of an extensive network of client companies, investors, advisers, governmental and quasi-governmental agencies and industry bodies.
Matthew Chandler Director of Corporate Finance
Email: MatthewChandler@strandhanson.co.uk
Matthew graduated from Bath University with B.Sc. (Honours) in Business Administration and subsequently qualified as a chartered accountant with Ernst & Young.
He then joined Capita Corporate Finance Limited advising a diverse range of unquoted clients on acquisitions, disposals and venture capital backed transactions. Matthew has been a member of the executive team at Strand Hanson since March 2001 and advises on all types of M&A and ECM corporate transactions.
James Spinney Co-Head of Equity Capital Markets
Email: JamesSpinney@strandhanson.co.uk
James read Politics and Philosophy at Durham University before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he worked for 4 years before joining the Corporate Finance practice of Ernst & Young.
Here James gained extensive experience of cross border transactions, working in New York, Moscow and Johannesburg, as well as being involved in a number of high profile transactions within Europe. James advises on both M&A and equity capital market transactions.
Richard Tulloch Director of Corporate Finance
Email: RichardTulloch@strandhanson.co.uk
Richard graduated from Bristol University with a first class honours degree in civil engineering in 2000 following which he joined ING Barings in corporate finance, before joining Arbuthnot Securities in 2004.
Richard has advised on a large number of transactions from primary and secondary fundraising to general M&A advice including disposals, acquisitions and UK public offers across a wide variety of sectors. Richard joined Strand Hanson in September 2009.
Iek van Cruyningen Director - Strand Ventures
Email: IekvanCruyningen@strandhanson.co.uk
Iek has over 17 years’ experience in the investment banking industry, working in London, New York and Los Angeles. Iek has a broad range of sector and transaction experience and was formerly at SilverWind Securities.
Prior to that, Iek worked for Libertas Capital for over 6 years where he joined to help establish the securities operations in London before becoming Head of Libertas Americas. Prior to that Iek worked in various equity capital market roles at HSBC, Enskilda Securities, Merrill Lynch and Smith New Court.
Ritchie Balmer Associate Director, Corporate Finance
Email: RitchieBalmer@strandhanson.co.uk
Ritchie read Economics & Management at Keble College, Oxford University.
Following university, Ritchie joined the Natural Resources investment banking team of RBC Capital Markets in London, before moving to Gleacher Shacklock, the M&A advisory house, in 2010. He joined Strand Hanson in 2012, focusing on advising on equity capital markets and M&A transactions predominantly within the Natural Resources and Technology sectors. Ritchie is a CFA charterholder and a member of the CFA Society United Kingdom.
James Dance Associate Director, Corporate Finance
Email: JamesDance@strandhanson.co.uk
James graduated from Bristol University, in June 2006, with a BSc Honours in Biochemistry.
After graduation, James joined Smith & Williamson where he qualified as a chartered accountant in 2009. He then moved into Transaction Services, gaining experience in financial modelling and valuation, followed by two years in the Corporate Finance department. James holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the UK CFA Society. James joined Strand Hanson, as a Manager within the corporate finance team, in December 2012.
James Bellman Manager, Corporate Finance
Email: JamesBellman@strandhanson.co.uk
James graduated from Bristol University in July 2010 with a B.Sc in Economics & Finance.
During his time at university and immediately thereafter he undertook a variety of work placements, including at financial sponsor Apax Partners; CBGA, a commercial property agency and most recently with KnightCF, a corporate finance company specialising in the Technology and Telecoms sector. He joined Strand Hanson in July 2011 as an analyst within the corporate finance team.
Jack Botros Associate, Corporate Finance
Email: JackBotros@strandhanson.co.uk
Jack graduated from Bristol University with First Class Honours in Theology in 2011.
He then went on to earn an MA in Theology from Oriel College, Oxford University, graduating with Distinction in 2012. Prior to joining Strand Hanson in 2014, Jack worked in the finance department at Candy & Candy before going on to perform a similar role at an AIM quoted technology company. Jack has completed the CFA programme, passing each level at the first attempt.
Frederick Twist Analyst
Email: fredericktwist@strandhanson.co.uk
Prior to joining Strand Hanson in 2015 Frederick gained experience in the Investment Banking division at Morgan Stanley before moving to RBS where he worked in the Interest Rates division.
