Simon Touchette, Finance Expert in Montreal, QC, Canada
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Simon Touchette

Verified Expert  in Finance

Bio

Simon has worked closely with executives and led $400+ million of M&A, debt, and equity transactions across the world. A veteran of public companies like CAE as well as investment banks such as Scotia Capital and Cafa, his expertise ranges from valuation and forecasting to negotiating and closing transactions. Simon's most recent role as a principal at a private equity fund has allowed him to lead buy-side investment transactions and provide strategic guidance to portfolio companies.

Career Highlights

Principal
Alfar Capital
Partner – M&A, Corporate Finance and Business Advisory
Cafa Corporate Finance
Analyst
CAE, Inc.

Education Highlights

Master's Degree
IE Business School
Bachelor's Degree
HEC Business School

Certification Highlights

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
CFA Institute

Work Experience

Principal

2019 - 2024
Alfar Capital
  • Launched a private equity fund from inception, establishing all policies, procedures (deal sourcing and execution, due diligence, portfolio management, fundraising, and more), and brand image.
  • Developed comprehensive financial tools and investment procedures to optimize portfolio performance (KPIs, work methodologies, capital structure optimization, board policies, and more).
  • Completed the acquisitions of multiple portfolio companies and the successful exit of a portfolio company, delivering an 8x return on investment (MOIC).
  • Cultivated and trained a high-performing team capable of independent operation and strategic decision-making.
Focus areas: Private Equity, Revenue & Expense Projections, Three-statement Modeling, M&A, Due Diligence, Investment Funds, P&L Forecasting, ROI, Fundraising, P&L Analysis, Budgeting, Strategy, Business Consulting, Business Models, Cash Flow, Microsoft Excel, Business Planning, Profit & Loss (P&L), Business Strategy

Associate – Investment Banking

2017 - 2017
Scotia Capital
  • Built complex financial models for LBO and acquisition transactions incorporating various growth scenarios, sensitivity analysis, and cash flow analysis.
  • Completed pitch books, market research, valuation models, comparable and precedent transaction analysis, and transaction structure analysis for North American large-cap companies.
  • Managed projects within tight deadlines by collaborating with business teams and colleagues.
  • Helped onboard and train analysts in the investment banking division.
Focus areas: Transaction Modeling, Financial Modeling, Forecasting, Valuation Multiples, Valuations, Valuation Modeling, M&A Modeling, Leveraged Buyout Modeling, Cash Flow Modeling, Revenue & Expense Projections, Three-statement Modeling, Investment Banking, M&A, Due Diligence, P&L Forecasting, ROI, P&L Analysis, Budgeting, Strategy, Business Consulting, Business Models, Cash Flow, Microsoft Excel, Business Planning, Profit & Loss (P&L), Business Strategy

University Lecturer

2016 - 2017
McGill University School of Continuing Studies
  • Taught a graduate-level M&A class at McGill University to 25 students with an objective to teach M&A from the point of view of a professional rather than an academic.
  • Built the lecture slides, midterm, final exam and research projects to distill the core tenents of M&A into the curriculum.
Focus areas: Transaction Modeling, Cash Flow Modeling, Leveraged Buyout Modeling, Valuation Modeling, Financial Modeling, M&A Modeling, Revenue Modeling, M&A

Partner – M&A, Corporate Finance and Business Advisory

2013 - 2017
Cafa Corporate Finance
  • Led the sale of two private companies to Newell Brands and AEA Investors at premium valuations with responsibilities that included managing the process, valuing the company, drafting a teaser and CIM, identifying and contacting 150+ buyers, negotiating the letters of intent, the share and asset purchase agreements, supervising due diligence and driving the transaction to a closing.
  • Completed the cross-border acquisition of Air Energy, a Boston-based mid-market distributor of compressed air products, overseeing the valuation, transaction financing, due diligence, negotiations, drafting of the shareholder agreement and the closing of the transaction.
  • Raised seed capital for Wirk’n, an employment matching mobile application, by preparing the marketing materials, contacting potential investors and assisting in the closing.
  • Acted as an intermediary between lenders and a borrower for the monthly reporting and forecasting needs for a leveraged company helping to restructure the company's debt to enhance cash flow and profitability.
  • Prepared company valuations for capital restructurings, estate planning, and financial planning purposes.
  • Structured M&A transactions, debt and equity financing, capital restructurings, operating models, budgets and project finance models for clients across industries and of differing size.
Focus areas: Cash Flow Modeling, Leveraged Buyout Modeling, Transaction Modeling, Financial Modeling, Valuation Modeling, M&A Modeling, Forecasting, Valuation Analysis, Creative Financing, Equity Financing, Business Advisory, Corporate Finance, Cross-border M&A, M&A (Buy-side), M&A (Sell-side), Revenue & Expense Projections, Three-statement Modeling, Investment Banking, M&A, Due Diligence, P&L Forecasting, ROI, Fundraising, P&L Analysis, Budgeting, Strategy, Business Consulting, Business Models, Cash Flow, Microsoft Excel, Business Planning, Profit & Loss (P&L), Business Strategy

