Houlihan Lokey announced it has completed and signed two strategic transactions aimed at materially expanding its European corporate finance footprint, adding a major mid-cap advisory presence in France while extending its capital solutions offering into real estate capital advisory across key European hubs.
The investment bank announced it has signed an agreement to take a controlling interest in Audere Partners, a French corporate finance advisory firm currently operating under the Natixis Partners brand. Houlihan Lokey said the deal strengthens its position in France and is expected to establish the firm as one of the country’s leading mid-cap-focused advisory platforms.
Separately, Houlihan Lokey said it has acquired the real estate capital advisory business of Mellum Capital, which operates in Munich and London. The move builds on the firm’s recent expansion into infrastructure debt advisory in the region and broadens the range of capital structure solutions it can offer clients in Europe.
Houlihan Lokey expects the Audere Partners transaction to close in the first quarter of 2026. Upon closing, Audere Partners will be integrated into Houlihan Lokey and rebranded under the Houlihan Lokey name. The transaction will add more than 50 finance professionals to the firm, bringing its France team to about 80, according to the company.
Audere Partners is known for advising French mid-cap clients, including financial sponsors, entrepreneurs, and family-owned businesses. Houlihan Lokey said Audere’s senior leadership team will join the firm, including Patrick Maurel, Boris Picchiottino, François Rivalland, Nicolas Segretain, Bruno Stern, and Ludovic Tron, along with other professionals from the firm.
The Mellum Capital transaction has already been fully integrated under the Houlihan Lokey brand. Houlihan Lokey said 11 professionals joined as part of the deal and that Mellum Capital’s founding partners, Heinrich Hauss and Markus Reule, have joined as Managing Directors in the Capital Solutions Group to lead Houlihan Lokey’s Real Estate Capital Advisory offering in Europe. The company noted that Mellum Real Estate GmbH, the real estate brokerage subsidiary, was not included in the acquisition and remains under its original ownership.
Houlihan Lokey said the two transactions reflect continued momentum in its EMEA platform, which it said now includes approximately 550 financial professionals, and are intended to deepen sector coverage and strengthen access to alternative capital across its European franchise.
KEY QUOTES:
“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. 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 breadth of expertise that the Audere Partners and Mellum Capital teams bring, together with the strong cultural alignment we share, further enhances that offering. We are incredibly excited to expand our presence in Europe as we continue helping clients achieve their most important objectives.”
Scott Adelson, Chief Executive Officer, Houlihan Lokey
“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. 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. The addition of the Mellum Capital team further expands the breadth of our capital solutions offering and enhances our ability to deliver high-quality, tailored advice across the real estate sector. These investments reflect both the momentum behind our EMEA business, which now numbers approximately 550 financial professionals, and our commitment to continuing its growth.”
Phil Adams, President, Houlihan Lokey Europe
