Clairfield International is pleased to announce that Althaus Group, founded in Moscow in 2008 as an independent financial advisory firm for midcap companies, has joined Clairfield as its exclusive partner for Russia.

Althaus (www.althausgroup.ru) provides a full scope of financial services for banks, investment funds, and major industrial companies. Services include M&A transaction support, fundraising, business strategy development, financial consulting, and accounting, tax, and legal services. The firm has been recognized by numerous awards. The Althaus team consists of more than 80 professionals with international qualifications and advisory experience.

Althaus Group has advised clients in industries such as IT, retail, banking, pharmaceuticals, engineering, mining, oil and gas, and utilities, including industry leaders such as Gas, Medsi, Systematics, Rostelecom, Basic Element (Bazel), and the largest financial institutions. Recent transactions include due diligence studies for a broadband provider, and a tourism company; valuations for an insurance brokerage, a cosmetics manufacturer, and a waste management company; and advising the sales of an IT company, a logistics operator, and an airline.

Despite the political situation and consequent declining M&A levels, Russia continues to be a key market for the energy, industrial, and technology sectors. Industrials and chemicals accounted for 10% of all Russian M&A announced in 2013 and this sector continues to be attractive for Asian investors, particularly from Japan and South Korea. China is also emerging as an important partner.

“Recent events have made clear the importance of the global community to the Russian economy, and well-run midcap companies will be key to lift Russia out of recession,” says Andrey Tsaruk, managing partner of Althaus. “It is crucial to Althaus to remain outward-looking and to do so by partnering with the top midmarket firm Clairfield International. Advisory that is truly global in nature will be critical in coming times.”

“Clairfield enters this difficult market with the aim of providing much needed local support to global clients. Doing business in Russia is extremely complicated and it is of utmost importance to have an advisor that knows how business is done. It is more pressing than ever to understand the options in this market,” says Brian O’Hare, chairman of Clairfield International. “In uncertain times, sage counsel from experienced advisors in the local market is of vital importance. We are extremely pleased to have partnered with a firm that is as well-connected, international in outlook, and understanding of the bigger picture as Althaus Group.”

ABOUT CLAIRFIELD INTERNATIONAL
Clairfield International (www.clairfield.com) is a leading international equity partnership providing corporate finance and M&A advisory services to clients ranging from family businesses to large multinational corporations and private equity funds. Clairfield International has over 400 professionals at 35 offices throughout Europe, the Americas, and Asia Pacific. In 2013, Clairfield International closed 85 M&A transactions worth over USD 3.6 billion.