Benjamin is available for hire
Hire BenjaminBenjamin 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.
Career Highlights
Director
AC Management Associates Ltd
Senior Consultant
Cairneagle Associates
Education Highlights
Master's Degree
London Business School
Bachelor's Degree
University of Bristol
Case Studies
Software Expertise
Other Expertise
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)
Education
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