The Deal Room: Unveiling the World of M&A with Peter Bell, Founder of Cardean Bell
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In this episode, we chat with Peter Bell, founder and CEO of Cardean Bell, a leading M&A boutique advisory firm. With 24 years at top investment banks like Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Lehman Europe, and Nomura, Peter has advised on over $100 billion in transactions across every industry sector. In 2016, he launched Cardean Bell to offer a more personalised approach to M&A and IPO advisory.

Join us as Peter shares his journey from global banking to running a boutique, the value Cardean Bell provides to clients, and why companies choose boutique firms over bulge bracket banks. 

He also offers career advice for aspiring investment bankers, including how to stand out as a young analyst and when to consider moving from a big bank to a boutique.

Whether you're eyeing a career in banking or just curious about the industry, this episode is packed with insights, stories, and practical tips from one of the industry’s most experienced leaders. 

Don’t miss it!

• Introductions (2:12)
• University experience (3:37)
• Peter's early career (5:02)
• Moving from junior to senior roles (7:32)
• Is it possible to fast-track a banking career? (9:20)
• Heading up the UK M&A team at Bank of America (12:36)
• Wanting to start your own firm (13:29)
• How is Cardean Bell unique? (18:05)
• The importance of accountancy skills (26:06)
• How Macro impacts deal making (29:29)
• Current state of play (32:36)
• The art of timing a deal (38:17)
• How AI will impact the industry (40:36)
• What makes a perfect analyst (46:07)
• Bulge bracket vs boutique route (47:46)
• Most memorable interview question (51:15)

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