About Waypoint

Otto Stevens

Partner

I have always believed in, and am passionate about, the creative industry and related technologies. It forms a huge part of the global economy, it innovates, grows and creates net new employment every year.

I work with CEOs, management teams and shareholders (sometimes all three) to help grow business and realise value and potential in business leaders.

Waypoint Partners is agnostic as to what the solution is to the problem. Only those advisers who listen, imagine, create ideas and flawlessly execute will be successful. Waypoint Partners is growing quite nicely…

I am a qualified accountant training with Grant Thornton Corporate Finance and have been an investor, consultant, adviser and CFO in the creative space for the last 15 years. I was formerly CFO of iris Worldwide and when I was there it was the fastest growing large independent agency in the world.

Born into a massive Irish family has its challenges, although I like Guinness and spuds, it makes for an interesting life. I stopped at 3 children and that’s enough.

Miles Welch

Partner

As Partner at Waypoint Partners, my passion is to help you achieve your growth and enhance the value of your business.

I spent the first part of my career running and scaling top independent agencies such as Digitas, followed then by 4 years as a Partner at Results International, a global M&A boutique. This mix of experience gives me a unique perspective on growing and realising value in the creative and related technology sector.

I’ve been voted Outstanding Non-Exec Director at the Best Business Awards for 3 years in a row, so I must be doing something right.

Being a father of 3 girls means there’s never a dull day and I’m sadly no closer to understanding the rules of netball.

Jim Houghton

Partner

I have more than 30 years of specialist international M&A, operational and financial management experience in the marketing and advertising industry.

I’m very proud to have led transformational M&A deals for the leaders and shareholders of class-leading business including We Are Social, 160over90, Teneo Blue Rubicon and Iris.

Although I’ve led many corporate finance transactions, I’ve never considered myself a Banker but rather a deal maker in an industry that I’m passionate about.  I’ve split my career between roles in industry and as a professional adviser.  As an advisor I was formerly a Managing Director at Ingenious and a Partner at Results International.  In industry I was appointed CFO at 160over90 in Philadelphia in 2016 after its sale to Searchlight Capital, and was previously European MD of Omnicom’s experiential network, the Radiate Group, led Omnicom’s M&A activity in Europe for 8 years, completing 40 transactions and sitting on many agency Boards.

When I’m not working, you’ll generally find me slaving away in front one of my many beloved BBQs or walking my faithful Labrador between local village pubs

Andy Brown

Partner

Sustained agency growth is primarily based on how and when to best apply core business principles. This can be simple to understand but difficult to implement.

I’ve generated long-term value growth by helping independent agency boards implement these principles since the mid-1990s, helping many to sale and, for the last two decades, I’ve focused on digital. Most recently, I was appointed MD of agenda21 when they were acquired by the Be Heard Group, and led the business to double revenue and headcount within two years. I bring clarity to decision making, helping agency principals identify what will really move the dial and what is just a beguiling distraction.

I’m married with two grown up children who love me enough to have moved back home. I play cricket and am a life-long season ticket holder at Brighton & Hove Albion. My passion for growth extends to my love of gardening. And, as a very keen rambler, I can address my other two interests – walking & beer.

Phil Gripton

Partner

As a partner at Waypoint Partners I am passionate about helping clients in the North of England and Scotland achieve the growth and success they deserve. Having run successful businesses in the North myself, I know how much talent and innovation there is to differentiate and drive business success here.

My aim is to work with you and your management teams to help you grow and successfully navigate the numerous challenges you’ll face on your path to success.

Over the past 26 years I have led and optimised multiple businesses; both agency and client side, and bring a unique experience and perspective from being operator, provider and buyer of a wide range of creative, tech and digital services. Along that journey I led the UKs largest independent search business, that we sold to Digitas LBi, where I then became UK COO until their sale to Publicis. Latterly I have sold and acquired several businesses, bringing a depth of commercial and practical experience to your team.

Based between Edinburgh (home) and the North of England, I am married to Lindsay and have two fantastic sons Joseph and Angus who take up a good deal of my spare time. I’m a proud Geordie and Newcastle United fan who loves a sunny day to get on my bike and put a few miles in.

Lisa Mandell

Partner

I have a passion for helping start-up and fast growth businesses build sustainable & profitable revenue streams at pace.

As a board advisor with a focus on growth, sales, marketing and commercial behaviour, I will help you unlock new revenue opportunities to deliver against your short and long term commercial targets.

I have previously held positions at Techlightenment a social media marketing and technology business where I shaped their marketing and sales functions which led to a successful exit to Experian plc in 2014. More recently I was founding member of VC-backed content production company Quill Content, where I built from scratch their sales, marketing and operations functions helping them become the pre-eminent global leader of ecommerce content production.

