Managing Director Bernhard Engel will head A&M’s Austrian and CEE business in Vienna, where he will also co-lead the firm’s Financial Industry Advisory Services (FIAS) practice in the DACH region.

Vienna, 12 September 2023: Leading global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) has tapped seasoned industry leader Bernhard Engel to pilot the launch of its Austrian office to respond to growing demand in the region for performance improvement, balance sheet optimisation and M&A.

The strategic appointment, based in Vienna and effective immediately, will spearhead A&M’s business in Austria and CEE. Working closely with Managing Director David Edmonds in London, Mr Engel will also co-lead a growing, dedicated senior team to support the firm’s DACH-based financial services (FS) clients. Bernhard Engel is a specialist in performance improvement, balance sheet optimisation and creating value through M&A in FS.

Prior to joining A&M, Mr Engel was CEO of private equity-owned FS business AxFina, and FS Industry and Deals Leader at PwC – where he built a pan-industry deals business across Austria and CEE. Mr Engel pioneered Non-Performing Loans transactions via synthetic and true sale structures in DACH. Before that, he served as head of Capital Management and Credit Treasury at UniCredit, where he restructured banks in Ukraine and Kazakhstan via guarantee scheme transactions.

He also structured and issued one of the largest securitisations (€8 billion) for capital generation purposes and executed Austria’s first ever NPLs portfolio transaction. Mr Engel has completed more than 100 transactions, restructuring and optimisation programmes in Europe as adviser, principal and investor.

Mr Engel commented: “Returning to the competitive consultancy landscape, I was naturally drawn to the pragmatic, hands-on approach that sets A&M apart. This dual role in Austria is an exciting opportunity to bring my experience to bear – closely supporting our valued FS DACH clients with the insights they need, while also building out a world-class team to support growth across CEE.”

Antonio "Tony" Alvarez III, Managing Director and A&M’s EMEA Practice lead, said: "This is more than simply A&M’s latest footprint in EMEA. Our office in Vienna represents the next piece of the puzzle in DACH as we continue to provide holistic support to our clients. Welcoming Bernhard to the team will be integral to the firm’s CEE expansion.”

David Edmonds, Managing Director, Co-Head of FIAS and Global Portfolio Lead Advisory Services, added: “We’re delighted to have a leader of Bernhard’s calibre on board, and look forward to counting on his local – and global – insights. His track record in portfolio sales, securitisation and management, and his expertise on broader FS restructuring, optimisation and M&A, will stand our clients across DACH in good stead.”

ENDS

About Alvarez & Marsal

Companies, investors, and government entities around the world turn to Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) for leadership, action, and 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. When conventional approaches are not enough to create transformation and drive change, clients seek our deep expertise and ability to deliver practical solutions to their unique problems.

With more than 8,000 people providing services across six continents, we deliver tangible results for corporates, boards, creditors, private equity firms, law firms and government agencies facing complex challenges. Our senior leaders, and their teams, leverage A&M’s restructuring heritage to help companies act decisively, catapult growth and accelerate results. We are experienced operators, world-class consultants, former regulators, and industry authorities with a shared commitment to telling clients what’s really needed for turning change into a strategic business asset, managing risk and unlocking value at every stage of growth.

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

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CONTACT:

Matthias Wabl, +43 (0) 664 196 1847, Theseus Advisers, wabl@theseusadvisers.com

Alina Reinhardt, Alvarez & Marsal, areinhardt@alvarezandmarsal.com