William Blair announced the addition of Derek Smith as managing director to the firm’s Financial Services practice in Chicago. He will focus on merger-and-acquisition and capital-raising transactions for public and private companies in the insurance industry.  

“I’m excited to welcome Derek to our Financial Services team, deepening our bench of committed sector professionals,” said Britt Trukenbrod, managing director and head of Tech Enabled Services at William Blair. “Derek’s distinct combination of investment banking and operating experience across the insurance industry will complement our existing leading capabilities and our ability to continue to deliver successful outcomes for our clients.”  

Derek brings nearly two decades of insurance expertise to William Blair across the full range of investment banking advisory and capital raising services. Before joining William Blair, Derek was a managing director in the insurance investment banking group at Waller Helms Advisors. He also previously worked at CNA Insurance, Macquarie Capital, and General Electric. Derek graduated from the University of Notre Dame and earned his M.B.A. from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.  

“I am honored to join this talented group of bankers and partner with the William Blair team to grow our financial services franchise,” Smith said. “William Blair has an incredible platform and unparalleled client roster, and I look forward to contributing to the firm’s continued success.”   

Earlier this year, William Blair grew its Private Capital Advisory investment banking group with the additions of managing director Daniel Budde in Boston, managing director Tom Lewis in London, and director Silke Wood in Zurich.