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JEGI CLARITY and Leonis Partners Join Forces: A New Era in M&A Advisory

In a significant move within the financial advisory sector, JEGI CLARITY, a prominent player in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) with 37 years of rich history, has entered into a strategic merger with Leonis Partners, a relatively newer but esteemed advisory firm specializing in technology transactions. This collaboration has sparked great enthusiasm in the industry as it aims to cultivate an elite global M&A advisory firm under the newly formed brand name, JEGI CLARITY LEONIS (or JCL).

A Powerful Combination

The merger represents a unique alignment of strengths and expertise between the two firms. JEGI CLARITY has built an enviable reputation while serving sectors such as media, marketing, information, and legal markets. On the other hand, Leonis Partners brings its robust experience in software and fintech transactions, adding a contemporary edge to the ensemble. By combining these forces, JCL aims to establish a powerhouse platform for M&A and private capital markets, catering to the continuously evolving global economy.

The headquarters of this newly formed entity will be strategically positioned in New York and London, with an operational force of over 100 professionals across various critical markets, including a notable presence in Sydney and Boston. In 2024 alone, both firms together executed 35 transactions, amassing a collective deal volume close to $5 billion.

Leadership Structure

In North America, the firm will be co-led by Robert Koven, founder and managing partner of Leonis Partners, and Scott Mozarsky, managing director at JEGI CLARITY, who will serve as co-CEOs. Along with them, Doug Stowe has been appointed as President and COO. Additionally, Wilma Jordan, founder and CEO of JEGI CLARITY, will take up the role of Executive Chair for North America.

The European operations will be led by a team of distinguished leaders: Marcus Anselm, San Datta, Jonathan Davis, and Richard Vaughan, while Asia Pacific will be under the guidance of Ben Tolley.

Commitment to Client-Centric Values

The leadership team of JCL is dedicated to preserving the client-focused and best-practice philosophy that has marked the legacy of both organizations. Wilma Jordan expressed her enthusiasm about the merger, noting that the combination of both firms forms a rich tapestry of experience and innovation that will enhance service delivery for their clients. “By blending our firm’s deeply rooted seasoned experience with Leonis’ fresh perspective in technology, we are prepared for the future while augmenting our scale, sector proficiency, and global outreach,” she stated.

Robert Koven echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the exceptional reputation of JEGI CLARITY and the culture of excellence both firms share. He stated, “By combining our expertise, we create an even stronger platform with broader industry coverage and deeper market insights, ensuring superior outcomes for our clients.”

Focus Areas and Transaction Capacity

JCL plans to focus on transactions ranging from $50 million to $500 million, assuring capacity to manage deals that fall outside of these parameters. The firm’s diverse sector expertise will include tech-enabled business services, legal technology and services, information, marketing, media, software, payments, telecom, and technology, underscoring the ongoing convergence between technology and services.

The collaboration aims to diversify the talent pool, merging deep experience with emerging perspectives, which is essential to foster innovation and maintain relevance in today’s competitive landscape. The inherent cultural alignment between the partner firms, coupled with shared management philosophies, will reinforce JCL’s standing as a premier M&A advisory firm in the market.

Anticipated Closing and Future Prospects

The merger transaction is projected to close in the second or third quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approvals from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), along with other customary closing conditions. Both firms are optimistic about the potential of their unified strengths and look forward to a prosperous future as they embark on this new journey together.

For more information, stakeholders can connect through the contact channels provided on JEGI CLARITY and Leonis Partners’ respective websites.