Debt Advisory at Houlihan Lokey London

Does anybody have any insight into debt advisory at HL London?

If not, any colour on debt advisory as a career option itself would be much appreciated (WLB, comp, exits, best teams in London).

My end goal would be to get to private credit

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80% of the work is reaching out to banks and funds to get the staple for the sector team conducting the sell-side.

A lot of admin (coordinating grids, RLs & NDAs) + providing feedback to potential buyers regarding lenders' appetite around the potential debt package available.

It’s HL, so almost every deal will be LMM (£5mil+ EBITDA businesses)

AN1 comp is £65k.

 

Very helpful, thank you. Would an exit to private credit be possible from this team?

 

Push - is starting a career in Debt Advisory within the Capital Markets Group at Houlihan Lokey a good foundation if I'm interested in PE Buyouts and Direct Lending? I've heard that Debt Advisory tends to be more technical compared to M&A, with modeling work that’s closer to Restructuring groups than to traditional M&A or Coverage groups. Can anyone share insights about the culture, daily work and exits from HL Capital Markets / DA?

 

Since Debt Advisory and M&A both belong to HL's Corporate Finance division, is the total compensation in both teams equally high? Can someone comment about the hours? (London)

 

Fairly sweaty for a Debt Advisory team. Quite a good deal flow. Barely any pitching, esp. in the FSG due to good industry contacts and great standing in the market. FSG has strong focus on MM (c.€25m EBITDA). Industry coverage has larger clients that need advice in hairy situations - largest clients are typically family owned conglomerates that face a credit crunch and need advice on how to proceed. Very interesting work imo but unfortunately the clients obv don’t want anyone to know that you helped them avert bankruptcy.

Bonus was stellar when I was there, esp. directly after GCA/HL merger… not disclosing my numbers here but I was earning much more than now at a BB.

PC is typical exit. PE might be difficult.

 

Thank you very much! Which group did you join at BB after leaving HL DA? Was it something LevFin/Special Sits related or plain M&A/Coverage? Do you feel that the skillset you developed in Debt Advisory is as good as the toolkit of an IBD analyst in another group or is it more narrow? Would it be possible for you to DM me so I can ask a few more questions?

 

How do typical exits from HL Debt Advisory look like? Is it possible to lateral to BB/EB (e.g. LevFin/RX) or to exit to credit funds? 

 

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