Following this he spent two years working at Capula Investment Management, a leading fixed income hedge fund where he gained experience in valuation and cash flow modelling. Frederick works in the corporate finance division, advising on all M&A and ECM transactions.
Miles Lewis Senior Consultant, Latin America
Email: mileslewis@strandhanson.co.uk
Miles started his career as a derivatives trader, becoming Head of Equity Derivative Sales for Credit Lyonnais Securities in 1994. Thereafter, he moved into venture capital, spending 10 years with Compass Investment Management as Managing Director of their technology investment and advisory business, Compass Venture Management. He then joined Strand Hanson as a Director and focussed on technology and renewable energy until 2006 when he decided to focus on his personal investments in waste to energy technology. Miles has been an early stage investor, adviser and founder of a range of companies across a broad spectrum of industries. In 2009 he moved to Buenos Aires, where despite the challenging business climate of the time, he acted as a consultant to agribusiness, insurance and property/hotel investors and, having decided to relocate permanently, set about broadening his network of contacts in anticipation of political change.
In 2016, Miles rejoined Strand Hanson to initiate their expansion into Latin America where he combines Strand's expertise in emerging markets with his understanding of local risk and his business network and access.
Richard Evans Chief Operating Officer and Compliance Director
Email: richardevans@strandhanson.co.uk
Richard joined Strand Hanson in 2012, as Chief Operating Officer and Compliance Director, following over 25 years experience working in both public and private advisory businesses, focusing on the small and mid cap space. A graduate of Manchester University, after qualifying as a chartered accountant he worked at BDO Stoy Hayward in the Corporate Finance and Investigations Department.
Following a two-year secondment to the Listing Department of LSE, he joined Brewin Dolphin in 1997, becoming a director, advising on M&A and ECM, acting as both Nomad and Sponsor. In 2012, he joined the FSA, where he was a team leader supervising global investment banks. He is Chairman of the QCA Corporate Finance Expert Group.
Juan Carlos Reynal Consultant, Latin America
Email: JuanReynal@strandhanson.co.uk
Juan Reynal is an independent financial adviser and originator for investment banks in the southern Latin American region. He has worked over the years with top institutions such as Consultatio and Banco Macro in Argentina. He has recently been a local associate for the M&A advisory house, STS Capital Partners and, since 2010, has been director of the local firm South Capital Group, dedicated to providing advisory services to companies, both private and public in Argentina. He has cultivated a broad network of contacts in the agribusiness, oil & gas and mining sectors but has experience in advising in a large range of sectors.
Alain Fanaie Senior Adviser, Natural Resources and Infrastructure
Email: alainfanaie@strandhanson.co.uk
Alain has 30 years of experience in banking and commodities which includes 14 years in Paris, 10 in London and 6 in Singapore. Throughout his career, Alain has been involved in the commodity sector, in particular, Oil & Gas.
He was Global Head of Structured Commodity Finance at Credit Agricole CIB for 10 years and in his last banking position in 2011 he was a member of the Management Committee of Credit Agricole CIB, covering global natural resources and infrastructure sectors. He was also CEO of China Sonangol International for 3 years and CEO of Newway Advisory, both based in Singapore.
Alain has a Masters Degree in International Trade from Ecole Supérieure de Commerce International and a Masters Degree in Banking from Centre d’Etudes Supérieure de Banque in France.
Rory Harding Strand Hanson Representative Africa – Ghana
Email: roryharding@strandhanson.co.uk
Rory is an experienced business development professional and originator. He has raised and introduced financing for businesses and developed projects in a variety of sectors; including manufacturing, energy, agriculture and mining. He has been working in Africa for six years and has built very strong political and commercial relationships in Ghana and the West African region.
In 2011, Rory founded a mining services company, which until 2016, provided mining services to a TSX listed gold producer in Ghana. Rory has also been involved in a number of feasibility studies and due diligence programs in petroleum infrastructure, power production and mining exploration.
