Hugo Wandels

• Providing independent financial due diligence, M&A support, and corporate finance advisory to investors, PE funds, and corporate clients.

• Leveraging expertise gained in top-tier advisory and audit firms to deliver high-quality financial insights and strategic support.

• Building a strong consulting practice, engaging with clients through freelance platforms and direct outreach.

• Led financial due diligence engagements for M&A transactions valued between €50m and €500m, providing key insights that informed strategic decision-making for well-established international PE funds and blue-chip corporations.

• Generated €1.4m in cash collections over a 3-year tenure, including €0.8m over the last twelve months, setting a record at the Senior Associate level in the Paris office.

• Conducted comprehensive financial analysis, including EBITDA normalisation, working capital assessment and normalisation, adjusted net debt definition and Locked Box, resulting in optimised deal structures and valuations.

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including legal, tax, and operational experts, to deliver integrated solutions that minimised risks and maximised value for stakeholders.

• Managed client relationships by providing clear, data-driven recommendations and maintaining ongoing communication, which resulted in repeat business and client satisfaction.

• Developed detailed financial models to support buy-side and sell-side transactions, enhancing the accuracy of client forecasts and investment strategies.

• Identified key financial risks and opportunities during due diligence processes, enabling clients to make informed decisions on potential investments and acquisitions.

• Mentored junior associates, guiding them in best practices for financial analysis and client interaction, fostering a high-performance team environment.

• Contributed to audit engagements in the Commerce, Industry & Public Sector (CIPS) department, with a strong focus on the hospitality industry, ensuring compliance with IFRS and Luxembourg GAAP for multinational clients.

• Reviewed the €4.5bn refinancing plan of a major hospitality group, assessing debt structuring, covenant compliance, and liquidity risk during the COVID-19 crisis.

• Participated in the review of a Purchase Price Allocation (PPA) for a €1.2bn acquisition of a Hospitality Group in Eastern Europe, a tender offer on the Warsaw Exchange, ensuring accurate asset and goodwill valuation under IFRS 3.

• Ranked among the top 5-10% of the cohort in annual performance reviews, recognised for technical expertise, audit quality, and leadership potential.

• Analysed the financial impact of pandemic-related disruptions on the hospitality industry, supporting strategic decision-making for stakeholders navigating unprecedented challenges.