About Us

Ali is a Big 4 trained ACA and a member of the ICAEW. Ali has over 15 years experience in finance, initially starting his career at KPMG. Since then he has developed a strong career within industry working in a range of sectors, including Software, Financial Services, Investment Banking, Technology, Payments, and Healthcare.

• Over 15 years of diverse and progressive finance experience across PE backed and Corporate businesses.
• Strong experience, and a keen interest in the analysis and interpretation of the key drivers of value, supporting organic and M&A growth.
• Strong experience in Buy and Build, Refinancing, and Exit transactions. Buyside transactions ranging from £10m-£500m, and supported 3 Exit processes (mixture of Trade and PE).
• Leveraging his experience and becoming a trusted advisor supporting management and investors in value creation and growth in entrepreneurial, high growth business environments.

As a veteran private equity, M&A and corporate finance expert with 25-years of experience, Saim provides overall strategic guidance and input to ARA and its clients.

Saim is the Managing Partner of Prospera Capital Partners, a London-based M&A and Corporate Finance Advisory firm focused on mid-market transactions.  He started his career at J.P.Morgan’s Investment Banking Group in New York.  After J.P.Morgan, Saim worked at industry leading institutions including The Carlyle Group and PineBridge Investments, where he originated and executed private equity and M&A transactions as well as debt and equity financings.  During his career, Saim completed more than 30 transactions worth over $25 billion.

Saim also served on the board of directors of more than 10 companies with a focus on implementing growth, value creation and exit initiatives.

Saim was educated at Northwestern University (USA) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and Economics.

Denis is a CFA Charterholder and seasoned investment banker with 12 years of experience in leading complex transactions from beginning to end at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and BNP Paribas.

• Denis is experienced in delivering results across various sectors, with his primary focus being on transactions in Banking, FinTech, Wealth & Asset management across Corporates and Private Equity backed businesses.
• He has a solid track record in originating and executing M&A, capital raising, and providing strategic financial advice for transactions. As part of his transaction experience, Denis advised C-level executives on transaction readiness and prepared all required documentation, such as Teaser and Information Memorandum, assessed investor attractiveness, ensured business plan readiness, and managed many other aspects of M&A transactions.
• Denis has a solid track record in both buy-side and sell-side transactions, with a focus on managing valuation expectations and understanding investor views on valuation.
• Denis graduated from Bocconi University with an MSc in Finance and also holds a CFA qualification.
• A natural leader with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, Denis has the ability to build strong relationships with investors, management, and other stakeholders alike.