New boutique integrated services firm launched in the City

A new boutique firm has launched in the City that integrates legal, finance and conflict resolution services.

Ali Professional Services Group (Ali PSG) will deliver joined-up legal and finance advice on mergers and acquisition (M&A), capital markets, investment and fundraising transactions involving high-growth businesses throughout the UK.

The firm was co-founded by CEO and head of legal services Akbar Ali (pictured, centre), along with Adnan Sajid (pictured, right), head of corporate finance, and Alexander Dunlop (pictured, left), head of conflict resolutions and is headquartered on Bishopsgate.

CEO Ali has led teams providing advice on a range of mid-market corporate transactions across a wide range of sectors, from healthcare to cross-border professional services M&A deals.

Sajid joined Ali PSG from accountants UHY Hacker Young, where he was a corporate finance partner. He has more than 20 years’ experience in private equity transactions.

Dunlop is a conflict resolution specialist. He provides pre-emptive advice to clients at transaction stage and supports parties post-completion where long-term expectations do not align. The conflict resolution and HR advisory practice also works with a number of governmental and public sector bodies.

Ali said: “What makes Ali PSG different from most dealmaking firms is our joined-up legal and finance offering. This means both of the crucial elements of a client’s transaction are delivered in tandem, making for a quicker, smoother experience”.

He added: “Buying, selling or investing in a business should be a positive experience. By integrating the main areas of advice Ali PSG makes the whole process clearer, faster and less stressful, enabling clients to focus on their real priorities rather than the minutiae of getting a deal over the line.”

Commenting on the firm’s conflict resolution arm: “We are unique because we integrate conflict resolution into that offering. We have seen the issues that can occur in the aftermath of corporate transactions, and are able to use this expertise to structure deals in a way that pre-empts disputes and minimises the chances of conflict further down the line”.

The firm has employed three fee earners and plans to increase its headcount to ten by early 2022, with plans for rapid growth.

Ali PSG is structured as a limited company rather than a traditional limited liability partnership model. Ali said the structure was chosen to provide greater transparency and flexibility: “The partnership model can be opaque and result in complex structures of ownership and governance. Starting with a blank sheet of paper, a limited company was the obvious choice for us.

“It will enable us to grow nimbly, rewarding staff with share option schemes as appropriate and also giving us simpler access to any external capital we might require as we implement our business plan.

“This structure should also give clients and business partners the confidence that not only do we provide a professional service but we do so as a transparent, professionally run business.”