Duff & Phelps Hires Sports Expert Trevor Birch

LONDON - Duff & Phelps, the premier global valuation and corporate finance advisor, is pleased to announce that Trevor Birch has joined the firm as a Managing Director in London. Drawing on his extensive experience advising the sports sector, he will work across all practices to support on valuations, transactions, restructuring and corporate advisory.

Trevor brings to the business more than 30 years of valuable expertise in professional services and the sports sector. A former professional footballer, he continued his passion for the sport whilst transitioning into a career in accountancy, working as a partner at EY and Deloitte.

Trevor is best known for his executive appointments at a number of football clubs. In 2002 he became Chief Executive of Chelsea FC where he led the £180 million sale to Roman Abramovich in July 2003. He was subsequently appointed Chief Executive of Leeds United FC, which led to the successful sale to a local consortium following a restructuring. Most recently, Trevor was a Partner and Head of the Professional Sports Group at BDO LLP during which he acted as Administrator of Portsmouth FC, leading a successful sale of the club to the Pompey Supporters' Trust.

Trevor will augment Duff & Phelps existing sports focused  team, which has worked with football clubs such as Manchester United, Norwich City and Fulham as well as a number of Formula One teams including Red Bull and Caterham.

Yann Magnan, Managing Director and the EMEA Markets Leader at Duff & Phelps, commented: “We see considerable potential for foreign investment in the sports sector in Europe. Trevor's specific set of skills and unparalleled experience in the sector will be invaluable to expanding our offering in this high-growth area. Adding to our experience in the valuation of sports teams in the U.S. and Europe, Trevor will advise across Europe on all aspects of the business of sport, tapping into the increasingly complex nature of valuing international agreements, brand rights and broadcast licencing and the associated transactions."

Trevor has also served as Chief Operating Officer of Sportfive GmbH, a €600m sports rights agency and is a chartered accountant.

About Duff & Phelps

Duff & Phelps is the premier global valuation and corporate finance advisor with expertise in complex valuation, disputes and investigations, M&A, real estate, restructuring, and compliance and regulatory consulting. The firm’s more than 2,000 employees serve a diverse range of clients from offices around the world. For more information, visit this page.

M&A advisory, capital raising and secondary market advisory services in the United States are provided by Duff & Phelps Securities, LLC. Member FINRA/SIPC. Pagemill Partners is a Division of Duff & Phelps Securities, LLC. M&A advisory and capital raising advisory services are provided in a number of European countries through Duff & Phelps Securities Ltd, UK, which includes branches in Ireland and Germany. Duff & Phelps Securities Ltd, UK, is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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