Global investment bank Houlihan Lokey has appointed Scott Kirkby as managing director in its European financial services and technology team, operating as part of the global fintech group.
Based in London, Kirkby will focus primarily on the banking and lending sector, further strengthening the firm’s EMEA capabilities in this area.
He joins from Bupa, where he was the group director of corporate development with a range of responsibilities, including M&A and portfolio management. Prior to that, he spent seven years as head of corporate development and M&A at NatWest Group, formerly the RBS Group, where he played a leading role in the significant divestiture programme undertaken by the bank as well as various acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and internal restructures.
Earlier in his career, Kirkby spent 12 years in Credit Suisse’s Financial Institutions Group (FIG), becoming head of EMEA FIG M&A, based in London, before moving to New York in 2013 as head of FIG M&A for the Americas. He began his investment banking career in 2001 in Australia.
Commenting on Kirkby’s appointment, Christian Kent, managing director and co-head of Houlihan Lokey’s European financial services and technology team, said: “He has invaluable insights into how the banking and lending sector across Europe is evolving. The rapid digital transformation in the sector has opened new opportunities for clients to embrace innovation, scale operations through M&A, and expand into new verticals.
“Scott’s wealth of experience, strategic insight, and expansive network will help our clients as they consider a future sale, acquisition, capital raise, or other strategic options for their business.”
“Houlihan Lokey is renowned for its deep end-market expertise both in the traditional banking and lending sector and the wider finT=tech landscape, with senior financial professionals across every vertical,” said Kirkby. “Not only that, but there is an understanding at the firm that an industry driven by innovation and change requires a unique blend of sector expertise, transaction experience, and a genuinely client-centric ethos. These values align with my own, and I look forward to working with the team to deliver exceptional results for our client base.”
Headquartered in Los Angeles, USA, Houlihan Lokey is a global investment bank with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory. The firm serves corporations, institutions, and governments worldwide with offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region.
