Duff & Phelps is a premier independent advisor with expertise in the areas of valuation, corporate finance, disputes
and investigations, compliance and
regulatory matters, and other governance-related issues. “Our clients
include publicly traded and privately
held companies, law firms, government entities and investment organizations such as private equity firms
and hedge funds,” says Jake Silverman, President of Duff & Phelps.
“We also advise the world’s leading
standard setting bodies on valuation issues and best practices. The
success of our firm depends on the
integrity of our work and the professionalism and skill of our employees
across the world. By staying true to
these priorities, we’re confident that
our best days are ahead of us.” Silverman sat down with Consulting to
discuss the firm’s performance.
Consulting: What were the
main factors that contributed
to your firm’s growth?
Silverman: Our valuation-oriented
services and independence are key
differentiators for us, especially in
this era of ever-increasing complexity in the capital markets. With this
has come a corresponding need for
our breadth of services and technical
expertise, particularly with compliance and regulatory consulting in
the financial services community.
Compliance consulting, coupled
with our litigation and investigation
expertise, have been major contribu-
tors to our growth.
Consulting: How is this year
shaping up for your firm?
Silverman: We have expanded the
firm with strategic hires—more than
20 new managing directors have
joined this year. And we have grown
with geographic and service line
expansion—particularly outside of
the U.S. in Europe, Asia and Latin
America. The core trends driving
our business remain robust, including continued calls for enhanced
transparency in the capital markets,
regulatory reform/uncertainty, and
cyber and related incidents.
Consulting: Where do you see
the most opportunities?
Silverman: As the leading providing of valuation for complex,
illiquid assets we have a foundation from which we can pursue
complementary opportunities in
compliance and regulatory consulting, disputes and investigations and corporate finance. We
further anticipate ongoing international growth opportunities—both
organic and acquisitive.
Consulting: What would you
say are your firm’s biggest
challenges in 2018?
Silverman: As with every financial
services firm, we always keep our
eye on the global economy. While
the recovery has allowed for growth
globally, we need to make sure we're
well positioned if that changes. That
means continuing to integrate our
investments in new talent and bolt-
on acquisitions. We are also invest-
ing in new technology aimed at en-
suring a more efficient, focused and
dynamic enterprise across the globe.
Consulting: What does being
named one of Consulting’s
Fastest Growing Firms mean
to your firm, your employees
and your clients?
Silverman: Our dedicated employees come to work every day and
focus tirelessly and with great passion on client engagements and the
firm’s operations. External recognition for these efforts has a powerful, validating effect, and we are
thrilled that our employees are getting the recognition they deserve.
DUFF & PHELPS
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