Two new recruits for Catalyst

James Knott and Mark Birri - ready for a record year

Catalyst has added to its team with two new senior deal-makers, Mark Birri and James Knott.

Mark has four years experience of corporate finance with PricewaterhouseCoopers where he advised on MBOs, fund raising, company acquisitions and disposals. He will join the team in London where he will continue to build his knowledge and contacts within the engineering sector. An Economics graduate from the University of Warwick, Mark is also fluent in Italian, a skill he will use when working with Catalyst’s international partnership, Mergers Alliance.

James Knott, a Mathematics graduate from Exeter University has joined the Birmingham office of Catalyst to further strengthen its position in the Midlands. James, also from PricewaterhouseCoopers, has a wide range of experience working with private equity. He will be working closely with partners Richard Sanders and Jamie Hope to develop business within the region.

Andy Currie, Managing Partner at Catalyst commented, "We are delighted to be expanding our team in a marketplace that remains challenging. The strategy we employed in 2009 to retain our focus on mid-market lead advisory, rather than chase corporate recovery style assignments, has paid off and we are busier than ever. We fully expect 2010 to be a record year for Catalyst in terms of the number of deals completed, hence the need to recruit."