Pitch Best Young M&A Advisor 2022: Bas Denissen, Vondel Finance

Company: Vondel Finance 
Job Description: Manager 
Age: 34 

What are the specialties of this talent? 
Bas has quickly developed himself as a deal team leader who is able to manage large-scale, complex and competitive projects. In M&A it is rare that projects are executed within the time initially planned for. Bas has proven that he is able to work with tight deadlines, without losing sight on other key objectives set by the client. Calm enough to retain the focus on the end result, but also with endless energy to be the last man standing late at night. 

How does the talent distinguish itself from its peers? 
Over the years, Bas has managed numerous projects in various sectors, giving him all-round experience throughout the M&A deal cycle. This broad experience enables him to quickly set up an optimal deal process and have the oversight from start to finish. With 8 years of experience from First Dutch, Boer & Croon Corporate Finance, Deloitte and Vondel Finance, at the age of 34 Bas is already more experienced than many of his more senior peers. 

What impact does the talent have within the organization?  
Translating the experience of Boer & Croon CF and Deloitte into the enterpreneurial spirit of Vondel Finance, Bas has played an important role in quickly growing the Vondel Finance team from 8 to 15 people, while also raising the standard of Vondel Finance to become one of the leading mid-market corporate finance teams in The Netherlands. Equally important is his role with the younger team members both during the day, but also after work as the captain of his longboat or in the pub until late at night. 

What impact does the talent have outside the organization?  
With the upcoming name change of Vondel Finance to Clairfield, Bas is playing an important role in lifting the Clairfield profile internationally in several key aspects, such as marketing, standardisation and technology. 

To what extent does the talent make the difference to clients?  
Both private equity and entrepreneurs like working with Bas as he is able to translate the broad set of wishes clients have into action with the end result in mind. National or international, strategic or a private equity angle, highly competitive or a 1-1, the flexibility to find the optimal process structure is the result of the broad experience Bas brings to the table. 

Why does the talent deserve this nomination? 
Bas deserves this nomination because of his instrumental role in many of Vondel Finance most prominent transactions over the past 12 months, including the sale of TMI to House of HR, the sale of Kwalitaria to Antea and the sale of Mauritskliniek to Ufenau Capital backed Corius Gruppe. In addition, he plays an important role in establishing Vondel Finance firmly in the M&A mid market. Finally, bringing our younger talents to a higher level while having fun is an important quality that deserves recognition. 

Any references or recommendations from clients or (colleagues)? 
TMI, Kwalitaria, Holland Capital have all worked very pleasantly with Bas in the last 12 months. References on request.