KPMG in Germany appoints partner to lead new transactions-focused pensions team

Graham Pearce, one of the most experienced commercial transaction actuaries in Germany, has joined KPMG in Germany at partner level to head up a new Pensions Advisory team within its Transaction Services practice.

Prior to joining KPMG, 38 year old Graham was at Mercer for 17 years. He qualified as an actuary in 1994 and has specialized in advising on multinational pension issues with a particular focus on corporate transactions since 1998. In 2003, Graham was appointed head of Mercer’s Private Equity and M&A team.

In his new role at KPMG in Germany, Graham will be responsible for leading a team of dedicated actuaries advising on pensions issues arising during corporate transactions. Their work will include pre-deal options analysis and due diligence as well as advice on post-deal integration and scheme redesign. Graham and his team will work closely with the UK firm’s Pensions Advisory practice as well as with other member firms across KPMG’s global network to provide multinational coverage in relation to pension issues arising on transactions.

Commenting on his appointment at the German firm, Graham Pearce said: “I am tremendously pleased to be joining KPMG. I made this decision because I am convinced that the combination of a transactions focused pensions team with KPMG’s huge strength in the analysis of the financial aspects of transactions will enable our firms to provide clients some of the best possible advice.”

John Evans, European Head of Private Equity, KPMG in Germany, said: “Pensions is a critical area which private equity investors need to address in order to execute successful transactions. Graham’s experience in advising financial sponsors of European buy-outs significantly strengthens our network’s international capability in this area.”

Graham and his Pensions Advisory team will work within KPMG in Germany’s 250 strong Transactions Services practice. Sean Tiernan, head of Transaction Services at KPMG in Germany, commented: “We are committed to increasing the range and depth of transaction related services we provide to our firms’ clients. With the establishment of a specialist pensions team in Germany we will be better able to help clients secure value in the transactions they execute.”