A SPECIALIST corporate finance house says it is expecting to see increased private equity interest in the region as national businesses seek to grow through acquisition.

With signs of overall improvement in the corporate finance market the Newcastle office of BTG Corporate Finance has added a new member to its four-strong team.

The Collingwood Street-based operation has recruited Thomas Brunsnes as corporate finance executive and promoted Chris McCourt to assistant director.

Shawn Bone, partner at BTG Corporate Finance, Newcastle, said: “We are seeing a slow, but steady improvement in the market and particularly increased demand for distressed mergers and acquisitions.

“These latest appointments further build on the expertise of our experienced team in the North East, and continue our nationwide strategy of investing in our regional corporate finance teams, enabling us to deliver high-quality advisory solutions to clients nationwide.”

McCourt joined the firm in May 2007 and has worked on a wide range of lead advisory and transaction services projects, including private company disposals, venture capital finance raising and due diligence in sectors including healthcare, technology and retail.

He has more than six years’ experience in corporate finance having worked in public sector assurance in Newcastle before specialising in transaction services.

Brunsnes joins from BDO in Birmingham where he spent three years as a corporate finance executive working in a variety of sectors.

He has experience across the full spectrum of corporate finance work including lead advisory, distressed M&A, financial due diligence and private equity.