Clarksons beefs up U.S. investment banking operation

Clarkson Investment Services, the investment banking arm of Clarksons PLC (London Stock Exchange: CKN), says that its U.S. operation Clarkson Capital Markets has further expanded its operations by hiring a capital markets and energy banking team.

The newly appointed energy team is led by James Bell and Robert Parker, who have an aggregate of over 30 years of domestic and international corporate finance and energy experience. They will further expand the division’s capital markets effort in the United States by adding energy banking, institutional sales and syndicate to the existing research platform.

During his career at IBS Group Mr. Bell managed over 50 transactions with an aggregate value in excess of $5 billion. His investment banking experience spanned a number of international and domestic IPOs, secondary offerings, M&A engagements and capital raises. He brings extensive capital markets experience and strong market relationships to clients and transactions. Prior to IBS Group, Mr. Bell was a senior associate and special operating representative for the CEO of Seacor Holdings. Previously, Mr. Bell served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps as a fixed wing and rotary wing aviator.

M.r. Parker was the Vice President in Equity Capital Markets and Syndicate Manager for IBS Group, where his primary focus was on public offerings. He coordinated the efforts of the IBS sales forces in the United States, Europe, and Asia, and managed the relationships with other banking institutions with which IBS co-managed offerings. Prior to joining IBS Group in 2006, Mr. Parker worked in the Investment Management Group of Morgan Stanley in New York.

The new U.S. hires follow recent appointments in research, including Michael Pak, formerly of Banc of America Securities, to cover the shipping sector and Todd Scholl, formerly of RBC Capital Markets, to cover the oil services sector.

These additions further Clarksons’ commitment to its investment banking efforts and will add New York to the list of its existing investment banking offices in Dubai, London and Houston. Clarksons investment banking is backed by the global network and individual industry knowledge of  Clarksons PLC, the world’s leading Maritime service provider.

Commenting on the new hires Clarkson Capital Markets Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Magnus Fyhr said: “We are very pleased to welcome James and Robert to the Clarkson Capital Markets team. They have a great track record and their addition to our firm reinforces Clarksons’ commitment to expand to the energy and transportation sectors. We look forward to an exciting 2011.”

May 4, 2011