CMD Global Partners Research
Advisory Approach
CMD Global Partners is a global, independent investment banking advisory firm founded in 2019 by former senior bankers from Lazard, Morgan Stanley, Salomon Brothers, and Deutsche Bank. The firm operates with a thesis-driven approach to M&A advisory: they believe that the best outcomes come from combining world-class investment banking pedigree with a boutique, unconflicted business model. Their sweet spot is serving publicly-traded and privately-owned companies, private equity firms, and SPAC management teams seeking leverage of their global relationships, depth of industry knowledge, and cross-border capabilities.
The firm has deliberately developed a highly collaborative culture and commits to clients that at least two of their most senior partners will be actively involved in every engagement. This approach ensures clients receive the best possible advice and has enabled the firm to attract top talent. Their transaction experience spans from $40-50 million assignments to deals valued at over $5 billion.
Sector Focus
CMD Global's M&A practice concentrates on several core industries where their senior bankers have deep operating and transactional expertise:
Manufacturing & Industrial: The firm has particular strength in automotive, aerospace & defense, precision machining, contract manufacturing, and industrial equipment. John Adams previously ran the Global Automotive Practice at Morgan Stanley and Lazard's Global Automotive Practice. The firm has completed numerous transactions in manufacturing, including recent deals like SyBridge Technologies' acquisition of Fast Radius assets and Detroit Manufacturing Systems' acquisition of Android Industries and Avancez.
Healthcare & MedTech: CMD Global has growing expertise in medical devices, pharmaceutical services, and healthcare technology. Recent deals include advising IMRIS (intraoperative MRI solutions) on its sale to Grovecourt Capital Partners, Tenon Medical on its acquisition of SiVantage, and Smithstown Light Engineering (medical device CMO) on its sale to Graham Partners. The firm also advised Network Partners, a provider of consulting services to medical device and pharmaceutical companies.
Technology, Media & Telecom (TMT): The firm's TMT practice is led by Kristin Allen (formerly Vice Chair at Credit Suisse's TMT group) and Alexandre Chenesseau (formerly at Evercore and Lazard). They have deep relationships across data center, fiber, and tower sectors, having advised companies including American Tower, SBA Communications, Crown Castle, AT&T, and IHS Towers. The TMT team also covers interactive media and consumer sectors.
Business Services: CMD Global advises on transactions across business services, including professional services, consulting, and B2B services. Examples include Network Partners (life sciences consulting) and Marshall Investigative Group (investigative services).
Capital Markets & Restructuring: The firm has a strong capital markets advisory practice led by Sachin Lulla (formerly at Stephens and Evercore), delivering customized debt and equity-based financing solutions. The restructuring practice includes seasoned professionals who have advised on major Chapter 11 cases including 24 Hour Fitness, Intelsat, FirstEnergy Solutions, and J.Crew.
Deal Track Record
CMD Global Partners has completed transactions across multiple continents and industries since its founding in 2019. Recent representative transactions include:
2025-2026 Transactions:
- Advised Norbec on its acquisition of Canadian Curtis, a leading manufacturer of walk-in cooler and freezer systems
- Advised bluu unit GmbH (Triton portfolio) on its acquisition of Tech Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, an Irish refrigeration specialist (January 2026)
- Advised TowerBrook Capital Partners on its investment in GMC Utilities, a leading Irish infrastructure engineering firm (2025)
- Advised Graham Partners on its acquisition of Smithstown Light Engineering, a medical device contract manufacturing organization (August 2025)
- Advised Tenon Medical (NASDAQ: TNON) on its acquisition of SiVantage, expanding its sacroiliac joint fusion capabilities (August 2025)
- Advised Detroit Manufacturing Systems on its acquisition of Android Industries and Avancez to form Voltava (March 2026)
- Advised Grovecourt Capital Partners on its acquisition of IMRIS Imaging, the global leader in intraoperative MRI solutions (February 2025)
Earlier Transactions:
- Advised SteriPack Group on its sale to Inflexion Private Equity (July 2022)
- Advised SyBridge Technologies on its acquisition of certain assets of Fast Radius (December 2022)
- Advised BPOC on its strategic growth investment in Network Partners (January 2022)
- Represented Electronic Caregiver in opening a $95 million Series A Preferred financing (June 2023)
- Managed Hercules Electric Vehicles' $20 million Series A investment round (March 2021)
- Advised Tyfon Culture Holdings on its business combination with Global Technology Acquisition Corp. I (May 2024)
The firm's Managing Directors bring significant deal experience from their previous firms, with Scott George having advised on more than 250 transactions during his 35-year career, and John Adams having completed 15 successful restructuring assignments and represented Icahn Enterprises in the $5.4 billion merger of Federal Mogul and Tenneco.
Process & Fee Structure
CMD Global runs institutional-quality sell-side processes with exhaustive buyer outreach. Their approach includes:
- At least two senior partners actively involved in every engagement
- Comprehensive buyer outreach to 200-400 targeted buyers per engagement
- Quality of earnings support and management presentation coaching
- Structured data room preparation
- Cross-border transaction capabilities through offices in Chicago, Dublin, Miami, and Hong Kong
The firm serves as exclusive advisor on M&A, capital raising, and restructuring assignments. They typically work on engagements with transaction values from $40-50 million minimum to over $5 billion for their largest transactions.
