William Blair, the premier global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management, has hired Ben Riback joined the firm’s growing consumer and retail investment banking team. Riback joins as a managing director based in the Chicago office and will be a leader in the food and beverage and agribusiness sector.

“Ben is a talented and experienced banker, bringing a breadth of capabilities and senior-level advisory experience,” said Adam Filkin, managing director and head of the consumer and retail investment banking team. “We are excited to have him join the team. Ben’s long track record of successful food and beverage leadership will be a tremendous asset to our clients.”

With more than 17 years of industry experience, Riback joins William Blair after spending 10 years at BMO Capital Markets, where he was most recently a managing director. Riback was responsible for client coverage across the food and beverage landscape, leading mergers-and-acquisitions and equity and debt transactions across multiple verticals for public, private equity, and family-owned businesses.