AI Issue 11 2017

Acquisition International - November 2017 27 Specialists in Corporate Finance for the Mid-Market from coverage of the Swiss market, origination and management of transactions nationally in Switzerland as well as cross-border. Steffen is Managing Partner of the Swiss office of Capstan Capital. He advises on direct investment strategies from Private Equity, Mezzanine to Private Debt and Real Estate as well as Small and Midcap M&A transactions. He has over 15 years’ experience in Investment Banking as European Head at Credit Suisse, Strategy Consulting and Asset Management. Before this role, he had worked as a consultant in strategy and corporate finance mandates in Swiss industry and Finance companies for Arthur D. Little. He started his career with an international trainee program for the Daimler Financial Services AG with stations in Canada, Berlin, Puerto Rico and Madrid and implemented afterward the risk controlling for the fleet-management operations of Daimler. Furthermore, highlighting his passion, expertise and knowledge, he holds a MBA (Dipl.Kfm.) degree in entrepreneurship & finance at the European Business School (ebs) in Germany, is FCA-(UK) as well as Swiss Board School (HSG)-certified for advisory boards and actively serves as board member. Steffen is also engaged as business angel for Swiss start-up companies, regularly publishes articles in several Swiss business and economic publications and is university lecturer for Corporate Finance at the ebs in Germany. Steffen tells us what key attributes he believes he possesses make him an award-winning business leader, before explaining what advice he would give to someone looking to make a success similar to their own, “Vital to my success is my ability to be smart with a smile. Think outside the box and be trustworthy.” “Regarding what recommendation I would give to others - as we say in the Swiss Alps - to climb the top of a mountain, we all start at the bottom. What makes the difference is a positive spirit and mindset, endurance, teamwork and able to take a small detour in order to reach the top if needed. I believe in leadership by results. I strongly believe it is better to have a common goal than to micro- manage.” In his concluding comments, Steffen predicts what the future holds for both himself and the firm. He signs off by explaining the firm’s versatility and adaptability will leave the firm well placed to build on its solid foundations, and catapult itself to the top of the industry in the near future. “Moving forward, corporate clients appreciate that we not only procure alternative sources for their capital needs but can also advise on the optimal capital structure of a transaction and help avoiding pitfalls in the documentation. Our comprehensive service in connection with our proven ability to find capital even in more difficult areas, such as project finance and higher risk loans, put us in a good position to continue our success in the coming months.”