Buyer Network
CMD Global maintains relationships with 2,000+ active private equity firms and strategic acquirers globally. Their buyer network is particularly strong in:
Private Equity: The firm has closed deals with numerous PE firms including TowerBrook Capital Partners, Grovecourt Capital Partners, Graham Partners, Inflexion Private Equity, Triton (through bluu unit), Oaktree Capital Management, and BPOC. Their strong relationships in industrial PE, healthcare PE, and middle-market buyout funds enable effective buyer outreach.
Strategic Buyers: The firm has relationships with strategic acquirers across manufacturing, healthcare, and technology sectors. Recent transactions have involved Berry Global (NYSE: BERY) as acquirer.
Cross-Border Capabilities: With offices in Dublin, Hong Kong, Miami, and Chicago, plus affiliate presence throughout Europe and Asia, CMD Global is uniquely positioned to execute transatlantic and cross-border transactions. The firm has sourced and executed numerous cross-border deals worldwide through their network of similar-minded investment banking boutiques in Europe and Asia.
Competitive Positioning
CMD Global differentiates from other middle-market banks through several key factors:
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Pedigree: All founding partners and most senior bankers spent their careers at preeminent Wall Street firms including Lazard, Morgan Stanley, Salomon Brothers, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, and Credit Suisse.
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Senior Partner Involvement: Unlike many firms where junior bankers do much of the work, CMD commits that at least two senior partners will be actively involved in every engagement.
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Global Reach: With offices in Chicago, Dublin, Miami, and Hong Kong, plus a network of boutique partners throughout Europe and Asia, CMD offers genuine cross-border capabilities rare in the middle market.
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Unconflicted Model: As an independent advisory firm, CMD has no proprietary trading, lending, or other conflicts that could influence their advice.
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Sector Specialization: Deep industry expertise in manufacturing, healthcare, TMT, and business services, with many bankers having operating experience in their covered sectors.
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Restructuring & Capital Markets: In-house capabilities in financial restructuring and capital markets advisory provide comprehensive solutions for complex situations.
Not a Fit If
CMD Global typically declines:
- Transactions below $40-50 million in enterprise value
- Situations requiring conflicted advisory models
- Engagements where senior partner involvement cannot be guaranteed
- Purely domestic deals when their cross-border capabilities are not needed
Team
CMD Global's team averages over 30 years of Wall Street experience. Key team members include:
Founding Partners:
- John Adams: Formerly ran Lazard's Chicago Office, Global Private Equity, and Global Automotive Practice. Previously at Morgan Stanley for 13 years. 30+ years experience, 15 restructuring assignments.
- Scott George: Formerly SVP and Head of Corporate Development at Hillenbrand, and 35 years as senior banker at Salomon Brothers, Morgan Stanley, Bankers Trust, and Ernst & Young. Advised on 250+ transactions.
- Chris Salamasick: Formerly at Lazard's Global Automotive Group. Led transactions for Cooper-Standard, Dayco, Delphi, Exide Technologies, Federal-Mogul, and Tenneco.
- Conor Barry: Runs CMD's European practice from Dublin. Focus on Trans-Atlantic transactions and entrepreneur/family-owned businesses transitioning to PE/growth equity funding. Formerly at Deutsche Bank London and co-founder of an Irish private equity business.
Senior Managing Directors:
- Kristin Allen: Leads Telecom and Digital Infrastructure advisory. Formerly Vice Chair at Credit Suisse TMT, Co-Head of Digital Infrastructure at Greenhill & Co. and Solomon Partners. 30+ years experience.
- Alexandre Chenesseau: Advises on TMT and consumer sector cross-border transactions. Formerly Managing Director at Evercore and Lazard (Paris, Beijing, New York). $50+ billion in aggregate transaction experience.
- Bill Fox: Formerly COO of Lazard's Restructuring and Liability Management Group. Represents Welch Packaging and has led multiple restructuring transactions including 24 Hour Fitness and FirstEnergy Solutions.
- Sachin Lulla: Head of Capital Solutions and Capital Markets Advisory. Formerly Managing Director at Stephens and Evercore. Expertise in liability management, restructuring, and capital markets.
- Fernando Soriano: Head of Latin America advisory. Formerly Managing Director at Greenhill & Co. and Evercore. Extensive cross-border M&A experience in Latin America.
- Mark Bobek: Based in Hong Kong, covering Asia Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand. Former CFO at Tupperware Asia Pacific.
The firm has approximately 15-20 professionals across Chicago, New York, Dublin, Miami, and Hong Kong.
Geographic Coverage
Headquartered in Chicago, IL with offices in Dublin, Ireland; Miami, FL; and Hong Kong. Affiliate presence throughout the Americas, Europe, and APAC. Senior bankers live and work across the United States, Europe, and Asia, enabling true global coverage with local market knowledge.