Arma Partners significantly expands its Data, EdTech & Media practice, hiring Laura Maddison as Partner
Arma Partners, the pre-eminent independent financial advisory firm focused on companies, investors and entrepreneurs active in the global Digital Economy, announced today that it has hired Laura Maddison as a Partner, focusing on the Data & Information Services, Education Technology and Media sectors (“DEM”), based out of London.
With deep domain expertise and a broad network of relationships, Laura has over 20 years’ experience across all aspects of mergers & acquisitions and financial advisory, guiding entrepreneurs, private equity investors and corporates on deals across the digital economy landscape.
Laura will be responsible for scaling Arma’s DEM practice and establishing a leadership position within the market. Laura will partner with Eric Lawson-Smith and leverage his extensive relationship network and sector knowledge.
This appointment builds on the recent strengthening of Arma’s DEM practice, in particular through the hire of Joe Donnelly as a Director, who contributes over 11 years of relevant M&A experience across Data, EdTech & Media and will work alongside Luke Mortimer, Director and Head of Financial Sponsors, who will also continue to cover Data.
Paul-Noël Guély, Founder and Managing Partner of Arma Partners, said:
“My partners and I are delighted to welcome Laura on board, and we look forward to establishing a position of leadership in our DEM practice, comparable to that which we already enjoy in most sectors of the Digital Economy. Laura is a proven builder, leader and trusted advisor with deep sub-sector expertise. We couldn’t be happier to welcome her in our midst.”
Laura Maddison commented:
“I’m honoured to be joining the Arma platform and extremely excited to lead the scaling of our practice in the Data, EdTech & Media sectors. We have a clear vision to establish a market leading position that delivers premium outcomes for our clients and is underpinned by deep domain expertise, exceptional client service and execution excellence. I can’t wait to get started.”
Eric Lawson-Smith commented:
“I’m delighted to be welcoming Laura to the Arma platform and look forward to working together to build and scale our business. Our enhanced practice recognises the importance and ubiquity of data within the Digital Economy; we expect to see further collaboration on transactions with Arma’s other vertical teams, especially with software, as this convergence continues.”
Paul added:
“Arma is on track for another record financial year, demonstrating significant market share gains. Recently, Arma advised EQT on its acquisition of AMCS, team.blue on the significant minority investment by CPP Investments and Sofina, Aareon on its recapitalisation by TPG and CDPQ, IFS on its public offer for Copperleaf, Harvest on its acquisition by TA Associates and Montagu, and Apax on its acquisition of Zellis and the subsequent acquisition of Benify.”
“These exceptional results demonstrate the premium placed by our clients on deep domain expertise, unbiased advice and superior deal execution. Laura joins us at a time of exceptionally strong momentum in our firm and she will help Arma scale new heights.”
Previously, Laura was a Managing Director in the Technology & Services team at Raymond James, which she joined in 2017 as one of the founding members of the London Investment Banking team. Laura holds a BA (Hons) from the University of Nottingham, a Post. Grad. from the University of Oxford and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.
Contact details: Laura Maddison lmaddison@armapartners.com