Oppenheimer Expands European Investment Banking Team in London

Oppenheimer's Strategic Expansion in Europe

Oppenheimer Europe, a subsidiary of Oppenheimer Holdings, a leading investment bank and wealth management firm listed on the NYSE under OPY, has taken significant strides in strengthening its investment banking capabilities in Europe. On March 12, 2025, the firm revealed the recruitment of several seasoned investment bankers based in London, marking a crucial milestone in their ongoing efforts to enhance financial services and merger-and-acquisition (M&A) activities within open public markets.

The new recruits, coming from financial boutique Hannam Partners, include Ernest Bell, who will serve as the Managing Director and will take charge of Public M&A and Wealth Management across Europe, alongside Giles Fitzpatrick, Vice President and Executive Director of Investment Banking activities in Europe, and Richard Clarke, a Senior Advisor. Joining them is Lucia Sviatkova, a Partner focusing on M&A for listed companies and wealth management in Europe. The leadership team will report to Max Lami, the CEO of Oppenheimer's European operations.

Max Lami expressed enthusiasm for the new hires, emphasizing their commitment to providing high-quality execution and significant results for clients. He stated, "Our bankers in Europe operate on a global scale while collaborating across borders, and we are excited that Ernest, Giles, Richard, and Lucia will help us continue developing our financial institutions group and our European investment banking platform."

A Focus on Wealth Management and UK Public M&A

Ernest Bell brings a wealth of experience in open public market transactions and wealth management advisory, having advised on deals worth over $25 billion. Prior to joining Oppenheimer, he held a partnership role at Hannam Partners and had previous tenures at Investec and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Reflecting on the evolving landscape in the UK wealth management sector, Bell stated, “The British wealth management sector is undergoing significant evolution due to intergenerational wealth transfers and ongoing technological advancements, which have heightened both investment levels and M&A activity, particularly influenced by the US market.” Bell noted that in the realm of public company M&A, Oppenheimer intends to advise target companies and offering companies on public tender offers, leveraging the firm’s platform for global outreach and its advanced investment banking capabilities.

Giles Fitzpatrick, who previously worked as a partner at Hannam Partners, noted the importance of Oppenheimer in the current financial landscape. He said, “Since the global financial crisis, the U.S. has cemented its status as a center for national and international capital markets and M&A. Access to U.S. deal creation and distribution is crucial for advising UK and European companies.”

Welcoming a Veteran in Wealth Management

Richard Clarke joins Oppenheimer after also serving at Hannam Partners and holds extensive experience from KPMG, where he led corporate finance, M&A, and wealth management. His background includes overseeing M&A operations for over 100 clients, which range from international financial institutions to public entities and private equity firms, especially in sectors known for wealth management, financial planning, and asset management.

Gilbert Dychiao, co-head of investment banking and global head of the financial institutions group at Oppenheimer, highlighted the strong positioning of the firm. With more than 30 investment bankers serving financial services companies in the U.S. and U.K., Oppenheimer is well-poised to be a trusted advisor for firms and sponsors engaged in the wealth management ecosystem in the U.K.

The arrival of Bell, Fitzpatrick, Clarke, and Sviatkova will bolster Oppenheimer’s strong track record in wealth management advisory and capital markets consulting in the U.S., further solidifying their foothold in the European financial services sector.

In summary, Oppenheimer Europe’s expansion reflects a robust strategy aimed at enhancing their capabilities in the competitive landscape of financial services and public M&A, ensuring they remain at the forefront of industry trends and client needs across Europe.