My spare time is usually spent with my husband Nick and beautiful daughter Bella and if there is any time left I spend it watching my beloved Arsenal or training for my next triathlon.

Brett Davis

Managing Partner, U.S

As Partner at Waypoint Partners, my focus is to accelerate the growth of your business and to realize its’ potential and value at the appropriate time.

Passionate about business strategy and working with founders, shareholders and leadership teams, I provide guidance and perspective to accomplish both longer-term commercial aspirations and near-term mandates.

My appreciation for creating financial value stems from investment banking experience at UBS and creating/managing/selling a portfolio of privately owned businesses at Andiamo Ventures. I spent the next 7 years in global leadership roles at Edelman (world’s largest PR firm), from leading corporate development efforts to global CFO/COO of their research and analytics consultancy. The next 2 years were spent as COO of Kelton Global, an insights and brand strategy consultancy which was acquired by LRW in 2018.

After growing up in the Washington D.C. area, I headed to California to seize opportunities and explore dramatic landscapes any rock climber and endurance athlete would be drawn to. I’ve since moved back east and enjoy the four seasons with my wife and 3 daughters.

Julianna Richter

Partner, U.S

I am passionate about helping Companies build & expand their business. As a partner at Waypoint Partners, I will work with your leadership team to optimize your business and achieve growth goals.

Matt Lacey

Managing Director

I’m passionate about working with entrepreneurs with an ambition to grow and realise the potential of their business.

I have nine years of international M&A and strategic advisory experience in the creative and marketing services sectors. During this time I’ve helped leaders in the UK, Europe, US and APAC develop strategic growth routes and deliver successful M&A outcomes.

I’ve advised on 22 completed transactions across digital transformation, performance marketing, data / insight, comms, creative, content and TV production – including the sales of Threepipe to Italian technology and consulting group Reply, Draw Group to management consulting firm Oliver Wyman and Verve to global marketing communications agency Omnicom.

Prior to Waypoint I was at ACF Investment Bank, where I worked on £500m of high profile deals in the TV production space from both the UK and US office.

As a wolfdog owner, I get plenty of time in the outdoors to explore the UK’s hidden gems and mentally recharge.

Angela Lurssen

Business Development Director

I’ve worked in a number of roles across the creative sector – from agency and client side to M&A consultancy. What connects them all is a drive for growing businesses.

Having cut my teeth at Results International, a M&A boutique and thereafter, as a pluralist, working with various agencies in our sector, I now focus on driving new business at Waypoint Partners – via targeted global marketing, new business strategies and delivery.

Outside work, I enjoy extreme sports and have a penchant for endurance running. I’ve achieved my back-to-back for the Comrades ultra and I’m now after a green number (x10 Comrades in total).

I spend my time between London and Cape Town.

Rob Blencowe

Associate Director

As an Associate Director at Waypoint Partners I work closely with the Partners on engagements covering both growth advisory and Corporate Finance.

I have been at Waypoint for over 3 years, gaining experience of several transactions and a wide range of businesses.

I joined Waypoint from KPMG, where I spent 3 years in technology consulting while training for the ACA. Prior to this I gained some valuable experience in the tech sector at a hospitality startup and in marketing with two roles at L’Oreal.

Outside of work I enjoy travelling, food and sport. I make good use of my language skills by frequently travelling to France and Spain, where I tend to overindulge in my second interest.

Mark Sainthill

Associate Director

As an Associate Director at Waypoint Partners, I work with the team and partners to provide our clients with strategic, commercial and financial guidance across corporate finance and growth advisory.

I have spent nearly fifteen years in media and marketing services – working with agency owners, clients and investors.

My experience has been acting as a Finance Director for agencies and consultancies, with additional expertise in strategic consulting and corporate finance.

I have four years of media and technology corporate finance advisory experience across sale side, buyside and fundraising assignments. Also I have industry experience through senior commercial finance roles at Ogilvy and Bauer Media, and became a qualified accountant (CIMA) in 2009.

Jamie Learmont

Associate Director

As an Associate Director at Waypoint Partners I support our North of England and Scotland based agency clients on growth advisory.

Collaborating on business strategy and growth planning, I also deliver support and training in account development, operational process optimisation, financial control and sales enablement.

I have 18 years of experience in finance and operations within creative, marketing and technology focussed businesses. My most recent being Head of Finance & Operations at Queryclick during its growth from £1.5-£4m.

When I’m not working, I spend as much time as possible with my wife and two children, and do a miminum of 2 crossfit workouts every week

Sarah O'Neill

Marketing Manager

As Marketing Manager for Waypoint Partners, I am passionate about showcasing our brand, values and capabilities to the world.

