Cardiff University partners with Lexington to help match corporate buyers and sellers

Lexington Corporate Advisors has partnered with Cardiff Business School and Cardiff University to offer internships to students striving to make an impact in the corporate finance world.

As part of the initiative, the firm, which was set up by Gary Partridge and Nigel Greenaway at the start of the year, has taken on Alexandra Ross as a Corporate Finance Research Analyst.

Alexandra is in her second year of studying a Business Management degree (BSc). She is already part-qualified as an Accounting Technician having taken AAT exams before studying for her degree and is hoping to enter the corporate finance profession after graduation.

Co-founder Mr Partridge said: “We are delighted to have Alexandra on board for the next few months.

“This is a great opportunity for her to gain hands-on experience researching buyers for sale and disposal transactions in a fast-paced and thriving firm.

“If there is no family or potential MBO team poised to takeover then succession can be a challenge. Alternatively vendors might be looking to maximise their sale price by bringing as many interested parties to the table for a trade sale.

“A key area of support for our clients looking to sell is the identification of potential buyers. Alexandra will be undertaking research to find those buyers and make the sale process run much more smoothly.

“Alexandra shows real promise. She already has a great understanding of the business world and we hope to help her develop her corporate finance skills and knowledge during her internship with us.

“This collaboration has also strengthened our links with Cardiff University which we feel will help to invest in Lexington’s future and that of graduates hoping to enter the corporate finance profession.”

Miss Ross is the latest newcomer to join Lexington Corporate Advisors since its involvement with the Santander Universities SME Internship programme, which looks to improve graduates’ employability by partnering with universities and local businesses throughout the UK to offer good quality internships across a range of sectors.

On her internship, Miss Ross, said: “I am extremely excited to start my placement in the New Year, it will offer the opportunity for me to apply theory I have learnt from my AAT Level 3 qualification and Cardiff Business School in a professional environment. In addition, I believe my colleagues at Lexington will offer me all the support I need to excel in my role. From this experience I am certain it will set me in good stead for my final year at university.”

Alex Hicks, Placement Manager at Cardiff Business School, added: “We have been working with Lexington for the past 12 months and it is great to see the company grow and develop, and for our students to be a part of that story.

“Employability is a major focus for us and we are committed to providing high quality professional placements for students. Our relationship with Lexington is a great example of how we are working with Welsh SMEs to facilitate that and deliver mutual benefits. Business is provided with access to creative, knowledgeable, ambitious students while students are afforded the opportunity to gain practical experience and build their professional network before graduating.”

Lexington Corporate Advisors was set up in January 2016, by Gary Partridge and Nigel Greenaway. The entrepreneurial advisory boutique specialises in providing strategic advice targeted at business growth, acquisitions, disposals and fund raising.

Drawing upon Gary and Nigel’s combined network, knowledge and over 40 years’ experience of working in corporate finance, Lexington works right across the UK as Lead Advisor providing hands-on, trusted advice to companies and their owners seeking to facilitate growth and crystallise value.