As one of Europe’s leading M&A advisers, we entered FY24/25 with clear priorities: grow our footprint, deepen sector expertise, and support ambitious businesses at every stage of their journey. Despite a complex global environment, we stayed focused on what we do best—delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients. And the results speak for themselves.
We also strengthened our focus on diversity, equity and inclusion through our growing ClearVision network—supporting underrepresented groups, championing allyship, and helping shape a culture where everyone can thrive.
Looking forward, our strategy is clear: we aim to be the number one adviser for entrepreneurs. We help founders grow and exit their businesses, combining deep sector knowledge with local insight and international execution —often in partnership with private equity.
In FY24/25 we completed 196 transactions, raised €6.2bn in debt, and reached a total deal value of €16.1bn. We advised on 67 cross-border deals, reaffirming our strength in connecting buyers and sellers internationally, finishing as the 4th most active independent M&A adviser in Europe by volume.
One of the defining moments of the year was the launch of our refreshed brand. Dropping “International” from our name, we became simply Clearwater—a name that reflects our evolution into a modern, agile and globally connected firm.
We grew our headcount by 27%, promoted 53 colleagues, and added 18 new partners across 12 countries. Our European footprint now spans 20 offices, bolstered by new partnerships in Switzerland and Finland, new office openings in Munich and Gothenburg, and a strategic partnership in France (Vulcain).
At the core of our progress is a culture we’re incredibly proud of. In our latest engagement survey, 99% of our people said they are proud to work at Clearwater, and 95% feel empowered in their roles. These results reflect a strong sense of belonging, purpose, and pride in the work we do together.
We also strengthened our focus on diversity, equity and inclusion through our growing ClearVision network—supporting underrepresented groups, championing allyship, and helping shape a culture where everyone can thrive.
Looking forward, our strategy is clear: we aim to be the number one adviser for entrepreneurs. We help founders grow and exit their businesses, combining deep sector knowledge with local insight and international execution —often in partnership with private equity.
As our Chair and Co-Founder Phil Burns put it:
“Our ambition is bold—to be the natural partner for entrepreneurs across Europe. FY24/25 was about strengthening the foundations to support that ambition, combining strategic growth with the values that make Clearwater unique.”
FY24/25 was a year of real momentum. As we move forward, we remain committed to scaling with purpose, investing in our people, and unlocking new opportunities for the businesses and clients we serve.
FY24/25 Stats
27%
team growth
5
new offices
18
new partners
196
deals completed
