Former Lazard banker launches a chemicals M&A advisory firm
ALASDAIR Nisbet, the former global co-head of Lazard’s chemical M&A division, has left the bank to set up a boutique M&A advisory business for the chemicals sector.
Natrium Capital, which received formal approval from the Financial Services Authority yesterday, will focus on the chemical, materials, alternative energy and bio-technology sectors.
Nisbet told City A.M.: “We’re in the early stages but we are talking to a number of people.”
Nisbet previously worked on investment banking activity in the chemicals sector at Lazard, having joined the bank in 2002. He departed the firm in August to set up the new venture. The global chemical industry is set to hit $5.5 trillion (£3.4 trillion) in value by 2015, according a recent study by business research firm Global Industry Analysts.
Nisbet, who previously had a hand in Lazard’s Indian operations, said the firm would be focused on the global market.
“We have very clear aspiration to be global and we’re talking to a number of partners overseas to consider operations,” Nisbet said.
He has previously worked for a number of global clients including Tata Chemicals, Dow Chemicals and Rockwood Chemical.
Nisbet co-headed Lazard’s chemical M&A division with Richard Whitney, who was brought into the firm from Credit Suisse last October. Before that he worked at Dresdner Kleinwort and Wasserstein Perella.
Lazard declined to comment.