Having worked in marketing and events for various financial companies and agencies, I am an experienced all-round marketer with a penchant for multi-tasking.

Whether it be running events, digital campaigns or PR promotions, my goal is to support the Waypoint team to drive brand awareness and showcase the fantastic work that we do for our clients.

Jonathan Fielden

Associate

As an Associate at Waypoint Partners I help the team with M&A and growth advisory engagements.

I joined Waypoint from Sydney, Australia. My background is as a corporate finance professional in leading professional services firms Ernst & Young & Crowe Horwath (CCW in the United Kingdom). Having completed my chartered accounting exams, I have experience across a range of buy and sell side mandates in the Australian market.

Outside of work I am generally either traveling somewhere new, watching/ playing sport or attending a gig.

Abby Bayliss

Senior Analyst

As a senior analyst at Waypoint I work on both growth advisory and Corporate finance engagements. My key responsibilities include data analysis, financial reviews, research and project management. I am also working towards the ACA qualification.

Prior to joining Waypoint, I worked in M&A and Private Equity at RSM, supporting SME’s on largely sell-side transactions. I have also spent time working across various Compliance and Financial Crime divisions whilst on the Barclays Compliance graduate programme.

Outside of work, I enjoy trying out new spin studios, running, or planning my next travel adventure.

Naomi Wai

Senior Analyst

As a Senior Analyst at Waypoint, I focus on corporate finance engagements, responsible for research and analysis, financial modelling, preparation of key marketing documents, due diligence and project management. I also have experience in growth advisory at Waypoint.

I hold a Master degree in Finance and Accounting and have passed the CFA Level I.

Outside of work, I enjoy travelling and exploring new places, love a good walk / hike on the country side.

Junwei Pan

Analyst

As an Analyst at Waypoint Partners, I help the team with M&A and growth advisory engagements.

Before joining Waypoint, I was a private equity analyst at Timberwind Capital. My past buy side experience is a valuable asset to our clients, when I explain to them the mindset of a typical financial buyer, and more importantly, how to present themselves with a clear exit strategy in mind.

I am a big fan of modern art. With Freudian psychology and psychoanalysis training back in college, I perceive modern art as a revolt against suppression and a pursuit of freedom

Chloe Smith

Partners' Assistant

As Partners’ Assistant at Waypoint Partners, my foremost responsibility is to assist and support the Partners with all PA and administrative duties. Ensuring that the Partners have as much time as possible to spend on our clients.

Prior to joining Waypoint Partners, I worked for an international fashion recruitment consultancy in the capacity of PA and Office Manager, and before this, for a leading European supply chain solutions provider.

Having always been interested in all things creative, outside of work I enjoy the theatre, visiting exhibitions at the V&A and am currently re-learning the piano after many years of neglection!

Sol Welch

Sales & Marketing Assistant

As a Sales & Marketing Assistant at Waypoint Partners, I work with both the marketing and wider teams to drive brand awareness.

Experienced in social media management, content creation and local marketing. I am currently working towards my Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing.

I enjoy keeping physically fit, regularly running, doing HIIT sessions or Boxing to see how far I can push myself. The rest of my ‘free time’ is spent building the brand of my family owned hair salon; thinking of innovative ways to implement strategies that work in the local marketing ecosystem.

Martin Palethorpe

Board Advisor

Board Adviser to Waypoint Partners, I also run my own executive performance consultancy, the Pragma Group. I’m an experienced Executive Coach and mentor.

Over the years I’ve worked with senior leaders and boards of many of the Europe’s leading companies and have some really great clients in the marcoms, retail and technology sectors. I have a deep-rooted passion for inspiring leaders to develop themselves and their organisations to maximise long-term sustainable business performance. I provide revolutionary training in human psychology, allowing leaders to literally transform how they think and operate – this is at the core of my work.

I’m married with two children and live close to the sea. I generally love sport, adventure and travel. I’m an ultra-marathon runner and a wannabe yoga teacher.

Vulric Wolfdog

The Office Dog

Vulric is a boisterous, friendly and switched on puppy, he knows how to work the crowd and make an entrance.

Wolfdogs are known for being a challenging breed that requires continuous training and a lot of time to be dedicated to their physical and mental stimulation in order to make them thrive, and Vulric is no exception.

Vulric was introduced to the office environment at an early age and can pull off a long working day when needed – he laps up the attention and we love giving it to him.

Much like we have our eye on the next deal, Vulric’s eye is firmly on where the next treat will come from, he is partial to a squeaky toy, but his most favourite thing of all is a conference call – he was born for the spotlight.