Chris is the founding partner and CEO of Ciesco. He has over 25 years of experience in media, marketing and technology and has lived and worked in London, New York and Brussels. Throughout his career he has worked with management teams and businesses globally.

Prior to setting up Ciesco, Chris has held senior regional positions at some of the leading companies within the sector. He was the Global Head of M&A for McCann WorldGroup, the Chief Operating Officer of EMEA for McCann Erickson and prior to joining McCann he had previously managed the North American Operations of Initiative Media and the International Operations of Foote Cone & Belding. He also gained exposure to working with some of the leading global brands, from the large auto groups such as Chrysler and General Motors to the technology giants, Samsung and Microsoft.

Chris is a practitioner from the industry having operated across all disciplines of digital, media and marketing, with specific sector experience in the technology-enabled media and marketing space. He has managed and evaluated hundreds of businesses across the globe during his corporate career. He is able to use the knowledge, experience and contacts this has brought him to the commercial advantage of Ciesco’s clients.

Zoja leads Ciesco’s activities in the German market. Zoja has held senior level positions within the industry across Advertising and Media, most recently he was the Group CEO of Dentsu Aegis Group Germany. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President Content Marketing at _wige Media AG, a technology and media company, where he was responsible for digital strategy and transformation management.

Zoja also held prominent roles at top organisations, such as CEO at DAVINCI Selectwork (part of Omnicom), Director Global Management at DaimlerChryslerMediaAlliance (JV with Omnicom), Head of TV at Optimedia (Publicis) and Group Head of Media Buying at Mediacom (WPP).

Colin is a strategic marketer and consultant with over thirty years’ experience working agency, client and consultancy side having built and managed blue-chip brands and businesses with an emphasis on commercial & financial planning, business development, marketing strategy and communications, and digital acceleration.

Colin has been involved in growing and selling advertising businesses throughout his career, and has proven ability and success in managing global client businesses, most significantly with Vodafone at WPP. He brings a wealth of capability and learning to the Ciesco team with his deep experience and understanding in building and managing agency resources to deliver best practice and profitability. Colin’s deep insights into agency and client thinking extends into multi categories and sectors on a global basis, including Technology, Mobile Telecommunications, Financial Services, Pharma & Healthcare, Leisure & Travel and FMCG.

David is a Partner at Ciesco. David brings a depth of strategic and operational finance experience from PE backed start-ups through to the best-known names in technology and innovation. He has a track record of delivering excellent commercial results through his financial insight and business partnering skills.

Prior to joining Ciesco, David was a Group CFO at AudioBoom. At AudioBoom he was a full board member responsible for financial strategy and reporting and led two successful public fund raise rounds totaling £7 million.

David’s previous roles include EMEA Director of Finance at WideOrbit, US Digital Technology company, where he was responsible for the launch of the EMEA region. David integrated 3 subsidiaries into the WideOrbit systems, acted as interim COO for the French subsidiary, including relocating the Paris office.

David also held senior Finance roles at Apple, Flashbay and Hewlett Packard.

As a Partner at Ciesco, Alan brings experience gained in a long and successful career combining time as an investment banker, a commercial Chief Financial/Operational Officer and effective Non-Executive Chairman.

Having raised funds for over 100 companies in public & private markets and taken the lead in numerous M&A transactions, Alan offers Ciesco clients an impressive range of contacts and a proven ability to bring assignments to a successful conclusion.

After graduating from Pembroke College Cambridge, Alan qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PwC. He then joined the world of investment banking and for the next 20 years he worked in equity research, capital markets and corporate finance roles for some of the UK’s best known mid-cap brokers as well as global banks.

The most recent phase of Alan’s career has involved working for a private equity group in a series of financial and operational roles for its international portfolio of businesses, and acting as NED and NEC with London listed business. Most recently he worked as the CFO of a newly established and rapidly growing sustainability services and solutions provider involving equity fundraising to support the group’s expansion & conducting 11 acquisitions across the UK, USA, Germany, UAE, China and the Philippines.

Aika is an Associate Director at Ciesco. Since joining the firm, Aika has been working on cross-border and domestic transactions. She has also been instrumental in the company’s origination efforts and contibuted to Ciesco’s market intelligence.

