Andrew Balnaves

Finance executive with 17 years investment banking experience having closed emerging market mergers and acquisitions deals with a combined value over $10bn and raised $1bn of equity capital through private placements, IPOs and rights offers. Core competency of providing strategic advice to executive teams and Boards, guiding them through transformational corporate events. Commercial exposure across a variety of sectors.

Thrive when executing complex projects that require strategic forethought, intricate project management and advanced financial analysis. Naturally curious mind that has been scientifically trained for analytical problem solving. Highly adaptable team member, having excelled in pioneering scientific research, academic teaching, financial due diligence and investment banking.

Head, Oil & Gas Advisory at Standard Bank (2023-03 – 2025-10)

• Responsible for oil and gas advisory product positioning and cross-functional collaboration.
• Positioned product in the market following strategic review
• Responsible for cross product and divisional collaboration

Head, Advisory Africa Regions at Standard Bank (2019-09 – 2023-03)

• Led platform of advisory teams across multiple African countries with responsibility for business development and management reporting.
• Led platform of teams based in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Angola
• Guided business to generate highest ever revenue result in 2022
• Africa Regions management committee member providing matrix reporting updates to Global Head of M&A and Head of Investment Banking Africa Regions

Co-Head, Advisory South Africa at Standard Bank (2017-09 – 2019-09)

• Co-led large investment banking advisory team with full P&L, strategic positioning, talent development and operational responsibilities.
• Co-led team of 35 investment bankers
• Implemented revised strategic positioning of the team following review with the Boston Consulting Group
• South African management committee member providing matrix financial and operational reporting updates to Global Head of M&A and Head of Investment Banking South Africa
• Responsible for team financial performance, cross product and divisional collaboration, deal origination, mandate selection and structuring, recruitment, appraisals, promotions, renumeration and marketing
• Identified, mentored and developed talent

Analyst / Associate / Vice President / Executive Vice President at Standard Bank (2008-08 – 2017-09)

• Rapid career progression through investment banking advisory, building financial models and infrastructure for global business.
• Rapid promotion through ranks, achieving role of Executive Vice President by January 2015
• Acted as team staffer when Vice President
• Built the financial models and template infrastructure for the Global Advisory business

Graduate at KPMG, Private Equity Group (2005-09 – 2008-07)

• Financial due diligence and audit experience in private equity sector.
• Six months auditing middle market companies
• Undertook financial due diligence for leading European Private Equity Firms across Europe and Scandinavian

Teacher at Merchant Taylors' Boys School (2002-09 – 2005-06)

• Secondary school educator teaching chemistry at GCSE and A-level.
• GCSE and A-level teacher with responsibilities as a sixth form tutor

Post Graduate Certificate in Education in Education – The University of Manchester (2002-06)

Post-Doctoral Associate in Chemistry – The University of Manchester (2001-08)

Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry – The University of Birmingham (2000-07)

BSc (Hons) in Chemistry – The University of Birmingham (1996-07)

Advanced Level in Chemistry, Maths, Physics – Hereford Sixth Form College (1992-07)