Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) announced the opening of a Stockholm office aligned with the firm’s global expansion strategy and in response to market demand for an independent professional services firm to meet recent pan-European regulatory requirements. Recognized transaction advisory and operations professionals Christer Wiberg, Taus Wolfsberg and Christer Johansson join A&M’s Stockholm office as Managing Directors, with Mr. Wiberg serving as Country Leader and Transaction Advisory Leader of A&M’s Nordic operations.
The appointments of Wiberg, Wolfsberg and Johansson, all formerly partners at KPMG, augment A&M’s comprehensive offerings through reinforcing its operational heritage, fortifying its connectivity across Europe and growing the Nordic region. Additionally, A&M has expanded its regional restructuring capabilities with Norway-based Senior Director Ole Kristian Sivertsen serving as a member of the Nordic Restructuring and Turnaround team.
A&M’s market share continues to expand with the firm’s European practices experiencing more than 30 percent growth over the past two years.
Antonio "Tony" Alvarez III, Managing Director and A&M’s European Practice lead, said, “The regulatory environment in the U.K., Europe and the Nordics is changing and becoming even more restrictive. New audit regulation and rotation rules are impacting the provision of non-audit services and generating greater conflicts in providing those services to clients. A&M’s platform is less restrictive. It provides an attractive model for companies demanding an independent alternative and the growing number of Big Four professionals across Europe seeking opportunities.”
Wiberg has extensive expertise advising clients on complex and international buy-side and sell-side due diligence projects as well as large initial public offering (IPO) processes. He has worked across multiple sectors including healthcare, consumer retail and industrial manufacturing. Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Wiberg was the leader of KPMG’s Advisory business in Sweden.
Wolfsberg has significant experience advising private equity clients and large corporates on integrated financial and operational buy-side and sell-side due diligence as well as public-to-private transactions, pre-sale review and restructuring. Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Wolfsberg was the Head of KPMG Deal Advisory in Sweden and has previously served as the leader of KPMG’s Private Equity Group in Sweden.
Johansson brings more than 15 years of operational due diligence, carve-out processes and integrations expertise to A&M. He has worked with leading private equity (PE) firms across the Nordics and Europe. Johansson has served in corporate operating roles at Atlas Copco and Alfa Laval working on integrations, production improvements, footprint optimizations and carve-outs. Additionally, he has led international operational projects including cost saving programs. Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Johansson led KPMG’s Nordic market operational due diligence and integrations / carve-out team.
Paul Aversano, Managing Director and Global Practice Leader of A&M’s Transaction Advisory Group, said, “A&M’s Nordics expansion aligns with the current landscape and demonstrates our commitment to providing a global integrated approach. The appointments of Christer Wiberg, Taus Wolfsberg and Christer Johansson, combined with our complete suite of services and in-depth cross-border transaction knowledge, better enable us to help Nordic-based PE firms and corporates maximize value.”
Wiberg said, “A&M’s comprehensive offerings and freedom from audit conflicts position the firm as the go-to partner for Nordic corporates and PE firms. A&M’s operational heritage is at the foundation of maximizing value through transaction advisory and is at the heart of our joining A&M. My colleagues and I look forward to working with A&M’s clients and expanding the firm’s Nordic presence.”