Chapter-In-Formation: ACG Holland Launch Expands the ACG Frontier

ACG laid the groundwork for its fourth chapter in Europe on March 24, 2005, with the inaugural meeting of ACG Holland. The luncheon took place in Zeist, 30 miles southwest of Amsterdam, at the offices of Van Lanschot Bankiers, a prestigious banking firm whose senior executive Aad Smits is one of three co-founders of the latest chapter-in-formation. Important additional support from Hans van Ierland, Managing Partner at the well-regarded M&A advisory firm Holland Corporate Finance, and Eddie Meijer, a board member of Holland’s second-largest law firm, Houthoff Buruma, helped to ensure the successful launch before an enthusiastic group of 25 distinguished Dutch executives. According to Chad Murrin, former President of ACG UK who was in attendance at the lunch, the caliber of the event was exceptional. “I met individuals who were involved in corporate growth, many chief executives from operating companies, who saw promise in this kind of organization and expressed great enthusiasm for joining ACG.” William Weirich, of Matrix Capital Markets Group Inc., who is ACG Vice President of international expansion, was excited at the turnout and prospect for additional European expansion for ACG. “This new chapter in Holland is an important addition for ACG in Europe because it will enhance the global networking reach for all ACG members worldwide. The Netherlands is home to global businesses such as Philips, Shell, and Ahold as well as many middle-market businesses with global growth strategies. We hope that existing members with offices or operations in Holland will encourage their colleagues in Holland to become a part of building this new chapter.” Weirich is past President and Chairman of M&A International Inc., a global M&A network with 37 members in 31 countries that focus primarily on mid-size deals. With total professionals approximating 300, many of whom, like Weirich and van Ierland, are members of ACG, the organization closed 209 transactions in 2004 totaling $10.2 billion in value, many of which were cross-border. Holland Corporate Finance holds a membership in M&A International. ACG currently has 46 chapters in North America and Europe. In addition to ACG UK, two other ACG European chapter hubs include ACG France and ACG Austria. Copyright 2005 Thomson Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.thomsonmedia.com http://www.majournal.com