
Brendan is available for hire
Hire BrendanBrendan Murphy, CFA
Verified Expert in Finance
Finance Expert
Location
London, United Kingdom
Toptal Member Since
January 12, 2021
Brendan is a versatile finance specialist—having held both senior corporate finance and investment professional roles—with a deal portfolio exceeding £600 million. During his career, he has worked for the largest bank in Africa as well as private market investors and has accumulated experience in the technology, consumer, and real estate sectors. Brendan freelances to leverage his experience in financial modeling, due diligence, market research, financial analysis, and fundraising.
Career Highlights
Consultant
Private
Senior Investment Analyst
AltaOne Capital
Interim CFO
Standard Bank Group
Education Highlights
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
London Business School
Certification Highlights
CFA
CFA Institute
Case Studies
Industry Expertise
Software Expertise
Other Expertise
Work Experience
Consultant
2020 - PRESENT
Private
- Advised a European direct-to-consumer startup on their £5 million Series A financing.
- Conducted market research and developed financial models for an investor looking to enter the UK's early-years education sector.
- Coordinated and sourced investors for the $4.5 million growth equity round for a leading telehealth company based in Australasia.
- Produced the pitch deck and financial model for the seed fundraising of a sustainability-focused asset management platform.
- Developed a financial model for the vetting of solar PV projects by a renewable energy construction company interested in providing equity financing for its projects.
- Advised and produced investor documents for a sustainability consultant marketplace and expert network on their seed fundraising.
- Advised and produced investor documents for a car subscription startup on their Series A funding round.
- Built the financial model for a startup pension business in the UK.
- Developed an integrated financial model for a startup in the UK care sector and advised the founder on fundraising strategy and investor materials.
- Mentored founder of early-stage Hospitality Tech startup on fundraising and go-to-market strategy.
Focus areas: Venture Capital, Technology, Revenue & Expense Projections, Due Diligence, Financial Analysis, Digital Health, Finance Strategy, Healthcare, Capital Raising, Fundraising Consultant, Startup Funding, Startups, Alternative Investments, Business Advisory, Business Analysis, Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Financial Advisory, Business Planning, For-profit Education, K-12 Education, Direct to Consumer (D2C), Renewable Energy, Early-stage Venture Capital, Early-stage Funding, Early-stage Startups, Market Research, Financial Modeling, Fundraising, eCommerce, eCommerce Platforms, Product-market Fit, Business Strategy, Agriculture, B2C, Acquisitions, M&A (Buy-side), Financing, Pitch Decks, Business Plan Consulting, Investments, Excel 2016, Tableau, Market Sizing, Strategic Planning, Three-statement Modeling, Business Models, Cross-border M&A, Pitch Deck Consultant, Project Finance, Clean Energy, Investor Presentations, Seed Fundraising, Due Diligence Consultant, Profitability Analysis, Information Technology, TMT, On-demand Services, Food & Beverage, Exit Strategy, High-tech Startups, Freelancing, Family Office, Trading, M&A Modeling, Shareholders' Agreement (JVA), Investment Strategy, Term Sheet Advisory, Deal Review, Deal Structuring, M&A Earn-out Agreements, Go-to-market Strategy, Fintech Consultant, Go-to-market Plans, Fintech, Online Payments, Cash Flow, Cash Flow Forecasting, Forecasting, Cap Tables, DCF Modeling, Scenario Analysis, Investment Analysis, Private Equity Secondaries, Private Placements, Growth Equity, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Consumer Banking, Neobanks, Financial Writer, Fundraising Strategy, Stock Trading, Stock Price Analysis, Investor Reporting, Public Companies
Cap Table Advisor
2023 - 2023
Spherene AG
- Rebuilt the company's financial model to prepare for its Series A fundraising.
- Advised the CEO on fundraising strategy and how best to clean up the cap table.
- Assisted another Toptal talent with the design of the pricing model.
Focus areas: Venture Capital, Decision Support, Cap Tables, Valuation, Switzerland, Structuring, Series A, Startups, Fundraising Strategy, Investor Reporting
Fundraising and Financial Modeling Expert
2022 - 2022
Minot Point Advisors LLC
- Built an integrated financial model for a UK-based community-driven banking startup.
- Developed an integrated model for a global payments platform.
- Advised the client on market sizing and fundraising strategy.
Focus areas: Financial Modeling, Fundraising, Three-statement Modeling, Fintech, Investment Analysis, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Consumer Banking, Neobanks, Financial Writer, Venture Capital, Fundraising Strategy, Investor Reporting
Senior Investment Analyst
2019 - 2020
AltaOne Capital
- Performed deep-dive market research; engaged with industry experts; screened public companies; and analyzed potential targets.
