Olly founded IMAS in 1992 and was responsible for the development of IMAS-insight, IMAS’s central knowledge-based system. He has been involved in the majority of IMAS’ transactions and is highly experienced in what makes for a successful transaction and making it happen.

Prior to setting up IMAS, he worked for Cazenove and Kleinwort Benson. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Arthur Andersen and has a degree in Economics from Exeter University.

Olly revels in building long-lasting relationships with decision-makers across the financial services sector based on his knowledge and insights.

James has specialist expertise in the insurance industry and significant M&A transaction experience from having provided advice on most of our clients’ transactions in the sector.

Prior to joining IMAS, James spent 17 years working in the insurance industry, holding senior management positions in Sedgwick’s and as Managing Director of Chaucer Syndicates, throughout which he worked on major corporate transactions. James qualified as a chartered accountant with Price Waterhouse and has a degree in Geography from Oxford University.

James enjoys nothing more than challenging clients to look at their businesses more objectively, when he’s not fishing or tying flies.

Fred covers the Investment sector in which IMAS has established a strong presence across all areas. Fred joined IMAS in 2009 with extensive experience of domestic and international M&A and Capital Markets transactions, having focused on Corporate Finance throughout his career. He has advised on all IMAS’s projects in the Investment sector since and has built strong connections for IMAS in the space.

Fred has some 25 years’ experience of corporate finance having specialised in European Mergers & Acquisitions and Equity Capital Markets throughout his career. Prior to joining IMAS, Fred worked briefly for Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander and spent most of his career at JPMorgan Cazenove and Handelsbanken Investment Banking. Fred trained as an accountant with Touche Ross and holds a BA with honours degree in Economics from Durham University.

Fred enjoys building long-lasting relationships with clients and helping them create and realise value, almost as much as pursuing outdoor activities such as sailing, skiing, walking and tennis.

John joined IMAS in 2018 bringing a wealth of corporate finance experience in financial services and, in particular, UK insurance where he reinforces one of our key areas of focus. John previously worked for Stephens Europe in their Financial Services Group as a Managing Director covering a wide range of European financial services.  Prior to joining Stephens Europe in 2016, he was a Director at N M Rothschild & Sons where he spent 11 years in its London-based financial services group.  He began his career at Ernst & Young where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in the assurance arm of its financial services practice. He has extensive advisory experience and has advised on multiple transactions covering both public and private M&A as well as IPOs.  He particularly specialises in the financial services sub-sectors of insurance and leasing and has completed deals in the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia.  He has acted for a number of UK and international financial services companies, including Prudential, Old Mutual, Allied Irish Banks, RSA, Amlin and Hiscox. He has an MA in History from the University of Glasgow and a MSc in Finance from the University of Aberdeen.

Bruce joined IMAS in 2008 and has been instrumental in building IMAS’s franchise in the Financial Technology and Outsourced Services areas. He has advised on all IMAS’s projects in the sector and has built an extensive global network of contacts among private equity and venture capital funds as well as key corporations.

Bruce has over 20 years of international M&A and capital markets experience, based both in London and New York, having joined IMAS from Bank of America where he was a Director working on public and private company takeovers and disposals. Prior to Bank of America, Bruce worked in both M&A and financing teams at CIBC World Markets, Citigroup and Henry Ansbacher. Bruce qualified as a chartered accountant with Price Waterhouse after gaining a BA (Dual Honours) degree in Economics & Accounting from Sheffield University.

When not advising clients on transactions, Bruce enjoys endurance sports having represented Great Britain on a number of occasions, most recently in Duathlon.

Tony joined IMAS from Gazelle Corporate Finance, where he was a Managing Director working principally on the sale of businesses on behalf of corporate clients. Prior to Gazelle, Tony worked in the Mergers & Acquisitions group at Citigroup advising on UK public and private company takeovers and disposals and as a management consultant within the financial services divisions of Coopers & Lybrand and Andersen Consulting. Tony holds a MBA from London Business School and a BA (Hons) in Classics from University College London.

Omar joined the IMAS team in 2016 from Willis Capital Markets & Advisory where he was an Analyst focusing on M&A advisory and capital raising transactions for clients in the insurance sector. Prior to his three years at Willis Capital Markets & Advisory, Omar graduated with a BA in Spanish with Management and obtained a distinction in the language from University College London. He also recently passed the CFA Level I examination.

Mel joined the IMAS team in 2017 and has recently focused on capital raisings in the FinTech sector. Prior to IMAS, Mel was at Lazard Frères where he was an Analyst focusing on M&A advisory and capital raising transactions across multiple sector groups. Mel graduated from the University of New South Wales with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce, Distinction, and also holds a Diploma in French language and civilisation from Université Paris-Sorbonne IV.

Prior to joining IMAS, Terry had some 20 years’ senior management experience in commercial banking with Barclays Bank PLC, specialising in banking services for London market and internationally based insurance businesses, and in corporate lending. Terry has held non-executive director roles on the boards of a number of companies in the financial services sector and is an associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers. He heads up the IMAS research team.