Solomon Partners Expands Infrastructure, Power and Renewables Group with Hiring of Derek Bentley as Partner
May 07 2024 - 10:30AM
Solomon Partners, a leading financial advisory firm, has
hired Derek Bentley as a Partner and Head of Energy
Transition. He will focus on expanding the coverage the team
provides across global infrastructure as well as decarbonization.
Mr. Bentley will work closely with the Infrastructure, Power and
Renewables Group’s Co-Heads, Tim Bath and Jeff Pollard, and report
directly to the firm’s CEO Marc Cooper.
Mr. Bentley has more than a quarter century of investment
banking and principal investment experience, with extensive
expertise in M&A, project finance, and corporate finance across
a vast array of infrastructure types.
“Derek is a widely recognized powerhouse in the Energy
Transition sector,” said Solomon Partners CEO Mr. Cooper. “We are
incredibly fortunate to have him join the firm and reinforce our
mission of providing exceptional advisory services from top
industry experts to Solomon’s clients.”
Mr. Bentley most recently served as Managing Director and Global
Head of Low Carbon Infrastructure at Nomura Greentech, where he
developed the corporate business strategy and managed overall
sector coverage of the low-carbon energy and infrastructure
practice. Under his leadership, the team was ranked #1 in global
renewable energy M&A transactions from 2018-2022, according to
Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
Mr. Bentley has advised on transactions in a broad range of
industries including water and wastewater treatment, natural gas
and water transportation, electric power transmission, fossil and
renewable power generation, energy storage, hydrogen production,
emission reduction technology, and a range of renewable fuels. He
received a BA in Economics from Yale University, where he earned
All-Ivy League honors as a running back.
“It’s an understatement to say that Derek is the consummate team
player,” Mr. Cooper commented. “He is exactly the type of trusted
advisor with an exemplary track record that we want on the Solomon
squad.”
Mr. Bath added, “We are delighted to welcome Derek to the
Infrastructure, Power and Renewables group to help expand our
capabilities in serving clients in this vital sector.”
Commenting on his new role Mr. Bentley said, “I am excited to
join a firm with such a stellar reputation that has been earned
over the last 35 years and to partner with Tim and Jeff, both of
whom are clear leaders in their respective areas. There is
significant overlap between our sectors and areas of expertise and
this role provides a unique opportunity to expand our collective
capabilities to help clients in the most expansive manner through
the energy transition. That powerful combination will enable us to
offer truly unique perspectives to ensure our clients’ objectives
are optimally met.”
He added, “Energy storage, renewable fuels and broader global
industry decarbonization are among the biggest trends in the world
today and I look forward to leading the charge as we further expand
our advisory services in this sector.”
About Solomon Partners
Founded in 1989, Solomon Partners is a leading financial
advisory firm with a legacy as one of the oldest independent
investment banks. Our difference is unmatched industry knowledge in
the sectors we cover, creating superior value with unrivaled wisdom
for our clients. We advise clients on mergers, acquisitions,
divestitures, restructurings, recapitalizations, capital markets
solutions and activism defense across a range of industries.
Solomon Partners is an independently operated affiliate of Natixis,
part of Groupe BPCE. For further information, visit
solomonpartners.com.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/87825a4e-33a0-4d51-8c5d-16963eebd4e7
Kalen Holliday
kalen.holliday@solomonpartners.com