Corporate Finance
Strategic Advisory
Independent corporate finance counsel on transformational decisions.
Corporate Finance
Transaction and capital advisory across the investment lifecycle.
Overview
How we help.
Strategic decisions — whether to sell, buy, demerge, recapitalise or stay the course — are often the most consequential choices a board will make. They warrant independent analysis that is not conflicted by transaction fees or incumbent banking relationships.
Corson Fiske provides independent strategic advisory work to boards and shareholders contemplating major decisions. Our role is to stress-test the options, quantify the trade-offs and give the board a clear view of what each path realistically delivers.
Because we are not chasing execution fees, our advice on whether to transact is genuinely independent. That matters when the right answer is sometimes “not now”.
Capabilities
- Strategic and portfolio reviews
- Capital structure and shareholder value analysis
- Independent expert and fairness opinions
- Defence advisory in unsolicited situations
- Sale readiness assessments
- Valuation and scenario analysis
- Board advisory on transaction strategy
- Pre-mandate advisory prior to bank appointments
Client Situations
When clients engage us.
The issues that bring clients through our door tend to fall into familiar patterns.
An unsolicited approach has been received
An approach from a potential acquirer needs to be assessed and responded to strategically.
A portfolio review is required
The board wants an independent view on which businesses should be kept, grown, divested or wound down.
A fairness opinion is needed
A related-party or complex transaction requires an independent expert opinion.
A sale is being contemplated
Owners are considering a sale within 12-24 months and want to understand what it will take to maximise value.
An unsolicited approach has been received
A potential acquirer has made contact. The board needs independent counsel on whether, when and how to respond.
A facility is approaching maturity
An existing debt facility is due for refinancing and the terms achievable in the current market need to be assessed independently.
Outcomes
What you can expect.
- A clear recommendation backed by rigorous analysis
- Defensible valuations and scenario modelling
- Strategic clarity before transaction processes commence
- Independent perspective free of execution-fee conflicts
Client Success
Outcomes from recent engagements.
Indicative results from engagements within this practice area. Client details have been anonymised; outcomes reflect actual matters completed by the firm.
$95M
Transaction Closed
Sell-side M&A
Led a competitive sell-side process for a family-owned industrial business, achieving a $95M transaction with strategic trade buyer.
Industrial business
$28M
Capital Raised
Growth capital
Arranged $28M of senior and mezzanine capital for a healthcare group’s multi-site acquisition program.
Healthcare group
1.4x EBITDA
Valuation Uplift
Sale readiness
Delivered an 18-month sale readiness program that lifted the valuation multiple from 4.2x to 5.6x EBITDA at completion.
Wholesale distributor
Why Corson Fiske
Experience where it counts.
Clients engage Corson Fiske because they need advice they can act on — delivered by senior practitioners who understand both the technical detail and the commercial consequences. Every engagement is led by a partner with direct experience in corporate finance transactions.
Our integrated structure means tax, legal, accounting and advisory questions are resolved within a single firm. For clients operating across Australia, Asia, New Zealand or Asia, our office network in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Singapore and Auckland provides consistent advice across jurisdictions.
Our Approach
A refined four-phase method for every engagement.
Corson Fiske applies the same disciplined framework to every matter, regardless of scale. The phases below are not a marketing device — they are the actual structure our partners use to move clients from uncertainty to resolution.
Phase One
01
Understand
A confidential partner-led briefing to establish the facts, commercial drivers, timing pressures and stakeholder dynamics.
- Confidential scoping conversation
- Document and data review
- Stakeholder mapping
- Initial risk identification
Phase Two
02
Analyse
Structured technical and commercial analysis of every realistic option, with a clear view of risks, costs and likely outcomes.
- Technical legal and tax analysis
- Commercial modelling
- Risk-weighted options assessment
- Precedent and market benchmarking
Phase Three
03
Recommend
A written partner recommendation in plain English — not a list of caveats. We stand behind our advice and explain our reasoning.
- Clear written recommendation
- Implementation sequencing
- Stakeholder communication plan
- Contingency and fallback positions
Phase Four
04
Execute
Hands-on delivery of the agreed plan with partner oversight, regular milestone reporting and clear handback at completion.
- Implementation leadership
- Stakeholder engagement
- Milestone tracking and reporting
- Completion review and handback
Key Considerations
What clients need to know.
Engaging external advisors on any significant matter raises practical questions about scope, timing, cost and outcomes. We believe in being straightforward about each of these from the first conversation.
How engagements typically begin
Every engagement starts with a confidential initial conversation — usually 30 to 60 minutes — in which we listen to the situation, ask the questions needed to understand it properly, and share a view on whether and how we can help. There is no charge for this conversation and no obligation to proceed.
How we scope and price work
We prefer fixed-fee or capped-fee arrangements wherever the scope allows. Where the scope is genuinely uncertain — as in contested matters — we agree hourly rates upfront and provide regular fee updates against defined phases. We do not bill for internal discussions, file opening or routine administration.
Who you will work with
Every engagement is led by a partner with direct experience in the matter type. That partner remains your primary point of contact throughout. Specialist colleagues join the team where their expertise is required, but you will never be passed from person to person or find the partner you hired is no longer on the file.
How we handle confidentiality and privilege
All engagements are subject to strict confidentiality. Where legal advice is being delivered, it is provided through our incorporated legal practice and attracts legal professional privilege. We take document security, information handling and communications discipline seriously on every matter.
Get the right advice from Corson Fiske.
Confidential, no-obligation initial consultations with a partner who specialises in corporate finance transactions.