Peter Heydenrych is Chairman and CEO of Corporate Finance Associates. With more than 20 years experience in corporate finance and investment banking, including international banking and M&A, he draws on a depth of experience and brings important insights to bear on the issues faced by clients.
Peter's entrepreneurial experience, as the owner of both service and manufacturing companies, provides added perspective and an enhanced ability to execute successful transactions, serving clients through a thorough understanding of both the process and the anatomy of M&A transactions. Most importantly, Peter's acknowledged capabilities make him a highly skilled negotiator who is analytical and tenacious, yet objective and fair.
Peter began his career with the Big Four Public Accounting firm of Arthur Young, initially in Cape Town, South Africa and later in London, U.K. He managed audits in diverse sectors including manufacturing, shipping, publishing and retail. Expanding the range of his financial skills, Peter was appointed by its Board to the corporate office staff of the Controller of Barclays Bank in London (then the 6th largest banking group in the world), where he advised the bank on its capital investment and infrastructure strategies.
Returning to his native South Africa, Peter served as the senior operating executive of a retail chain of 110 department stores, before moving to California in 1980. International experience was the foundation-stone for Peter's critical leadership contribution, as the Chief Financial Officer and member of the Board of Directors, to the rapid growth of a $200 million ocean freight transport and logistics company with operations on 5 continents.
Peter began his work in M&A when, as a Partner and the Managing Director of one of the largest U.S. interior architecture and design firms, he represented the company in a highly strategic sale to a Fortune 100 company. He transferred to the acquiring company, and implemented a national roll-up of interior architecture & design and furniture distribution companies.
Peter joined Corporate Finance Associates in 1991, and was a member of the management team which completed a buyout of the firm in 1996. He has participated in numerous M&A and corporate finance transactions, representing parties wishing to sell, buy or capitalize middle market businesses. Building on corporate affiliations and M&A experience, Peter has served the needs of middle-market companies in the technology, health, business services, transport, telecommunications, manufacturing, financial services and construction industries.
He is a Chartered Accountant of South Africa and holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Peter holds FINRA Series 7, 79, 24, 28 and 63 licenses. Securites offered through Corporate Finance Securities. Inc.
- Association for Corporate Growth
- California Real Estate Broker & Member of the National Association of Realtors
- Chartered Accountant (South Africa)
- CFA 2005 Deal of the Year
- CFA Platinum Circle Award
- CFA Diamond Circle Award
