SCD Advisory named M&A Advisory Firm of the Year in Australia for Global 100 – 2027

November 11, 2026

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SCD Advisory has been named M&A Advisory Firm of the Year in Australia – 2027 in the Global 100 awards, recognising a boutique firm that has built its reputation on one clear specialism: mergers and acquisitions for founder-led B2B Services businesses.

In a market where transactions can be shaped as much by preparation and positioning as by price, SCD Advisory stands out for its exclusive focus on B2B Services M&A, a partner-led model, and an approach designed to help entrepreneurs navigate complex deal processes with confidence. The firm was founded by Managing Partner Pierre Briand, whose career spans corporate finance, private banking and wealth management, alongside extensive deal execution experience.

A specialist boutique focused exclusively on B2B Services M&A

SCD Advisory is an independent Australian corporate advisory boutique dedicated exclusively to M&A transactions in B2B Services. The firm advises founders and shareholders across key services segments, including:

Consulting
IT Services
Software & AI
Engineering & Design
Media, Marketing & Communications

This sector focus matters. For many services businesses, value is closely tied to intangible assets such as client relationships, recurring revenue characteristics, specialised talent, delivery capability, and the credibility of management. Advisers who understand the nuances of these value drivers can better anticipate buyer priorities, position the equity story, and structure a process to support strong outcomes.

End-to-end support: strategy, capital and deals

Transactions rarely succeed on momentum alone. For founders considering a sale, acquisition, recapitalisation, or partner transition, the steps taken well before a deal is launched can materially influence the result. SCD Advisory provides end-to-end support through three complementary pillars:

Strategy Advisory

Prep4Sale
Board Advisory

Capital Advisory

Management Buy-In (MBI)
Management Buy-Out (MBO)
Private Equity

Deal Advisory

Sell-side advisory
Buy-side advisory

By combining preparation and strategic input with transaction execution, the firm supports clients through the full arc of a deal journey, from readiness and positioning through to negotiation and completion.

Cross-border mindset and insight into the buyer universe

For Australian B2B Services businesses, a buyer is not always domestic. SCD Advisory reports that 60% of its deals are cross-border, with buyers from 12 nations. The firm has also completed transactions in every Australian state, giving it a nationwide view of how local market dynamics intersect with global capital and strategic demand.

That cross-border experience is more than a geographic footnote; it shapes how a process is run. International buyers may bring different valuation frameworks, integration expectations, and approaches to governance and reporting. Private equity buyers may focus on scalability, margin profile and leadership depth, while trade buyers may prioritise capability acquisition, client synergies and talent retention. SCD Advisory positions its experience as a practical advantage: a deep understanding of the buyers’ universe, including investment patterns, cultural fit and management expectations, paired with deal structuring expertise aimed at translating insight into improved pricing, terms and outcomes.

Founder-led experience: Pierre Briand’s 25-year career advising entrepreneurs

SCD Advisory’s work is anchored in the background of its founder. Pierre Briand brings 25 years of experience advising entrepreneurs, underpinned by a blend of management and financial advisory expertise across corporate finance, private banking and wealth management.

His experience includes sell-side and buy-side deals, IPOs, mergers, integrations, and consulting projects for both small businesses and large global corporations. Pierre began his career in Australia, before moving to France where he worked on M&A deals within the Artemis group alongside prominent business figures including billionaire François Pinault. He later founded BC&D, an M&A small-cap firm in Paris, managing corporate advisory services across Europe and advising entrepreneurs on wealth management strategies to support the transition from business ownership.

In Paris, Pierre also held advisory roles at the Belgium Family Office (DeGroof) and served as a senior private banker and head of the HNW segment for France at JP Morgan. Returning to Australia in 2015, he established the ANZ subsidiary of a UK-headquartered M&A firm, executing multiple transactions across Australia. In 2019, he launched SCD Advisory and has since completed a significant body of transactions, with the firm earning multiple global awards in M&A advisory in the years that followed.

Preparation, buyer targeting and competitive tension

SCD Advisory’s philosophy is clear: results are built, not hoped for. As Pierre Briand explains:

"Australia's mid-market is full of founder-led B2B Services businesses that global buyers and private equity are eager to acquire. The businesses that achieve the best results are rarely the ones that simply respond to an approach. They are prepared, understand who their natural buyers are, and run a process that keeps competitive tension alive." – Pierre Briand, Managing Partner, SCD Advisory

For many founders, the difference between an unsolicited inbound offer and a well-run M&A process can be profound. Clear positioning, disciplined preparation, and a process that sustains momentum can help manage risk, maintain optionality, and support more favourable terms.

Selected transactions (titles only)

Exclusive financial advisor to Netwealth on its acquisition of Paradino
Supported Alceon on its acquisition of Engage Squared
Exclusive sell-side advisor to Advancy Australia on its sale to PwC Australia
Exclusive sell-side advisor to Bluefin3 on its sale to RSK Group

Why this Global 100 – 2027 recognition matters

In the Australian mid-market, especially across B2B Services, entrepreneurs often face a crowded advisory landscape. Global 100 – 2027 recognition in the category of M&A Advisory Firm of the Year in Australia highlights SCD Advisory’s distinct proposition: exclusive sector focus, partner-led execution, and a demonstrable track record across both domestic and cross-border transactions.

For founders and shareholders considering their next strategic step—whether that is a full sale, partial exit, acquisition, private equity partnership, or management transition—this award underscores the value of working with an adviser whose methods are grounded in preparation, informed buyer targeting, and deal structuring discipline.