- Built detailed financial statement, operating, valuation, and LBO models; conducted management interviews; carried out competitor benchmarking; and verified major contracts and IP documents.
- Pitched leveraged buyout transactions to co-investors and banks and assisted with seller negotiations and closing process.
- Led the analysis of the acquisition of Silae, a French Payroll SaaS publisher, acquired with Silver Lake in July 2020.
- Monitored the investment in Cegid Group, a French cloud-based business management software provider originally acquired for £540 million in 2016.
Focus areas: Venture Capital, Technology, Revenue & Expense Projections, Asset Management, Due Diligence, Capital Raising, Three-statement Modeling, Negotiation, M&A (Buy-side), Market Research, Financial Analysis, Financial Modeling, Valuation, Leveraged Buyout (LBO), Leveraged Buyout Modeling, SMB Software, Payroll & Benefits, Tax Software, Accounting Software, Enterprise SaaS, SaaS, Software, Investing, Growth, Private Equity, Fashion, Product-market Fit, Business Strategy, Startups, B2C, Acquisitions, Finance Strategy, Financing, Pitch Decks, Business Plan Consulting, Investments, Excel 2016, Tableau, Market Sizing, Strategic Planning, Business Models, Cross-border M&A, Investor Presentations, Due Diligence Consultant, Profitability Analysis, Information Technology, TMT, Exit Strategy, High-tech Startups, Family Office, Trading, M&A Modeling, Shareholders' Agreement (JVA), Investment Strategy, Term Sheet Advisory, Deal Review, Deal Structuring, M&A Earn-out Agreements, Cash Flow, Cash Flow Forecasting, Forecasting, DCF Modeling, Scenario Analysis, Investment Analysis, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Equity Research, Research, Stock Analysis, Stock Market, Equity Markets, Financial Writer, Stock Trading, Stock Price Analysis, Investor Reporting, Public Companies
Investor
2019 - 2019
Concentric
- Evaluated pitches, met with founders, and conducted due diligence on potential investments.
- Generated unique insights through research deep dives into various technology sectors and verticals.
- Involved in key transactions including Wheely (£12 million Series B), Airsorted (£1.3 million Series A), and DueDil (£1 million Series C).
- Supported portfolio companies with competitor analysis, GTM strategy development, and exit opportunity analysis.
Focus areas: Technology, Revenue & Expense Projections, Asset Management, Due Diligence, Financial Analysis, Financial Modeling, Ride-hailing, Startup Accelerators, Series B, Series A, Seed Fundraising, Fintech, Blockchain, Direct to Consumer (D2C), Insurance Technology (Insurtech), Consumer Marketplaces, Marketplaces, Venture Capital, Early-stage Venture Capital, Early-stage Startups, eCommerce, eCommerce Platforms, SaaS, Product-market Fit, Business Strategy, Startups, B2C, Acquisitions, M&A (Buy-side), Finance Strategy, Financing, Pitch Decks, Business Plan Consulting, Investments, Excel 2016, Market Sizing, Strategic Planning, Three-statement Modeling, Business Models, Cross-border M&A, Investor Presentations, Due Diligence Consultant, Profitability Analysis, Information Technology, TMT, On-demand Services, Food & Beverage, Exit Strategy, High-tech Startups, Family Office, Trading, Shareholders' Agreement (JVA), Investment Strategy, Term Sheet Advisory, Deal Review, Deal Structuring, Latin America (LATAM), Go-to-market Strategy, Fintech Consultant, Go-to-market Plans, Cash Flow, Cash Flow Forecasting, Forecasting, Travel, Tourism, Cap Tables, DCF Modeling, Scenario Analysis, Investment Analysis, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Consumer Banking, Neobanks, Financial Writer, Stock Trading, Stock Price Analysis, Public Companies
Portfolio Manager
2017 - 2018
Standard Bank Group
- Managed 99 multi-asset portfolios consisting of individual stocks, equity and bond funds, and cash on a discretionary basis for family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and small pension funds.
- Generated new business growth of 27.2% from February 2017 to February 2018.
- Delivered equity alpha of 0.8% per annum as a member of the investment committee.
