Lincoln International Expands its Office in Sao Paulo, Brazil: Acquires the Financial Advisory Division of the Stratus Group

SAO PAULO, Brazil, July 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Lincoln International, a leading global mid-market investment bank, announced today that it has expanded its Sao Paulo office with the acquisition of the financial advisory division of Stratus Group.  After opening the Sao Paulo office in September 2012, this acquisition brings the total number of Lincoln International investment bankers to 10 in Sao Paulo, marking another important step in Lincoln's global expansion.  The expanded staff enables Lincoln International to offer informed, customized, and value-added M&A and strategic advisory services to an even broader range of clients in the Brazilian and Latin American markets. With an investment banking team approaching 300 professionals globally, Lincoln International has established a strong presence in the key global economies, with fourteen offices worldwide.

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Since 1999, the Stratus Group has been a leading Sao Paulo-based investment firm consisting of a dedicated mid-market private equity team and a separate, mid-market financial advisory service. Lincoln International's acquisition of Stratus' advisory division will allow its current clients to benefit from the globally-integrated Lincoln International platform, while allowing the remaining Stratus Group to focus on its core private equity activity. Stratus' private equity organization has developed a leading track record in the region over the years.  Alberto Camoes, founding Partner of Stratus Group, commented "We are excited about the transaction with Lincoln International as it represents the recognition of the high standards applied by our Group in all its activities. It will also enable Stratus to solely concentrate on continuing to grow our successful private equity business, allowing us to serve our investors and portfolio companies with increasing dedication. At the same time our former advisory team will benefit from Lincoln International's highly successful globally integrated mid-market M&A advisory business."

Jim Lawson, Chairman of Lincoln International commented "Brazil is a key global market and has important and increasing connections to the other key global economies where we operate. The acquisition of the financial advisory division of Stratus allows Lincoln International to continue building its Sao Paulo office and further its presence in Latin America and worldwide."

Luiz Recchia is joining Lincoln International from Stratus as a Managing Director. Mr. Recchia has over 20 years of experience in leading, originating and executing corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions in Brazil.   Over the past seven years with Stratus, Mr. Recchia oversaw and closed more than 30 middle market M&A transactions.  Mr. Recchia holds a Master of Business Administration degree from INSEAD and a degree in Economics from Universidade de Sao Paulo.  

Mr. Recchia commented, "The integration of the Stratus financial advisory division and its seven person team is a win-win for Lincoln International, the Stratus advisory team and the Stratus Group. Lincoln International's fully-integrated global platform is unique to the mid-market and exactly what our clients need. The Stratus advisory team is excited to become part of Lincoln International and to integrate into an independent, global M&A advisory business so that we can serve our clients without conflicts of interest."

Also joining Lincoln International is Roberto Aldworth, who will join as a Director.   Mr. Aldworth was a Director of M&A at Stratus for the last three years. 

James Sinclair, CEO of Lincoln International Brazil, a veteran investment banker with over 25 years of experience working in Brazil and other parts of Latin America said, "Lincoln International looks forward to growing its Brazilian team further and being an important player in the Brazilian M&A market.  The acquisition of Stratus financial advisory arm brings us one step closer to that goal."

About Lincoln International

Lincoln International specializes in merger and acquisition advisory services, debt advisory services, private capital raising and restructuring advice on mid-market transactions. Lincoln International also provides fairness opinions, valuations and pension advisory services on a wide range of transaction sizes. With fourteen offices in the Americas, Asia and Europe, Lincoln International has strong local knowledge and contacts in key global economies. The firm provides clients with senior-level attention, in-depth industry expertise and integrated resources. By being focused and independent, Lincoln International serves its clients without conflicts of interest. More information about Lincoln International can be obtained at www.lincolninternational.com.

About Stratus Group

Founded in 1999, the Stratus Group established itself as a leading private equity firm with focus on mid-market investments in Brazil. Organized as a private partnership, Stratus has been regarded for important achievements in the Private Equity field, leading the PREQUIN ranking of PE returns in Latin America by multiple of capital, awarded by Brazilian institutional investors in 2010 and 2011 as the best governance and the best transaction of the year respectively, in addition to being short-listed to the global award Sustainable Asset Manager of the Year by the Financial Times in 2011.  The group added an independent financial advisory arm in 2005, with the integration of the M&A team of Integritas Partners and developed such division successfully until being acquired by Lincoln International. More information about the Stratus Group can be obtained at www.stratusbr.com .

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Mary Weber
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SOURCE Lincoln International LLC