Benjamin Catling, Finance Expert in London, United Kingdom
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Benjamin Catling

Verified Expert  in Finance

Finance Expert

Location
London, United Kingdom
Toptal Member Since
May 10, 2022

Ben is an investment professional with extensive experience in corporate finance and strategy. For over 11 years, he worked with tier-1 private equity clients like Blackstone, BC Partners, Carlyle, and Barings. As an M&A professional, he also advised companies of various sectors and sizes on over £5 billion in successful transactions. Ben’s passion for freelancing allows him to add value to many clients, from startup fundraising to large multinational leveraged buyouts.

Market SegmentationMergers & Acquisitions (M&A)Financial ModelingRevenue & Expense ProjectionsValuationMarket ResearchFundraisingFinancial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)Startup FundingVenture Capital

Career Highlights

Director
AC Management Associates Ltd
Corporate Finance Manager
Sciowa
Senior Consultant
Cairneagle Associates

Education Highlights

Master's Degree
London Business School
Bachelor's Degree
University of Bristol

Case Studies

Work Experience

Director

2015 - PRESENT
AC Management Associates Ltd
  • Led the sell-side team during the due diligence of a multi-billion dollar private equity (PE) backed business services company. Managed internal stakeholders and advisors across multiple time zones to deliver an efficient due diligence process.
  • Drove two bolt-on acquisitions for a PE-backed European foam manufacturer. Managed the M&A process, coordinating advisors and stakeholders. Developed forecast, valuation, synergy, and integration models. Led day-to-day communications with targets.
  • Fundraised series A for sustainability startup, raising over £3 million in equity from VCs, Angel syndicates, and crowdfunding. This Seedrs campaign was in the top five performing B2B campaigns of all time.
  • Developed the UK strategy for a global, publicly listed childcare provider when imminent regulatory changes were due to negatively affect profitability. The resulting strategy led to a 5% increase in profitability and continued growth.
Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Fundraising, Strategy, Finance, Leadership, Venture Capital, Early-stage Venture Capital, Pitch Decks, Startup Funding, Financial Modeling, Revenue & Expense Projections, Business Models, Forecasting, Business Planning, Valuation, Market Research, Market Segmentation, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

Corporate Finance Manager

2015 - 2019
Sciowa
  • Led a 2-year European M&A program for Hitachi Capital. Accounted for country strategy, target identification, deal origination, project managing due diligence advisors, valuation, management remuneration, and post-merger integration plans.
  • Provided support on vehicle leasing transactions in the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Poland, and Ireland.
  • Advised Carlyle in the acquisition of a leading UK private car hire business.
Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Strategy, Finance, Leadership, Fundraising, Pitch Decks, Financial Modeling, Revenue & Expense Projections, Business Models, Forecasting, Valuation, Market Research, Market Segmentation, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

Senior Associate

2014 - 2015
C&C Alpha Group
  • Led the due diligence and negotiation of aviation education, utilities, and healthcare investments in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
  • Advised the aviation school group in the portfolio, driving multiple growths and cost-saving initiatives across the Gulf and Southeast Asia.
  • Held the due diligence and investment proposal for an acquisition opportunity in Portugal and led the promotion of facility in the Philippines to attract investment from third-party.
  • Carried out the due diligence and investment proposal to acquire desalination opportunity in the Middle East.
Focus areas: Growth Equity, Strategy, Finance, Leadership, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial Modeling, Revenue & Expense Projections, Business Models, Forecasting, Education, Business Planning, Valuation, Market Research, Market Segmentation, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

Senior Consultant

2010 - 2014
Cairneagle Associates
  • Advised Daily Mail Group across multiple initiatives, including the value-based management (VBM) strategy review, to optimize their portfolio of businesses leading to an investment strategy by division for optimal future growth and performance.
  • Raised £5 billion in debt to acquire the UK’s largest motor finance company.
  • Gathered provisional £2.5 billion in debt finance and a further £400 million in sponsor finance for a leading UK vehicle leasing business.
  • Led multiple teams on the international growth strategy for a global education content publisher.
Focus areas: Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Leadership, Pitch Decks, Financial Modeling, Revenue & Expense Projections, Business Models, Forecasting, Education, Business Planning, Valuation, Market Research, Market Segmentation, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
2020 - 2021

Diploma in Entrepreneurship – Venture Finance

University of Oxford - Oxford, UK

2009 - 2010

Master's Degree in Business Management

London Business School - London, UK

2006 - 2009

Bachelor's Degree in Neuroscience

University of Bristol - Bristol, UK

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