Clairfield International Research
Advisory Approach
Clairfield International is a leading global midmarket M&A advisory firm founded in 2004 in Geneva by five experienced M&A partners. The firm's core thesis is that midmarket companies—particularly those pursuing cross-border transactions—deserve the same quality of advisory services typically reserved for large-cap corporations. With 500+ professionals across 34 countries, Clairfield brings together local market expertise with international execution capabilities, a combination that has made them one of the top-ranked independent advisory firms worldwide.
Clairfield's philosophy centers on what they call "ethical business for great outcomes," with a singular focus on client needs rather than transaction volume. They deploy senior, experienced advisors on every engagement, eschewing the junior-heavy model of bulge bracket banks. This approach has proven successful: in 2025 alone, Clairfield advised on 300+ transactions with cumulative deal value exceeding EUR 19 billion. Over the past five years, the firm has closed 1,000+ transactions worth EUR 56 billion in aggregate value, with approximately 80% involving cross-border elements.
Sector Focus
Clairfield organizes its practice around six core sector groups, pooling expertise to provide greater depth in client service:
Business Services: The firm advises on transactions across business services, including staffing, facilities management, logistics, and specialized B2B services. Their cross-border perspective is particularly valuable for services businesses expanding internationally.
Consumer Goods & Retail: Clairfield has deep experience in consumer products, retail, and e-commerce, with notable transactions including Migros's sale of Idhéa to GYMA and HomeToGo's EUR 250 million acquisition of Interhome. The team understands the operational and strategic drivers of consumer businesses across Europe and the Americas.
Healthcare: Healthcare is a key vertical, with experience in healthcare services, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. A landmark 2025 transaction was the EUR 719 million sale of Life Healthcare South Africa to Lantheus (NASDAQ: LNTH). The firm's global reach allows them to connect healthcare companies with international strategic buyers and private equity firms.
Industrials: Clairfield has substantial capabilities in industrials, including manufacturing (both discrete and process), construction, engineering, and distribution. Recent deals include Whale Tankers (UK) sold to Kaiser AG and Wako Group's acquisition of Aluzon to create a Benelux window and door platform.
Technology, Software & Digital: Technology is a major focus area, with expertise in SaaS, IT services, and digital transformation. Clairfield ranked #1 for technology deals in Refinitiv league tables and has executed numerous cross-border tech transactions, including French IT firm Solutec's sale to listed company Aubay and B4Finance's sale to RiskConcile.
Energy, Cleantech & Resources: The firm has been active in energy transition and cleantech since 2009, closing six deals in clean energy during a 12-month period. Recent transactions include the acquisition of EG Italia (Esso-branded fuel distribution network) by an Italian consortium for EUR 425 million and GIGA.GREEN's EUR 30 million revolving capex facility with Kommunalkredit Austria.
Deal Track Record
Clairfield maintains an exceptional track record of transaction execution across market cycles. From 15 deals valued at EUR 156 million in their founding year of 2004 to 196 deals totaling EUR 8 billion in 2023 and 300+ transactions worth EUR 19 billion+ in 2025, the firm has consistently ranked among the top financial advisors globally for small and midcap transactions.
Notable recent transactions include:
- Life Healthcare → Lantheus (2025): EUR 719 million sale of South African healthcare company to NASDAQ-listed acquirer
- EG Italia → Italian Consortium (2025): EUR 425 million acquisition of Esso-branded fuel distribution network, marking return to national ownership
- HomeToGo → Interhome (2025): EUR 250 million cross-border acquisition in Swiss travel market
- Saxdor Yachts → Malibu Boats (2026): Sale of Finnish premium dayboat manufacturer to US-based powerboat leader
- Whale Tankers → Kaiser AG: UK industrial manufacturer sold to international buyer
- Solutec → Aubay (2025): French IT firm sold to listed European technology company
- Idhéa → GYMA (2026): Migros subsidiary sold to French sauces group
- CurTec → Ampersand Capital: Dutch industrial packaging company sold to US private equity
- Molino Cañuelas Debt Restructuring (2025): Largest private-sector financial restructuring in Argentina's history, US$1.5 billion
The firm's cross-border expertise is a key differentiator—approximately 80% of transactions involve multiple jurisdictions. This global reach is particularly valuable for midmarket companies pursuing international exits or acquisitions.
Process & Fee Structure
Clairfield runs institutional-quality sell-side and buy-side processes tailored to midmarket companies. While specific fee structures are not publicly disclosed, the firm follows industry-standard midmarket practices:
- Engagement Type: Primarily sell-side M&A advisory, with significant buy-side and recapitalization work
- Process Approach: Comprehensive buyer outreach with international reach, structured data room preparation, management presentation coaching, and quality of earnings coordination where needed
- Typical Timeline: 6-12 months for sell-side engagements, depending on market conditions and transaction complexity
- Cross-Border Capability: 80% of engagements involve multiple countries, requiring coordination across Clairfield's global office network
- Minimum Engagement Size: The firm focuses on midmarket transactions, typically EUR 10 million to EUR 500 million in enterprise value
Beyond traditional M&A, Clairfield offers Debt & Capital Advisory (growth capital, restructuring, and financing solutions), Family Business Advisory (succession planning, generational transfers), and Valuations & Strategic Advisory (fairness opinions, strategic reviews).
