Clearwater International appoints former senior PwC Corporate Finance partner Julian Brown as new CEO

Clearwater International, the leading global mid-market corporate finance house, has today announced the appointment of Julian Brown as chief executive officer (CEO), along with his addition to the firm’s International Board of Directors.

The appointment comes on the back of a record period of growth which saw the business complete more than 90 deals worth £7.6bn and grow by over 20% in the last six months. Julian Brown takes over from Michael Reeves, who, having led Clearwater International as CEO since its inception almost seven years ago, has decided to focus on his role as UK Managing Partner and board member of the UK business.

Clearwater International’s new CEO arrives with almost 30 years of international corporate finance experience in Europe and North America and will work across regions and with all 55 of the firm’s partners to deliver a comprehensive company growth strategy.

Brown spent 15 years at PwC building and running their corporate finance businesses in Spain, Canada and latterly the USA, as well as sitting on their Global Corporate Finance Board with responsibility for North and South America.

His experience ideally positions him to move Clearwater International forward with its ambitious growth plans as well as deepening the recently-announced relationship with KeyBanc Capital Markets.

Commenting on his appointment Julian Brown, CEO, Clearwater International said:

“Clearwater International is a business that has grown into an established, trusted and well-known brand across Europe in a relatively short space of time. I am both honoured and humbled that the partners have entrusted me with the exciting role of driving the business further forward.

“The partners in this business are outstanding entrepreneurs and business people in their own right, and this resonates strongly with our clients. My role as CEO is to work with this amazing pool of talent to help them realise their full combined potential as a business.

“I have spent the Summer months travelling to meet partners and staff around the business and am excited not only by the quality, energy, dedication and professionalism of our people but also by the client-centric culture of the firm.” 

UK Managing Partner and International Board Member Phil Burns who led the search commented:

“We are delighted that Julian has chosen to join Clearwater International and lead the further growth of our independent business. Julian has a proven background, and we are confident that with his leadership we will achieve our ambitious growth plans.

“He will also further the development of our teams with a focused energy on our culture and values that makes Clearwater the trusted adviser to support our clients and connections to achieve their goals.”

Michael Reeves, UK Managing Partner and former CEO of Clearwater International commented:

“It is the right time to pass the baton to a new leader of this incredible business. In the last seven years the business has experienced phenomenal growth which has placed us consistently in the top 10 financial advisory firms in Europe.

“I am proud of what we have achieved in the last seven years and am confident in the strong foundation that has been laid for Julian to lead the further growth of our business.”