Clairfield celebrates 20 years as leading advisor to the global midmarket
Clairfield International, a leading corporate finance partnership, proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary this September. Over the last two decades, Clairfield has grown from its roots as a European-focused M&A advisor to an established global midmarket firm boasting a 400-strong team with presence in 32 countries.
Since its inception, Clairfield has been committed to its mission of providing top-tier corporate finance advisory services in midmarket transactions. The firm, domiciled in Geneva, was founded in 2004 by five partners who saw the need for high-quality strategic and M&A advice tailored to the middle market, coupled with crossborder capability. The partners aimed to deliver senior-level personal attention, dedicated teams, independence, and detail-oriented results that only a boutique firm can offer. At the same time, the objective was to open opportunities for midmarket companies that held great international potential but lacked global inroads.
With the strong performance of the middle market through fluctuating financial cycles over the past 20 years, the founders’ vision and formula proved to be a winning one. From 15 deals valued at EUR 156 million in 2004 to 196 deals totalling EUR 8 billion in 2023, Clairfield has consistently ranked among the top independent advisory firms by the financial media. Key client constituencies of Clairfield are family-owned businesses; large corporates with midmarket advisory needs; private equity investors and their portfolio companies; and founder-led businesses, and growth companies.
An ambitious expansion plan resulted in offices in 32 countries. In addition to a strong presence in Europe and the Americas, Clairfield has more recent partners in Japan and the ASEAN region as well as in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, thus providing truly global coverage.
Along with geographic expansion, Clairfield established strategic sector verticals, pooling in-depth sector knowledge and resources worldwide, aided by a powerful group of senior advisors from industry and services. In addition, a Debt Advisory and Capital Solutions team, as well as ESG Advisory, were set up as practise groups.
With the establishment of the Clairfield Academy, a state-of-the-art training platform, Clairfield further demonstrates its commitment to investment in talent to ensure that the team remains at the forefront of the industry.
“Midmarket crossborder transactions come with unique complexities,” says Alex Klemm, executive chair of Clairfield since 2015. “Our holistic approach supports our clients to clearly define their objectives and achieve them with a high degree of certainty. We are honoured by our role in many deals by helping companies grow internationally, partner, raise capital, and lift businesses to a higher level. The same holds true for our motivation for growing our own business.”
Thierry Chetrit, managing partner of Clairfield in Paris and one of the original founders, states: “While advising over 2000 clients on their journeys, we have also been on our own entrepreneurial path. Over the last two decades, Clairfield has evolved into a top-rated trusted advisor worldwide. In our 20 years in business, we have witnessed the transformation of the midmarket and accompanied our clients every step of the way. Throughout, our mission has not wavered and indeed has come into clearer focus: ethical business for great outcomes. Our staying power is rooted in our singular focus on the client’s needs and interests.”
Clairfield partners from 25 countries are gathering in Paris to celebrate Clairfield’s 20 years with its global partner meeting and an anniversary party on 19 September.