Analyst

2010 - 2011
CAE, Inc.
  • Structured and executed joint ventures, capital investments and project financing transactions for simulation training centers in the commercial airline, private aviation, mining, and healthcare sectors. The analysis included financial modeling, market research, cost analysis, cash flow forecasting, leverage analysis and ensuring conformity to accounting standards.
  • Participated in the closing due diligence and direct client negotiations with senior management in Asia, Europe, and North America.
  • Worked on multiple projects across business functions including executives, business development teams, accounting and finance departments as well as third-party advisors both locally and internationally.
Focus areas: Leveraged Buyout Modeling, Cash Flow Modeling, Transaction Modeling, Valuation Modeling, Financial Modeling, Forecasting, Valuation Analysis, Finance Structures, DCF Valuation, Valuation, Market Research, Project Evaluation, Project Finance, M&A Modeling, Revenue & Expense Projections, Three-statement Modeling, Due Diligence, P&L Forecasting, ROI, P&L Analysis, Budgeting

Analyst

2009 - 2010
EDC – Export Development Canada
  • Performed public and private fundamental credit risk analysis and due diligence as a member of the risk assessment and portfolio management team.
  • Managed a portfolio of credit insurance exposure of CAD 1.5 billion in the light manufacturing and information and communication technology industries.
  • Developed a financial model linked to Capital IQ that enhanced productivity for 100+ employees.
Focus areas: Investment Portfolio Management, Financial Risk Assessment, Revenue & Expense Projections, Three-statement Modeling, Due Diligence, P&L Forecasting, ROI, P&L Analysis, Budgeting

Investment Specialist

2007 - 2008
Royal Bank of Canada
  • Delivered mutual fund investment advice and asset allocation for client portfolios.
  • Provided financial advice for various types of clients and their different needs.
  • Reviewed investment policy statements,.
Focus areas: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
2012 - 2012

Master's Degree in Advanced Finance

IE Business School - Madrid, Spain

2003 - 2007

Bachelor's Degree in Finance

HEC Business School - Montréal, Canada

AUGUST 2009 - JULY 2018

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

CFA Institute

JULY 2009 - PRESENT

Financial Risk Manager (FRM)

Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP)

Finance

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Forecasting, Financial Modeling, Transaction Modeling, M&A, Revenue Modeling, Cash Flow Modeling, Leveraged Buyout Modeling, M&A Modeling, Valuation Modeling, Valuations, Valuation Multiples, M&A (Sell-side), M&A (Buy-side), Cross-border M&A, Corporate Finance, Business Advisory, Creative Financing, Valuation Analysis, Project Finance, Project Evaluation, Market Research, Valuation, DCF Valuation, Finance Structures, Credit Risk, Management Buyout Finance, Private Equity, Revenue & Expense Projections, Three-statement Modeling, Due Diligence, P&L Forecasting, ROI, Fundraising, Budgeting, Cash Flow, Profit & Loss (P&L), Equity Financing, Financial Risk Assessment, Investment Portfolio Management

Output Software

Excel 2016, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook

Data & Analysis Software

Capital IQ, FactSet, Bloomberg

Industry Expertise

Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM), Retail & Wholesale, Aerospace & Defense

Geographic Expertise

Canada, United States, Latin America (LATAM), Europe, Asia, Middle East

Other

Letters of Intent, Teasers, S&P Capital IQ, Investment Banking, Investment Funds, P&L Analysis, Strategy, Business Consulting, Business Models, Business Planning, Business Strategy, Share Purchase Agreements, Asset Purchase Agreements, PDF, Microsoft 365, Manufacturing, Mobile Apps

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