Houlihan Lokey Strengthens European IT Services Coverage With DC Advisory Veteran
Event summary
- Mark Ward joins Houlihan Lokey as Managing Director in its Business Services Group, covering European IT services.
- Ward will be based across Manchester and London offices, reporting to Malte Abrams, Head of IT Services, Europe.
- He brings 14 years of investment banking experience, previously serving as Managing Director at DC Advisory.
- Houlihan Lokey's Business Services Group was ranked No. 1 globally for business services M&A in 2025.
The big picture
Houlihan Lokey is bolstering its European IT services capabilities amid a wave of sector consolidation. The hire comes as middle-market IT services firms face increasing pressure to scale through M&A, with Houlihan Lokey positioning itself as a leading advisor in this space. The firm's No. 1 global ranking for business services M&A in 2025 underscores its strategic focus on this high-growth segment.
What we're watching
- Sector Consolidation
- How Houlihan Lokey will leverage Ward's expertise to capitalize on accelerating IT services consolidation in Europe.
- Market Reach
- Whether the hire can significantly expand the firm's client base across the UK and continental Europe.
- Execution Risk
- The pace at which Ward can integrate his sector knowledge into Houlihan Lokey's existing platform.