Leading global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) has expanded its Transaction Advisory Group capabilities in Brazil with the addition of M&A tax and labor professionals Adriano José Ponciano and Emerson Santana, who join as a Managing Director and Senior Director, respectively. The appointment of Mr. Ponciano and Mr. Santana illustrates A&M’s continued commitment to provide clients with the in-country M&A tax and labor transaction experience required to manage local challenges and secure multi-faceted complex cross-border deals.
“Today, opportunities in Brazil exist alongside a unique business climate and a developing economy with highly variable financial controls,” said Fabio Pires, Managing Director and Practice Leader for A&M’s Latin American Transaction Advisory Group. “Adriano’s and Emerson’s M&A tax and labor expertise highly complements our existing financial and operational due diligence capabilities in Brazil, enabling us to deploy our fully integrated due diligence approach. Their immersion in the complexities of Brazilian tax and labor activities and business culture provides a strong foundation of knowledge from which to help clients navigate challenges and achieve their business goals.”
“Transactions in Brazil, and around the world, demand the highest level of service that clients trust A&M to deliver,” said Paul Aversano, Global Practice Leader of the A&M Transaction Advisory Group. “Adriano and Emerson are seasoned M&A tax and labor practitioners who will enhance our ability to partner with clients and best guide their M&A transactions from start to finish.”
For nearly 20 years, Ponciano has led buy-side and sell-side due diligence of M&A transactions in Brazil, primarily focusing on issues related to tax and labor matters and tax structuring. Prior to joining A&M, Ponciano was an M&A Tax Partner with KPMG where he served domestic and international private equity and corporations transacting in Brazil. He has advised clients across multiple industries, including infrastructure, telecommunication, automotive, agribusiness, chemical, education, retail, healthcare and the food industry. Additionally, he has counselled a number of prominent corporations making their first forays into the Brazilian marketplace.
Santana, formerly a Director of KPMG’s M&A Tax group, brings broad expertise in assisting companies with M&A transactions, including tax and labor due diligence, identification of tax and labor contingencies, tax structuring and post transaction tax integration, compliance, and planning. He has significant experience with both inbound and outbound investment, corporate reorganizations, import and export transactions and Central Bank regulations. Santana has worked with clients in industries, including telecommunications, manufacturing, chemicals, infrastructure, financial services and agribusiness.
Ernesto Perez, Global Practice Leader of A&M Taxand and the firm’s Transaction Advisory Tax practice, said, “Adriano’s and Emerson’s deep knowledge of the local tax and labor environment offers our clients a critical advantage in navigating the complexities of the Brazilian tax and labor system and circumventing the obstacles it can pose for deal-makers.”
Additionally, Vitor Garcia, Director, and Vitor Nascimento, Manager, have joined A&M in São Paulo from EY’s transaction advisory services practice. Ancuta Huzum, Manager, and Sergio Quinones, Senior Associate, have joined A&M’s Mexico City office from the Deloitte and EY transaction advisory services practices, respectively.
Privately held since 1983, A&M is a leading global professional services firm that delivers business performance improvement, turnaround management and advisory services to organizations seeking to transform operations, catapult growth and accelerate results through decisive action. Our senior professionals are experienced operators, world-class consultants and industry veterans who leverage the firm's restructuring heritage to help leaders turn change into a strategic business asset, manage risk and unlock value at every stage.