Focus areas: Technology, Revenue & Expense Projections, Asset Management, Financial Modeling, Healthcare, Capital Raising, Wealth Management, Taxation, Client Management, Pitch Presentations, New Business Development, Stock Analysis, Portfolio Management, Equity Investment, Financial Analysis, eCommerce, Fashion, eCommerce Platforms, SaaS, B2C, Acquisitions, M&A (Buy-side), Finance Strategy, Financing, Investments, Excel 2016, Market Sizing, Three-statement Modeling, Business Models, Cross-border M&A, Investor Presentations, Due Diligence Consultant, Profitability Analysis, Information Technology, Food & Beverage, Family Office, Trading, M&A Modeling, Investment Strategy, Deal Review, Fintech Consultant, Travel, Tourism, DCF Modeling, Scenario Analysis, Investment Analysis, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Portfolio Analysis, Equity Research, Portfolios, Research, Stock Market, Equity Markets, Financial Writer, Stock Trading, Stock Price Analysis, Investor Reporting, Public Companies
Research Analyst
2015 - 2016
Standard Bank Group
- Produced stock selection alpha for clients in the following sectors of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange: FMCG, +7.0% p.a.; Telecommunications, +12.3% p.a.; and Industrials, +5.9% p.a.
- Evaluated investment opportunities using proprietary industry and company analysis, information gathered from meetings with company management, industry experts, sell-side brokers, as well as my own valuations.
- Built detailed forecast, financial statement, and valuation models (price and value multiples, sum-of-the-parts, and DCF valuation) for the stocks in the above sectors.
Focus areas: Technology, Revenue & Expense Projections, Asset Management, Due Diligence, Primary Research, Investment Summaries, DCF Valuation, Industrials, Telecommunications, FMCG, Market Research, Company Research, Financial Modeling, Valuation, Stock Analysis, Financial Analysis, Equity Investment, eCommerce, Fashion, eCommerce Platforms, SaaS, Agriculture, B2C, Acquisitions, Finance Strategy, Financing, Investments, Excel 2016, Market Sizing, Three-statement Modeling, Business Models, Cross-border M&A, Investor Presentations, Due Diligence Consultant, Profitability Analysis, Information Technology, TMT, Food & Beverage, Trading, M&A Modeling, Deal Review, Fintech Consultant, Cash Flow, Cash Flow Forecasting, Forecasting, Travel, Tourism, DCF Modeling, Scenario Analysis, Investment Analysis, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Portfolio Analysis, Equity Research, Research, Stock Market, Equity Markets, Financial Writer, Stock Trading, Public Companies
Interim CFO
2015 - 2015
Standard Bank Group
- Prepared and presented monthly financials, developed and monitored budgets, and submitted tax returns.
- Drafted balance sheet substantiation policy documents and implemented foreign exchange accounting procedures, which released an $18 million negative reserve.
- Improved internal processes and conducted training on finance software and general finance topics.
Focus areas: Revenue & Expense Projections, Financial Analysis, Financial Modeling, Finance Strategy, Interim CFO, Foreign Exchange (FX) Hedging, Accounting, Training & Training Content Development, Training, Accounting Policy, Taxation, Tax Returns, Budgeting, Management Accounting, Corporate Finance, Business Strategy, Financing, Business Plan Consulting, Excel 2016, Business Models, Investor Presentations, Profitability Analysis, CFO, Trading, Cash Flow, Cash Flow Forecasting, Forecasting, DCF Modeling, Stock Trading, Stock Price Analysis, Investor Reporting, Public Companies
Accountant
2014 - 2015
Standard Bank Group
- Controlled daily profit and loss reporting, prepared annual financial statements, and submitted tax returns.
- Managed the group financial reporting and budgeting processes for operations in DRC, Lesotho, Mauritius, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe.
- Evaluated prospective property finance deals based on company credit evaluations and cash flow serviceability models.
Focus areas: Revenue & Expense Projections, Financial Analysis, Financial Modeling, Finance Strategy, Budgeting, Real Estate, Credit Evaluation, Business Intelligence (BI), Management Information, Tax Returns, Financial Statements, Auditing, Taxation, Accounting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financing, Business Plan Consulting, Excel 2016, Business Models, Investor Presentations, Profitability Analysis, Trading, Cash Flow, Cash Flow Forecasting, Forecasting, Stock Trading, Stock Price Analysis, Public Companies
Education
2018 - 2020
Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance
London Business School - London, England
2013 - 2013
Master's Degree in Accounting
University of Cape Town - Cape Town, South Africa
2009 - 2012
Bachelor's Degree in Finance
University of Cape Town - Cape Town, South Africa
Certifications
AUGUST 2020 - PRESENT
CFA
CFA Institute
DECEMBER 2016 - PRESENT
Chartered Accountant
South African Institute of Chartered Accountants