Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated recently issued the following announcement.

Baird, an employee-owned, international financial services firm, today announced that Simon Pearson and Justin Prichard have joined the firm’s European Investment Banking group as Managing Directors, continuing the expansion of Baird’s Global Technology & Services practice. Pearson and Prichard will focus on the technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) space, and will be based in the firm’s London office.

Both Pearson and Prichard join Baird from Ernst & Young (EY), where they led the firm’s technology, media & telecommunications M&A advisory practice and advised clients in approximately 30 countries across the globe. Collectively, they bring more than 40 years of M&A advisory experience to Baird.

“We are excited to add Simon and Justin to our team in Europe,” said David Silver, Head of Baird’s European Investment Banking Team. “Adding TMT coverage to our already robust and well-respected Tech & Services platform will further strengthen our offering and enhance our ability to meet client needs.”

Pearson has extensive experience leading software M&A, fundraising and other corporate finance advisory transactions. He has advised on many leading technology transactions in Europe that involved software applications across a range of verticals, including oil & gas, gaming, healthcare, image processing insurance, HR, procurement, payments, hosting, cloud cyber and digital infrastructure. Prior to his role at EY, he was a director at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he helped establish the firm’s business in Central Europe. He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Exeter.

Prichard has led transactions across many areas of the TMT space, including news/research/analysis & data in agriculture, automotive, CGR (compliance, governance & risk), financial markets, insurance, pharmaceuticals & life sciences and property. He also has extensive experience in telecoms infrastructure, payments software, and technology and services in the broadcast and media industry. Prior to his role at EY, he was the director of corporate development at a venture-backed technology start-up company and also held various investment banking roles at EY and Macquarie Bank. He earned an MBA from Cass Business School, as well as a bachelor of commerce degree from the University of Otago.

“It’s an exciting time to join Baird as the global Technology & Services platform continues to grow,” said Pearson. “I look forward to continuing that momentum as we work to provide strong results for investment banking clients.”

Prichard added: “Baird has a values-driven culture and singular focus on client service. I look forward to joining the team and helping to further build coverage of the technology, media and TMT space.”

Today, Baird’s Global Technology & Services platform includes:

More than 85 investment bankers in our Global Technology & Services group, who completed more than 100 M&A and financing transactions with a total deal value of $28 billion since 2017;

20 Research Analysts covering more than 150 Technology & Services stocks;

A dedicated Equity Sales & Trading team that makes a market in approximately 600 technology stocks and has traded over 700 million shares of Technology stocks in the last twelve months; and

A Private Company Technology & Services conference and Global Consumer, Technology & Services conference, which combined highlight over 300 public and private companies.

Original source: http://www.rwbaird.com/news/Baird-Expands-Global-Technology-Services-Practice