Leeds international firm partner joins Garbutt + Elliott corporate finance team

Yorkshire accountants and business advisers, Garbutt + Elliott, has expanded its corporate finance team with the appointment of a new partner.

Rob Burton, who has 21 years’ experience in corporate finance with international firms, joins the 13-strong team led by head of corporate finance, Tony Farmer, after 15 years at the Leeds office of a global corporate advisory firm, including six as a partner,

His appointment brings senior members of the team, which operates nationally and has completed deals with a total value of £160m in the last 12 months, to three partners and two directors supported by banking and corporate finance executives.

Rob Burton, a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, has expertise in corporate sales and acquisitions, refinancing, private equity investments, management buyouts and buy-ins.

He is based at Garbutt+ Elliott’s Leeds office in Park Square where he will continue to develop the firm’s presence in West Yorkshire, with a strong focus on mid-market transactions.

Rob Burton, says: “I’m delighted to be joining Garbutt + Elliott and am excited at the opportunity to grow the firm’s corporate finance practice in West Yorkshire and beyond.

“The firm has a very strong team, a growing reputation, and has achieved significant financial growth during the last few years. It also has a substantial owner-managed business client base, the sector I have dealt with successfully throughout my career

“While the coronavirus pandemic is changing the market, transactional opportunities in Yorkshire remain strong.

“The private equity community has cash to invest; accelerated M&A opportunities are likely to increase due to business challenges; management buy outs will continue as business owners reduce their own risk and create opportunities for ambitious management teams and larger corporates will seek value-enhancing acquisitions or look to divest of non-core subsidiaries.”

Tony Farmer says: “Rob’s experience adds to our already-strong corporate finance team enabling us to strengthen the top-class advice and support  businesses throughout the UK will require in the challenging times ahead.”

Garbutt + Elliott’s corporate finance team, which operates from its Leeds and York offices, manages deals throughout the UK across a wide range of commercial sectors.