Close Brothers Corporate Finance, one of Europe's largest independent financial advisers to mid-sized companies, today announces that it has entered into a strategic alliance with Harris Williams & Co., a leading North American independent investment bank specialising in mergers and acquisitions ("M&A") in the mid-market.

With offices in Richmond, Boston and San Francisco, Harris Williams currently employs 60 staff. Sample clients include: General Electric Company; International Paper Company; eBay, Inc.; Schering-Plough Corporation; The Carlyle Group; and Citigroup Venture Capital.

This transatlantic alliance will enable both firms to leverage their respective M&A capabilities to service mid-sized companies and private equity firms in cross border transactions.

Commenting on today's announcement, Richard Grainger, Chief Executive of Close Brothers Corporate Finance, said:
"Harris Williams is an excellent firm with a reputation for high quality independent advice. We already have a strong European presence and our partnership with Harris Williams will extend our reach to both the East and West Coasts of the USA. We are looking forward to working with Harris Williams on joint M&A mandates.

Despite the gloom and doom in the market, we are seeing a huge amount of activity in the mid-market. This alliance represents a unique proposition to mid-sized clients who have traditionally had to choose between specialised local boutiques or bulge-bracket banks, both of whom are typically less oriented to the mid-sized company."

Hiter Harris, Managing Director and co-founder of Harris Williams & Co., said:
"We are very excited about the opportunities presented by our strategic alliance with Close Brothers. The European reach of Close Brothers, and their similar commitment to provide mid-market companies with independent advice and flawless transaction execution, make them the ideal partner. We believe this strategic alliance will enable us to offer our clients global M&A capabilities unrivalled by any of our competitors."

For more information please contact:
Close Brothers Corporate Finance Limited (+44) (0)20 7655 3100
Richard Grainger, Chief Executive (+44) (0)20 7655 3173
Stephen Aulsebrook, Co Chairman (+44) (0)20 7655 3141

Harris Williams & Co. (+1) 804 648 0072
H. Hiter Harris III, Managing Director
Christopher H. Williams, Managing Director
R. Marshall Merriman Jr., Managing Director

Grandfield (+44) (0)20 7417 4170
Charles Cook
Victoria Morris
Gareth Penn