Houlihan Lokey's European Gambit: A Major Play in Two Key Markets

LOS ANGELES & LONDON – January 20, 2026 – Global investment bank Houlihan Lokey has announced two significant transactions designed to aggressively expand its European footprint, signaling a strategic push into France's lucrative mid-market and the specialized real estate capital advisory sector. The firm has secured a controlling interest in the prominent French advisory firm Audere Partners and has acquired the real estate capital advisory business of Mellum Capital.

These moves underscore a deliberate strategy to build a more comprehensive and integrated service platform across the continent. “Over the past decade, our growth in Europe has been driven by a clear focus on delivering exceptional outcomes for clients through a truly differentiated offering,” said Scott Adelson, Chief Executive Officer of Houlihan Lokey. “Our ability to combine global reach and deep sector expertise with unparalleled access to alternative capital has enabled us to support clients with solutions few others can match.”

The dual acquisitions are set to significantly bolster the firm's capabilities, adding deep regional expertise and expanding its client offerings across the capital structure. The transactions reflect a clear commitment to capturing greater market share in a European financial advisory market projected to reach nearly $40 billion by 2031.

A Power Play in the French Mid-Market

The agreement to acquire a controlling interest in Audere Partners, which currently operates under the Natixis Partners brand, marks a pivotal moment for Houlihan Lokey's French operations. The deal positions the firm to become one of the premier advisory platforms for mid-cap companies in France, a highly competitive and dynamic market.

The French mid-cap M&A landscape is a bustling arena, populated by specialized local boutiques and the French arms of global banking giants. Houlihan Lokey's move to absorb a market leader like Audere Partners is a direct bid for dominance. Audere has built a stellar reputation advising financial sponsors, entrepreneurs, and family-owned businesses, making it a powerful engine for accessing a core segment of the French economy.

Upon the transaction's expected close in the first quarter of 2026, more than 50 finance professionals from Audere Partners will join Houlihan Lokey, swelling its Paris-based team to approximately 80. This infusion of talent includes the entire senior leadership team that built Audere's success, including Patrick Maurel, Boris Picchiottino, François Rivalland, Nicolas Segretain, Bruno Stern, and Ludovic Tron. The integration will see Audere operate fully under the Houlihan Lokey brand.

“These transactions are important milestones in the ongoing development of our European business, which has become one of the largest and most successful in the region,” said Phil Adams, President of Houlihan Lokey, Europe. “France is a key market, and in Audere Partners, we have found a team with outstanding expertise, an excellent market reputation, and a strong cultural fit.”

Deepening Expertise in Real Estate Capital

Concurrent with its French expansion, Houlihan Lokey has acquired the real estate capital advisory arm of Mellum Capital, a specialist firm with operations in Munich and London. This acquisition strategically enhances the firm's Capital Solutions Group, particularly within Europe's evolving real estate sector.

The European real estate market is showing clear signs of recovery and stabilization after a period of volatility. With lending conditions improving and a projected increase in both debt and equity availability, the demand for sophisticated capital advisory is on the rise. Trends toward sustainable financing and investment in niche sectors like data centers and new energy infrastructure are creating new opportunities for expert advisors.

Mellum Capital, founded in 2021 as a spin-out from Brookfield Financial, quickly established itself as a key advisor on complex equity investments, debt placements, and structured finance solutions for real estate clients. The acquisition brings this specialized expertise in-house at Houlihan Lokey, adding 11 professionals, including Mellum's Founding Partners, Heinrich Hauss and Markus Reule. They have joined as Managing Directors to spearhead the firm’s Real Estate Capital Advisory offering in Europe.

This move follows Houlihan Lokey's recent expansion into infrastructure debt advisory, further demonstrating a concerted effort to build a comprehensive capital solutions platform capable of serving clients across the full spectrum of their financing needs.

The Human Element: Talent and Culture as a Catalyst

Beyond market share and service lines, these acquisitions are fundamentally about acquiring top-tier talent. In the professional services industry, the value of a firm is inextricably linked to the expertise and reputation of its people. Houlihan Lokey has placed a strong emphasis on retaining the leadership and culture that made both Audere Partners and Mellum Capital successful.

The press release highlighted a “strong cultural alignment” as a key driver for both deals. This focus on cultural fit is critical for successful integration and long-term value creation. By retaining the entire senior leadership of Audere Partners and appointing Mellum's founders to lead the new real estate practice, Houlihan Lokey is ensuring continuity of expertise and client relationships.

Patrick Maurel of Audere Partners commented on this synergy, stating, “In Houlihan Lokey, we have found an ideal partner that shares our entrepreneurial spirit and client-centric culture.” His colleague Ludovic Tron added that the move would allow them to “continue to provide our clients with high-quality, independent advice while offering our teams outstanding career development opportunities by combining our talents with one of the most successful financial advisory firms globally.”

This people-first approach is a hallmark of successful M&A in the advisory space, where preventing a talent exodus is paramount. By integrating these seasoned teams, Houlihan Lokey is not just buying businesses; it is investing in the human capital that will drive its future growth in Europe. With these additions, the firm's EMEA business now numbers approximately 550 financial professionals, creating a formidable pool of expertise. As the integrations proceed, the firm's ability to offer clients a combination of global reach and deep, localized knowledge is set to become its defining competitive advantage in the region.