Merger Talks Podcast

Episode 011 - Robert Young - Founder of Avero Advisory

In episode 11 of the Merger Talks Podcast, we spoke to Robert Young, the founder of Avero Advisory. Robert launched the business at the end of 2025 after being a Managing Director in Alantra's Technology M&A team. In the episode we talk about: * Current trends in the Technology sector and the impacts of AI * What it has been like setting up a new M&A boutique and how he is looking to do things differently * How to test for grit in junior bankers We hope you enjoy!

Episode 010 - Martim Villas-Boas - How you can use AI to enhance your deal making process

In Episode 10, we spoke with Martim Villas-Boas, founder of Pairwire, an AI powered due diligence platform for the Investment Banking market. * We talk about AI; what is it and how it can be used to make the deal making process more efficient * Why 70% of M&A deals fail during due diligence and how can AI improve that number?  * We break down what AI products are available today  * The dangers of AI and how they can be avoided * Whether AI will replace Investment Banking Analysts If you are looking to implement AI or learn more about it, this is the episode for you. We hope you enjoy!

Episode 009 - William D. Cohan - The history of Wall Street

Episode 9 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live! We spoke with William D. Cohan, the award-winning financial journalist and bestselling author of The Last Tycoons. A former Investment Banker himself, he’s known for combining insider access with clear, engaging storytelling that makes complex financial worlds understandable; and fascinating. In the episode, we talk about: * The history of Wall Street * How deregulation reshaped Investment Banking in the 1980s and 1990s * Consolidation on Wall Street * The dangers of Private Credit If you are fascinated by Wall Street and it's history, this is the episode for you!

Episode 008 - Vitoria Okuyama

Episode 8 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live! We sat down with Vitoria Okuyama, who went from playing professional tennis, and being ranked 118th in the world, to working as an Investment Banking Analyst at Citi.  After 3 months of consecutive 4am finishes, Vitoria experienced burnout which eventually led to her leaving Wall Street.  In this episode we talk about burnout; how it manifests itself, how to recognise it, and also potential solutions to the problem.

Episode 007 - Tom Lindsay - CEO and co-founder of Spayne Lindsay

Episode 7 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live! We sat down with Tom Lindsay, CEO of Spayne Lindsay. Tom co-founded the firm, a Consumer focused M&A boutique, in 2004 alongside his business partner, John Spayne. Prior to setting up the firm they had both been Consumer bankers at Lehman Brothers.  We covered a variety of topics including:  * The differences between the Investment Banking business model in Europe and the US. * How to set up an M&A boutique for succession. * Why Private Equity is less active in the consumer market today.