Rory has also spent time in Mexico working on a gold project and in Kenya, where he was involved in the management of a large commercial farm, whilst developing a research facility for commercialisation of agricultural sanitisers. Rory’s recent focus has been on business development for two International Energy Trading Houses for whom he has arranged local content partners and facilitated import of clean petroleum products and bunker fuels into the WAF market in 2016.
Stuart Thomson Strand Hanson Representative Middle-East – Dubai
Email: sthomson@montpelliercorp.com
Stuart has over 25 years of international business experience, including from 1989 to 2001 as the Chairman and Managing Director of Professional Investment Consultants (PIC) based in Dubai. PIC grew from a start-up office and two consultants to sixteen offices and over one hundred consultants worldwide. Since 2001, Stuart has held numerous executive positions on various company boards within the Middle East, UK and Australia.
He offers clients his extensive knowledge and network of international connections. Stuart’s strong business management capabilities and entrepreneurial style bring a wealth of skills to identify growth opportunities and offer appropriate introductions to relevant contact parties in the Middle East region. Stuart has assisted with the transaction of capital raisings on various AIM and ASX mining listed companies with project values well in excess of US$400m.
The Hon Robert Hanson Senior Advisor
Robert graduated from Oxford University with a degree in English Literature before embarking on a career in international corporate finance, primarily focused on the construction, mining and building sectors.
Robert was an Associate Director of N.M Rothschild & Sons, spending a number of years in China and South East Asia and subsequently became a main board director of Hanson Plc, with a specific responsibility for mergers and acquisitions. He is currently the Chairman of both Hanson Capital Limited and the Hanson Family Holdings Limited and is also a Non-Executive Director of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd and Managing Partner of Millennium Hanson Internet Partners. Robert became the Chairman of Strand Hanson in October 2009.
N.J.R.Wright (Nick) Consultant
Nick is a Petroleum Geologist by training, with a long career in the international Oil & Gas industry, much of it spent working for Phillips Petroleum Company in the United States, Canada, Norway and the UK. Apart from exploring for oil in basins around the world, Nick has managed non-operated interests in some major North Sea field development projects and has extensive Commercial experience gained as a portfolio manager and strategic planning director. Since 2004 Nick has acted as consultant to a number of Oil & Gas companies, mainly in the areas of project evaluations and A&D, and has provided technical support and advice to various City financial institutions. In particular, he has worked extensively in the AIM market acting as an advisor to Nomads in the Oil & Gas sector.
Frank Moxon CF, Chartered FCSI, FIMMM, FEI, Consultant
Frank is managing director of Hoyt Moxon, a financial adviser and consultant to companies and professional advisers with an emphasis on mining and oil & gas. A Loughborough University economics graduate, he trained initially as an analyst at Capel Cure Myers then spent 18 years in corporate finance roles at Beeson Gregory, Société Générale, Old Mutual, Williams de Broë, where he was head of corporate finance and head of natural resources, and Evolution, where he headed up the mining team. He was Senior Independent Director of Cove Energy Plc, holds or has held various other non-executive directorships at mining and oil & gas companies listed in London, Toronto and Australia and is a director of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.
Michael Forrest CGeol, CSci, FIMMM, FAusIMM, FGS, Technical Consultant
Michael has over 20 years experience as a geochemist specialising in field data surveys, databasing, and geological interpretation with the British Geological Survey where he was employed as a senior geologist. For nearly a decade he worked as a mining consultant, principally in the assessment of commodity markets and mining projects, with Mining Journal Research Services where he was deputy head of research. He is now principal at Mining Research advising mining companies and service providers.
Julian Bennett BSc, ARSM, FIMMM, CEng, Technical Consultant
Julian is a Chartered Mining Engineer with over 50 years in the industry. A graduate of the Royal School of Mines, he initially worked on the Copperbelt of Zambia, both underground and open pit. Subsequently, he joined a London based mining group working on projects in Australia, India and Canada where he was responsible for the underground construction of a new gold mine. He then took up a role with a UK junior gold miner, with developments in Zimbabwe and Ghana. After a brief spell in mine construction contracting, he joined the UK office of a Canadian mine engineering company with projects in DRC and Zambia.
Since 2001, he has been an independent consultant to a number of mining companies, and to investors. His extensive experience has covered gold, most base metals, and gemstones, and he has wide experience in Africa, South America and countries of the former Soviet Union.