AI Issue 11 2017

26 Acquisition International - November 2017 Capstan Capital Partners LLP is an independent, privately-owned financial services firm with offices in London, Zurich and Cologne. The two principal activities of the firm comprise bespoke corporate finance services and arranging capital for special situations. Managing Partner of the Swiss office of Capstan Capital, Steffen Bassler provides us with a breakdown of the services that the company offers. apstan Capital has an extensive network of relationships and has unique access to specialist investors across the entire capital structure. The team leverages these networks, in tandem with its intellectual capital, to craft innovative and conflict-free solutions to achieve the client’s strategic and financing objectives. Typically, clients are corporations, financial sponsors, family offices, family-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, and the company operates across Europe with core market activities in Germany, Switzerland, UK, and Italy. Steffen talks us through the general workings of the company, as well as the market that Capstan Capital operates in. “Throughout the company, our capital raising services continue to be focused on middle market companies in Western Europe. Small to medium sized corporates in Europe often struggle to find access to institutional capital beyond their domestic or local relationships. Capstan’s international team has connected our corporate clients with capital providers in foreign jurisdictions, from North America to the Far East. Bringing together European corporates and sophisticated international investors, such as private debt investors, family offices and private equity funds is where we see our strength. “At Capstan, we have extensive and senior experience in managing capital raising assignments gained from large, and mid-cap transactions at leading investment banks. The major differences between arranging conventional debt funding from banks and procuring capital from alternative sources in the private debt market, are in the financial and legal structures. Our private debt transactions are bespoke structures to suit the very specific requirements of both, lenders and corporate borrowers. The key to our successful closings was to devise capital structures that fit in well with the business plan and financial model of the borrower, while satisfying the required risk return-profile of the financier.” Discussing how it feels to have been selected in the CEO of the Year Awards as the CEO of the Year – Switzerland, Steffen talks about being proud and delighted, and how it allows himself to strive to improve further in his role as CEO. Company: Capstan Capital (Schweiz) LLC Contact: Steffen Bassler Contact Email: sbassler@ capstan-capital.com Address: Tannenriedstrasse 10, Horgen, 8810, Switzerland Phone: 0041 79 200 7089 Website: www.capstan-capital.com Specialists in Corporate Finance for theMid-Market C 1711AI40 “Here at Capstan, we are very proud and delighted to receive this prestigious award, which is an important industry endorsement of our ability to consistently generate superior shareholder value and deal certainty for our clients across multiple industry sectors. In a highly contested and fragmented advisory landscape, the A.I. CEO Award allows us to demonstrably differentiate ourselves as advisors who can leverage our industry knowledge and negotiation skills to genuinely crystallise premium valuations for our clients.” There are many key aspects which have contributed to the success of Capstan, and Steffen lists just a few, starting with the understanding that the team needs to reach, match, and exceed client expectations on a regular basis. “Integral to the success of the company, the understand the need of our clients to deliver bespoke solutions. This helps to build long-term client relationships. Everyone must always listen to the client first, it is all people business. “Moreover, our philosophy for success focuses on creating long term relationships with our clients by providing the right advice, sometimes at a short- term disadvantage to ourselves. We feel it is critical to craft a relationship based on integrity and trust, so that Capstan is perceived as the ‘go-to’ advisor whenever a client requires objective, impartial and unconflicted advice.” Examining the culture within the company, Steffen explains how staff are kept happy, as a happy and friendly working environment contributes to a successful company. He alludes the to the fact that all staff understand the culture, and work towards fostering a good internal culture. “Fundamentally, we have assembled a group of senior investment banking professionals with deep sector and exceptional product experience from leading global financial institutions. Plus, our partners share a common vision based on integrity, client focus, exceptional service and trust, which manifests itself into our principal objective of serving the best interests of our clients.” As Managing Partner of the Zurich office in Switzerland, Steffen’s responsibility ranges