Roland Phillips Joins Centerview Partners

NEW YORK, April 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Centerview Partners announced today that Roland Phillips, an experienced banker with extensive relationships across the industry, will join the firm's London office as a partner.  Mr. Phillips will be primarily responsible for European corporate client coverage, and have a particular focus on companies in the consumer and retail sectors.  He joins a growing office in London led by senior partner Richard Girling.  Mr. Phillips brings 15 years of advisory experience at UBS and has worked in both London and New York.  He most recently headed UBS's EMEA Consumer Products & Retail team.

"We are pleased to have Roland on board given his significant global experience.  He will enhance our already leading global consumer advisory business and give us a dedicated consumer presence in Europe that we will materially strengthen our international platform," said Richard Girling, partner of Centerview.

"I am excited to join a great group of partners who are among the industry's most experienced leaders.  Centerview exemplifies a pre-eminent global advisory firm where a client-oriented culture and long term focus are the pillars of success," said Mr. Phillips.

Mr. Phillips established UBS as the leading Consumer and Retail team in Europe.  His recent assignments include advising the shareholders of Iceland Foods on its 1.55 billion pounds Sterling sale to a management led consortium and the $825 million sale of Concern Kalina to Unilever plc.

"The firm has made strong progress in Europe since we opened the office in 2009.  The firm recently advised Kraft on its $21.6 billion acquisition of Cadbury, PepsiCo on its $5.4 billion acquisition of Wimm-Bill-Dann, and Pfizer Nutrition's sale to Nestle for $11.9 billion.  Roland's background and experience will complement our already strong group of bankers in London," said Robert Pruzan, founding partner of Centerview.

About Roland Phillips

Roland Phillips will join as a Partner at Centerview based in London. He brings more than 15 years of consumer products and retail advisory experience to the firm.  Prior to joining Centerview, Mr. Phillips worked at UBS in London and New York.  Mr. Phillips was a Managing Director based in New York before becoming head of UBS's EMEA Consumer Products & Retail team in London.  He is a dual U.S. and British citizen.  Mr. Phillips holds a B.A. from Franklin & Marshall College.

About Centerview Partners

Centerview Partners, based in New York, and with offices in London, Los Angeles and San Francisco operates an international investment banking advisory practice specializing in independent advice and other client services capitalizing on the experience of its principals.  The firm provides senior-level counsel to both domestic and international clients and its business includes general and M&A advisory as well as restructuring.  Since its founding in 2006, the firm has advised clients in over $400 billion of transactions.  Members of the firm have experience in a range of industries including the consumer products, financial services, food and beverage, entertainment and media, healthcare, technology, telecommunications, general industrial and retail sectors.

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SOURCE Centerview Partners