Ciesco clients benefit from Aika’s comprehensive understanding of the sectors, strong project management skills and timely and objective commercial and financial analysis that further informs M&A decision-making.

Aika holds an MSc degree in Accounting & Finance from London School of Economics and a BSc degree with Honours in Business Management from King’s College London.

Eliza is an Associate at Ciesco. Currently, she supports the dynamic team with in-depth financial, industry and marketing analyses using her quantitative and research skills acquired from both past internships and academic studies.

Eliza works within deal teams with clients supporting them at each stage of the M&A processes with commercial analysis, financial modelling and completion of the transactions.

Prior to joining the company, Eliza has gained her experience at Invenio Corporate Finance, Deloitte and B.B. Energy.

She graduated with an MSc in Finance and Accounting from Imperial Business School. She also holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Economics and Finance from Queen Mary University of London.

Jack provides deal support on M&A transactions with responsibilities including financial analysis, valuation and preparing deal documentation.

Prior to joining Ciesco, Jack gained experience working for a family office and a corporate finance boutique.

Jack graduated with a first-class MSc in Corporate Finance from Cass Business School and holds an MSc and BEng in Chemical Engineering.
Outside of work, Jack is a sports enthusiast and a dedicated Reading FC supporter.

In his spare time, he also enjoys travelling, motor racing and socialising with friends.

Rohan joined Ciesco as an Analyst. He currently supports the deal teams from the beginning of sourcing transactions to their execution with financial analysis and market intelligence.

Prior to joining Ciesco, Rohan interned at Stable Asset Management, working initially as a Summer Analyst and then as a Part-Time Analyst alongside his final year of studies.

Rohan graduated from the London School of Economics, achieving 1st Class Honours in a BSc in Philosophy and Economics.

Outside the office, Rohan is a keen golfer and tennis player, and he can also be found playing the piano or walking his dog.

Giordano recently joined Ciesco as an Analyst. He uses his strong financial analysis skills to provide deal support on M&A transactions. He works closely with the market intelligence team, using his research skills, to examine global M&A deal activity.

Before joining Ciesco, Giordano gained experience as a Financial Analyst in a Tech start-up.

Giordano holds an MSc degree in Corporate Finance from Cass Business School and a BSc degree with Honours in Banking and Finance from London Metropolitan University.

During his free time, Giordano plays football and tennis. He is also an amateur chef and food enthusiast.

Mukhtarr recently joined Ciesco as an Analyst. He provides deal support throughout the M&A transaction cycle from origination to execution. Prior to Ciesco, he was part of the Valuations Modelling & Economics (VME) team at EY, focusing on financial services clients.

Mukhtarr holds an MSc Finance from the London School of Economics and a BSc Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University. He is also a qualified accountant with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Outside of work, he enjoys playing sports (golf and football), cooking, and hiking adventures around the UK.

Annabelle is an Executive Assistant and Office Administrator at Ciesco. She has a wealth of experience and knowledge working closely with other Ciesco team members, Clients and Suppliers ensuring effective operational process.

She manages the day-to-day running of the office and supports the team ensuring that any administrative tasks are carefully carried out to assist in business management, origination and M&A execution.

Prior to joining Ciesco, Annabelle gained experience at Sifcon International Plc and Quilter Financial Planning.

She holds an MA degree in English Literary Studies and a BA degree with Honours in English, both from the University of Exeter.

Sarah brings to Ciesco over 25 years’ experience of driving business growth through effective use of insight technology and creativity. Her most recent role was as Customer Director at Value Retail, the world leader in luxury outlet retailing, where she was responsible for Customer Insights, CRM and Customer Experience. Prior to that Sarah was Managing Director at a boutique marketing consultancy emnoss where she was responsible for rebuilding the business after the departure of the fonder as well as delivering high end consultancy projects for clients as diverse as Co-op, Waitrose, BP and Camelot.
Prior to that Sarah has worked in both client side and agency roles including a 14 year spell in Wunderman UK in a variety of roles which culminated in her operating for nearly four years as their COO.