Eight Advisory goes global

November 28, 2023

Eight Advisory expands its international presence with its first office in the US

Eight Advisory, our European arm at Eight International, has announced the opening of its newest office in the heart of New York City and the appointment of Laurent Williot as Transaction Services Partner, responsible for the development of Eight Advisory’s business in the US.

This strategic move further strengthens the firm’s global presence and aims at supporting both Eight Advisory’s European clients in their international development and US companies looking to invest in Europe, by offering them its unique brand of world-class, entrepreneurial and pragmatic advice.

Laurent Williot, a dual French and American citizen, started his career with Arthur Andersen in France before moving to the US in 2000 where he has since specialized in Transaction Support working with EY, PwC and most recently BDO. He brings over 20 years of experience accompanying financial investors and corporate groups on financial due diligence projects across a wide range of sectors including business services, energy and infrastructure, consumer, technology, hospitality, construction, manufacturing and industrial products.

Laurent’s team will include Louis Legros, Director, and Archer Tawney, Manager, both experienced transaction services professionals from Eight Advisory’s Paris and London offices as well as local hires. They will be joined by a team of managers, seniors and analysts with an objective of a twenty strong team during the course of 2024. Laurent and the team will be supported by Justin Welstead, Partner and Member of the Eight Advisory executive committee, who has considerable experience in supporting European Groups in transactions in North America.

Laurent Williot, Managing Partner at Eight Advisory U.S., commented on the exciting new venture, saying:

« I am very excited to join Eight Advisory and be part of its expansion into the vibrant and dynamic New York market. The firm’s reputation, combined with its entrepreneurial approach to transaction support and its truly international DNA, fits perfectly with the needs of European clients looking at North American expansion and American clients looking at Europe.”

Justin Welstead, Member of the Eight Advisory executive committee, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion, stating:

« After our start in France and success in opening offices in the UK, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands, New York is an important milestone for Eight Advisory. We have historically worked on a significant number of projects for European clients in the region and with Laurent and the team, we are adding a locally based expertise to strengthen our offer”.

Eric Demuyt, Managing Director & Partner at Eight Advisory commented on the news:

“We are delighted to welcome Laurent to the Eight Advisory partner team. In 13 years, we have built a multi-disciplinary and international team of 98 partners and 830 employees in total. Our clients include listed groups, private equity funds and their portfolio companies, and family offices that have an international presence and ambition. With this step, we further strengthen our ability to accompany them in growing their businesses around the world”.

Congratulations!