Introduction to Livingstone
Founded 36 years ago, Livingstone was the UK’s first mergers and acquisitions (M&A) boutique. Our vision in 1976 was the same as today: to provide best-in-class investment banking advice with an entrepreneurial ‘twist’ to mid-market clients; clients who often feel neglected by the ‘bulge bracket’ banks and uninspired by the larger accountancy firms.
In 1993, Livingstone became the first mid-market corporate finance houses to recognise the importance of developing an international M&A capability, and was instrumental in the creation of EuroMerger, one of the world’s first international networks of M&A boutiques. In 1999, members of the four teams that were to become Livingstone Partners played an important role in the creation of a larger partnership, Global M&A, through a partial merger with EuroMerger.
In 1994 Livingstone first co-operated with its Spanish team, a relationship that prospered over the following 16 years. Between 1995 and 2006, Livingstone was ranked by Thomson Financial as the No 1 boutique by level of M&A activity in the United Kingdom.
In 2000, Livingstone first came into contact with its US team, a relationship that has flourished since and generated substantial fee income over a five year period. In 2005, Livingstone celebrated the completion of its 300th deal in a 10 year period and, in 2006, we received industry recognition when Livingstone won Boutique of the Year at the BVCA Private Equity Awards.
In early 2007, Livingstone made a decisive move towards fulfilling its long-term strategy of delivering a seamless cross-border M&A service to mid-market clients through a merger with members of its former partners in Global M&A in Spain and the US. That year saw the Livingstone team complete 50 transactions with an aggregate deal value of €2bn. During the year, the team grew to 60 full time staff.
In 2008, the firm was once again recognised as the Boutique of the Year at the Private Equity Awards. In 2009, and despite the worst M&A environment in generations, the Livingstone team completed 32 transaction with an aggregate deal value of $1.35bn
In 2010, Livingstone was voted Mid-Market Advisor by M&A industry bible Acquisitions Monthly and Independent Corporate Finance House at the Private Equity Awards, the third time in five years. The team was further enhanced as its previous partners in Germany were re-united with their former colleagues to create Livingstone’s Düsseldorf office.
In August 2011, Livingstone launched Healthcare as its fifth global industry sector team based on many years of successful transactions in the Medical Devices and Healthcare services segments.
In January 2012, Livingstone launched Livingstone Beijing, a joint-venture with local investment bank Baron Group, with which Livingstone has worked successfully for more than six years. This gave our clients access to the most acquisitive state-owned and private sector groups and investors across mainland China and Hong Kong.