Top dealmaker Hannam gets set for new advisory venture
FORMER JP Morgan dealmaker Ian Hannam, one of the City’s most prolific M&A bankers, is in the early throes of setting up a new investment boutique advising companies in the mining, oil and gas sectors, it emerged yesterday.
Hannam, who stepped down from his role at the bank last April to contest a £450,000 fine handed to him by City regulators, is understood to be lining up City grandee John Manser as chairman of the prospective business, which is in the very early stages of applying for regulatory approval,
Manser was chair of legendary City merchant bank Robert Fleming until its eventual merger into JP Morgan Cazenove, Hannam’s former stomping ground. Manser is currently chairman of Shaftesbury and deputy chairman of SABMiller.
A spokesman for Hannam declined to comment on speculation about a new venture yesterday but referred to an earlier statement which said: “Ian Hannam has said he intends to set up his own FSA-registered business.
“However, the plans are still evolving and until they are finalised and ready to be announced publicly, it is inappropriate to comment on details which may be subject to change and which should remain confidential.”
Before his resignation, Hannam was one of the City’s busiest dealmakers clocking up hundreds of floats and mergers. He had a hand in the early stages of the Xstrata and Glencore mega merger which closed last year.