Advisory Overview

Corporate & Strategic Advisory

We provide independent, conflict-free advice to corporates, sponsors and non-bank financial institutions. Our team supports boards and executive teams to deliver highly strategic transactions, including M&A, divestments of businesses and significant assets, minority investments, joint ventures and take privates. We are distinguished by our emphasis on discretion, rigorous analysis and disciplined execution.

Our Approach

Our approach is defined by senior involvement, disciplined execution, and a laser focus on our clients’ strategic objectives shaped by decades of experience in banking and advisory roles.  What you can expect:

  • independent expert advice
  • transaction support
  • detailed financial analysis, valuation, benchmarking and analytical rigour
  • structuring expertise to optimise outcomes
  • discretion and confidentiality
Independent, unbiased advice

We provide independent expert advice aligned solely to our client’s objectives.

Senior-led execution

Engagements are led by experienced senior advisors from start to finish, with clear accountability throughout.

Solutions driven

Our expert and experienced team thinks laterally and navigates complexity to design solutions and deliver successful outcomes for our clients.

Deep industry relationships

We leverage long-standing relationships across banks, NBFIs, corporates and private equity to run targeted processes and create competitive tension where appropriate.

Discretion and discipline

We run structured processes that preserve management time, manage stakeholder communications carefully, and maintain confidentiality.

Expertise

Our team has deep expertise across a range of industries and extensive experience in managing complex transactions.

Strategic Advisory Capabilities

Corporate Divestments

We advise clients on the strategic sale, spin-off, or carve-out of business units to unlock value and sharpen organisational focus. Our team manages the full divestment lifecycle - from preparation and positioning through to buyer engagement, negotiation, and execution - ensuring optimal outcomes while minimising disruption. We combine deep market insight with disciplined process management to maximise value realisation.

Acquisitions

Our acquisition advisory services support clients to identify evaluate, and execute strategic growth opportunities. We provide rigorous financial and strategic analysis, conduct due diligence, and lead negotiations to help clients secure high-quality assets at the right value. From initial screening to closing, we ensure transactions align with long-term objectives and deliver sustainable growth.

Public Market Transactions

We guide clients through complex public market M&A transactions, including takeovers and court approved schemes of arrangement. Our team works closely with management, investors, and other stakeholders to navigate regulatory requirements, structure transactions effectively, and achieve favorable market positioning. We focus on delivering successful execution in dynamic market conditions.

Joint Ventures

We assist organisations to structure and negotiate joint ventures that create shared value while effectively managing risk. Our advisory approach covers partner selection, commercial structuring, governance frameworks, and alignment of strategic objectives. We help clients build robust partnerships that are both operationally effective and resilient over time.

Minority Investments

We support both investors and companies to structure minority investments that balance capital access with governance and control considerations. Our team ensures clear alignment on rights, protections, and value creation pathways, enabling successful partnerships. We focus on creating transparent, well-structured arrangements that support long-term collaboration.

Mergers

We provide end-to-end advisory on mergers, helping clients combine businesses to achieve strategic synergies and enhanced market positioning. Our services include strategic assessment, valuation, transaction structuring, stakeholder management, and execution support. We work to ensure seamless integration planning and value capture from day one.

Selected Case Studies

  • Auto Finance

    Situation
    A motorcycle and recreational vehicle finance company sought to raise capital to accelerate growth and expand beyond its core niche. The business had a strong foundation but required strategic guidance and funding to scale into adjacent markets and compete more broadly.

    Our Approach
    We advised the company on a comprehensive capital and growth strategy, supporting both organic expansion and transformative opportunities. Key initiatives included:

    • Capital Raising: Structured and executed equity and debt funding to underpin growth
    • Market Expansion: Supported entry into the Australian auto finance market
    • Transformational Acquisition: Advised on the acquisition of an auto dealer wholesale and consumer finance business from a major Australian bank
    • Institutional Investment: Introduced a global private equity investor, strengthening the company’s capital base and long-term growth capacity

    Outcome
    The business successfully transformed into a market-leading auto finance platform, achieving:

    • $7 billion balance sheet
    • 186,000+ customers
    • A significantly enhanced market position in Australian consumer and dealer finance

  • Buy Now Pay Later

    Situation
    An early-stage Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) provider required capital to support rapid growth in its receivables book and to execute on an ambitious expansion strategy. Maintaining funding certainty while scaling at pace was critical to sustaining momentum in a competitive market.

    Our Approach
    We advised on the design and execution of a robust funding and strategic roadmap, ensuring the business had the capital and flexibility to grow. Key initiatives included:

    • Debt Structuring: Arranged a fully underwritten debt facility to fund ongoing loan book growth
    • Equity Capital: Secured additional equity to provide committed capacity for strategic expansion
    • Execution Certainty: Collaborated closely with lenders in a competitive, fast-moving process to ensure funding certainty and optimal terms
    • Strategic Advisory: Supported management through the successful sale of the business to an ASX-listed company

    Outcome
    The company established a scalable and resilient funding platform, enabling:

    • Sustained growth of its receivables book
    • Increased strategic flexibility to pursue expansion opportunities
    • A successful exit for shareholders via sale to a listed acquirer

  • Mortgage Broker

    Situation
    A highly credentialed executive team identified an opportunity to acquire a majority stake in a mortgage broking business owned by an ASX-listed entity. The sector presented a fragmented landscape, with significant opportunity to consolidate and build a market-leading platform through targeted acquisitions.

    Our Approach
    We partnered with the executive team to design and execute a capital and strategic roadmap to support the acquisition and long-term growth. Key initiatives included:

    • Capital Raising: Secured funding to support the acquisition and provide capacity for future expansion
    • Transaction Execution: Structured and executed the investment to align with the executive team’s growth strategy and governance objectives
    • Strategic Advisory: Developed a clear roadmap to create a business of scale through merger and acquisition opportunities to consolidate smaller players and build scale

    Outcome
    The business established a platform for creating a leading participant in the mortgage broking sector:

    • Successful acquisition of a controlling stake with aligned investors
    • Execution of a pipeline of strategic acquisition opportunities
    • Development of a strategy to drive market consolidation

Leadership & Team

Adam Penny

Head of Corporate Advisory

Adam leads Sturt’s Corporate Advisory team. He has held senior M&A roles at leading investment and commercial banks and brings deep expertise in transactions and capital markets to support his clients.

Ayngaran Kailainathan

Partner

Ayngaran's background as a senior Financial Institutions Group banker provides a strong analytical foundation and a deep understanding of capital markets, cultivated through years of advising on complex financial transactions across diverse market environments.

Justin Jan

Partner

Justin’s background in advising on complex M&A and structured capital markets transactions enables him to deliver innovative and effective solutions for his clients. His expertise allows him to navigate challenging situations with clarity and precision.

Justin Lewis

Partner

Justin has over 25 years of experience in corporate finance, spanning strategy, capital raisings, business valuation, M&A, and general corporate advisory. He brings a deep, practical insight into complex transactions and strategic decision-making, helping clients navigate growth and value creation.

Confidential discussion

Independence. Diligence. Integrity.