London – Leading global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) has strengthened its presence in the U.K. by opening its first regional office in Birmingham to help business leaders across the Midlands.

The new office will be spearheaded by former Deloitte restructuring specialist Omar Mirza who joins as a Managing Director. Mirza has been based in Birmingham since 2001 and has considerable client experience, having advised on a number of high-profile turnaround and restructuring projects in the Midlands and nationally.

Mirza joins as companies across the region face significant uncertainty. A combination of political and economic factors ranging from the impact of Brexit, a slow-down in the global economy, fluctuating currency rates to changes in consumer spending patterns mean that firms may need to make fundamental changes to protect and grow their businesses.

Omar Mirza said: “The vast majority of Midlands businesses are built on solid foundations. But after a decade of cheap credit, many are faced with the challenge of managing overleveraged financial structures at a time when margins are coming under pressure. These companies should take early action to best protect value for all stakeholders. We are here to help them and believe a local presence is important for our clients who want advice from people who know the local market but have access to global capabilities.”

A&M’s comprehensive offering includes debt restructuring solutions, insolvency, and creditor advisory offerings for clients. The firm also applies its operational know-how to corporate performance improvement and transformation projects.

Mark Firmin, Managing Director and Head of UK Regional Restructuring, said, “A&M is committed to helping businesses transform across all key U.K. regions. Omar has unparalleled knowledge of the Midlands market and there is no better person to establish our presence in the region. If the right steps are taken, we believe the local business community will emerge from this period of uncertainty in a position of real strength.”

Award success in the Midlands 

We recently won the ‘Turnaround Team of the Year’ Award at the Insider Midlands Dealmakers Awards, which recognises the achievements of the Midlands Mergers & Acquisitions professionals, for our efforts in turnaround consultancy. 

Our turnaround experts help companies stabilise financial and operational performance by addressing problems head-on and driving rapid change to preserve and create value. The team was described as the emerging force in turnarounds: "proactive, focused and relentless in its desire to find the right outcomes" against others in the category such as FTI, Interpath Advisory, BDO, Duff & Phelps, FRP Advisory, and Teneo.

About Alvarez & Marsal

Companies, investors and government entities around the world turn to Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) when conventional approaches are not enough to make change and achieve results. Privately held since its founding in 1983, A&M is a leading global professional services firm that provides advisory, business performance improvement and turnaround management services.

With over 3,000 people across four continents, we deliver tangible results for corporates, boards, private equity firms, law firms and government agencies facing complex challenges. Our senior leaders, and their teams, help organizations transform operations, catapult growth and accelerate results through decisive action. Comprised of experienced operators, world-class consultants, former regulators and industry authorities, A&M leverages its restructuring heritage to turn change into a strategic business asset, manage risk and unlock value at every stage of growth.

To learn more, visit: alvarezandmarsal.com. Follow A&M on  LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. 

CONTACT:     

Ingrid Valk, Del Jones, Headland Consultancy PR, +44 20 3805 4822

Miriam Jones, Marketing Manager U.K. & Europe, +44 (0)207 7155202