Buyer Network
Clairfield's global footprint provides exceptional buyer network access across private equity, strategic acquirers, and family offices. With 500+ professionals across 34 countries and 20+ years of relationship building, the firm can connect sellers with relevant buyers worldwide.
The firm's transaction history shows strong relationships with:
- Private Equity Firms: Global mid-market PE firms, sector-specific funds, and regional buyers in Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific
- Strategic Buyers: Fortune 500 industrials, European multinational corporations, and international companies pursuing geographic expansion
- Family Offices: Multi-generational family offices and wealthy individuals acquiring businesses
- International Buyers: Particularly strong in cross-border transactions, with 80% of deals spanning multiple countries
Clairfield's league table rankings for small and midcap global M&A demonstrate consistent ability to connect clients with qualified buyers and close transactions at attractive valuations.
Competitive Positioning
Clairfield differentiates from other midmarket advisors through several key advantages:
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Global Reach with Local Expertise: 500+ professionals across 34 countries provide on-the-ground knowledge in every major market while maintaining coordinated execution. This is rare in the midmarket.
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Senior Engagement Model: Unlike bulge bracket banks that deploy junior staff, Clairfield puts senior partners and directors on every transaction, ensuring clients get experienced guidance throughout the process.
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Cross-Border Specialization: With 80% of transactions involving multiple jurisdictions, Clairfield has developed unmatched expertise in navigating regulatory, cultural, and operational complexities of international deals.
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Sector Depth: Six dedicated sector groups (Business Services, Consumer, Healthcare, Industrials, Technology, Energy) provide specialized industry knowledge rather than generalist coverage.
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20+ Year Track Record: Founded in 2004, Clairfield has operated through multiple market cycles, building institutional knowledge and relationships that newer firms cannot match.
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Full-Service Platform: Beyond M&A, Clairfield offers debt advisory, restructuring, valuation, and family business advisory, allowing them to support clients through various corporate finance needs.
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Training & Quality Assurance: The Clairfield Academy, established in 2017, ensures consistent service quality across the global partnership by training the next generation of advisors in Clairfield's methodologies.
Not a Fit If
Based on Clairfield's positioning and track record, the firm may not be ideal for:
- Sub-EUR 10 million transactions: The firm focuses on midmarket deals and may not be economical for very small transactions
- Domestic-only sellers: Sellers seeking only local buyers may not fully benefit from Clairfield's global network
- Asset sales: Clairfield focuses on going-concern businesses rather than asset liquidations
- Hostile situations: The firm's reputation-driven, relationship-based approach may not align with hostile transactions
- Limited process sellers: Clients wanting to run minimal buyer outreach may not align with Clairfield's comprehensive process philosophy
Team
Clairfield's leadership combines deep investment banking experience with entrepreneurial mindset:
Alexander Klemm, Executive Chairman: 30+ years investment banking experience, formerly Managing Director/CEO at Deutsche Bank/Morgan Grenfell, Lehman Brothers, UBS, JPMorgan Cazenove, and Hauck Aufhaeuser in London, New York, and Frankfurt. Holds MBA from Columbia Business School and PhD in Finance from Freie Universität Berlin.
Thierry Chetrit, Co-founder and Vice Chair: One of Clairfield's five founders, currently CEO of Clairfield France. Founded boutique M&A firm intuitucapital in 1998 (precursor to Clairfield France). Formerly Managing Director at BBDO/Omnicom Group, began career at PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Has founded and acquired companies across digital, marketing, education, and energy sectors.
Christian Saxenhammer, CEO Germany: Founder of Saxenhammer (Clairfield's German partner). 20+ years M&A and capital markets experience, formerly Managing Director of Special Situations Group at Lincoln International, and senior consultant at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants. Began career at Commerzbank London.
Miguel Ángel Arrigoni, CEO Argentina: 30+ years financial advisory experience, expert in M&A, restructuring, and structured financing. Pioneered Argentina's first financial trust in 1996 and led the country's largest foreign debt restructuring process. Also led Clairfield's advisory work on Molino Cañuelas's US$1.5 billion restructuring—the largest private-sector financial restructuring in Argentina's history.
The firm maintains a high ratio of senior partners to junior staff, with over 500 M&A and corporate finance advisors worldwide. This ensures experienced professionals are directly involved in all transactions rather than delegating to junior team members.
Geographic Coverage
Clairfield operates across 34 countries with offices in every major region:
Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK
Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, United States
Asia Pacific: Australia, China, India, Japan
Africa: South Africa, with sub-Saharan Africa coverage
Middle East: Israel
This global footprint allows Clairfield to serve clients on truly cross-border transactions, with local teams providing on-the-ground market intelligence while coordinating internationally through the partnership structure. Recent expansions include Finland, Spain, Germany, and China, strengthening sector expertise and local market coverage.
With headquarters in Europe and locations in every major region worldwide, Clairfield closes over 200 transactions annually, ranking as one of the top independent M&A advisors globally. The firm's 80% cross-border execution rate demonstrates the value of this international network—midmarket companies can access global buyer pools and strategic expertise typically reserved for large-cap transactions.