OUR PEOPLE
Listed by last name in alphabetical order
Iiro Aalto Setälä
Partner
Helsinki
Iiro is one of Aalto Capital’s senior partners and has extensive experience in investment banking management positions for more than 30 years. He has executed numerous M&A transactions, financing transactions and IPOs. Iiro has experience from PCA Corporate Finance, PwC Corporate Finance, Lehman Brothers and KOP. Iiro holds a LL.M. with court training from University of Helsinki and an MBA.
Hans Jørgen Bentzen
Partner
Oslo
Hans Jørgen has extensive experience from M&A, corporate finance, IT-management and management consulting from the IT/tech, telecommunications, retail and travel industry. Prior to co-founding the Oslo office of Aalto Capital (Incepto) in 2007 he worked at McKinsey & Co, Avenir and ICA/Hakon group. He holds a M.Sc. degree in Electrical engineering from ETH Zürich and completed his masters thesis on software radios as a visiting scholar at MIT in Boston.
Krzysztof Bobrowski
Partner
London
Krzysztof has more than 20 years of successful executive experience including CEO experience in PE-backed and in publicly listed companies with exposure to capital raising and M&A. He also acts as a private investor.
Martine Brechter
Associate
London
Martine is from New York. She completed an honours degree in Physics at the University of St Andrews. During her time at university, she interned at Aalto Capital and the fund administrator, Heptagon Capital. Martine wrote her dissertation on graphene as a transparent contact for solar cells and other optoelectronic devices. She also co-founded Operation Smile in conjunction with a nonprofit organisation that sends doctors to developing countries.
Gianmario Calderini
Associate
Munich
Gianmario graduated at Bocconi University (Milan, Italy) with a BSc in Finance and a MSc in Management major in Corporate Finance). He is currently pursuing the CFA exam (Level 1 achieved). He also studied at SGH Warsaw School of Economics for a fall semester Exchange Program. Gianmario started his career at Unicredit Bank of Ireland in Dublin, then he moved to Grant Thornton in 2019 as Risk Consultant. In 2020 he started a role as Equity Research Analyst for Bloomberg at Infosys BPM. Gianmario joined Aalto Capital in 2022.
Knut Ola Evensen
Director
Oslo
Knut Ola has financial experience from EY (audit), SEB Merchant Banking (transactions), First Securities (fixed income) and Vaagen Asset Management. In addition, he has decade of industrial experience from real estate development across different segments. He holds a Masters degree in Business from NSM (BI) with a thesis on IT services and knowledge sharing in consulting firms.
Niels Fischer
Managing Partner
Zurich
Niels set up Fischer & Partner in Switzerland in 2000 after having worked for PwC in Switzerland as Tax Manager and after a three year assignment to Stockholm, Sweden, for the Swiss Federal Department of Defence. Niels graduated from Zurich University with a MA in Economics. He is a Certified Tax Expert and a full member of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners). In 2020 Niels founded the Zurich office of Aalto Capital.
Dag Friis-Baastad
Partner
Oslo
Dag has extensive experience from early stage M&A, entrepreneurship and management consulting in IT/tech/telecom/banking/fintech and ESG. Prior to Joining the Oslo office of Aalto Capital (Incepto) in 2011 he worked with Early stage SAAS Venture capital and private startups. He holds a Master degree in Business from The Norwegian School of Management ( BI) and did a dual specialization in Information Management and Entrepreneurship. Additional Master Program in Entrepreneurship with Cornell University, and worked part time in a High End Silicon Valley startup (South San Francisco).
Hamish Gordon
Associate
London
Hamish holds a BSc in Biology from the University of St Andrews and is a Chartered Accountant. He trained at Blick Rothenberg within the Financial Services Audit team, where he focused on alternative asset managers and funds. He subsequently worked in Restructuring, advising financially distressed companies and supporting clients through accelerated M&A processes. At Aalto Capital, Hamish assists in transaction execution, including financial modelling, preparation of investor materials, and full deal support
Tautvydas Grazevicius
Associate
Munich/Vilnius
After earning a BSc in Mathematics from Vilnius University, Tautvydas joined Norne Securities, an investment bank, where he served as a market maker (Oslo Børs Exchange). Prior to his tenure at Aalto Capital, he gained experience from one of the largest private debt funds in the Baltic States.
Pekka Halonen
Partner
Helsinki
Pekka is one of the senior partners of Aalto Capital and has extensive experience in investment banking management positions for more than 30 years. He has executed numerous M&A transactions, financing transactions and IPOs. He has previously worked for Proha, PCA Corporate Finance, Selin CF, Lehman Brothers and KOP. Pekka holds a LL.M. from University of Helsinki and an MBA.
Hector Hoffman
Analyst
London
Hector joined Aalto Capital in May of 2025, after graduating with a Bachelors in Business Management from TBS Education in Barcelona. During his time at university, he interned at Pzena, an asset manager focused on value investing. At university, specialised in Entrepreneurship and Business Development and has drawn on this experience during his time at Aalto Capital.
Susan Hoffmeister
Partner
Munich
Susan Hoffmeister started her career as Head of Corporate Communications for OSRAM in London. In 2011, she founded CROSS ALLIANCE, a leading agency for IR in Germany. She is a qualified supervisory board member of Deutsche Börse and works in this capacity at LEHNER INVESTMENTS. Susan joined Aalto Capital as Partner in 2017.
Svein Stavelin
Managing Partner
Oslo
Svein founded the Oslo office of Aalto Capital (Incepto) in 2007 after beeing a partner at Oaklins Norway. Svein has extensive experience from M&A and top management of both private and listed IT and Consulting companies for more than 30 years. He holds a M.Sc. degree in Computing Science from NTNU and a Business Economist degree from BI Norwegian Business School.
Michael Hough
Partner
London
Michael co-founded Apax Partners Corporate Finance; he and his partners sold the business in 2000. Michael stayed with the business, renamed Altium Capital, until 2005. Michael left to start Iceni Capital, a London-based PE fund and also became Chairman of Aurora Russia Investment Advisors in 2006. Michael has made investments in, and served on the Boards of a number of public and private companies. In 2019 he co-founded the London business of Aalto Capital.
Jonas Jokstys
Partner
Munich/Vilnius
Jonas worked as CEO and CFO in large capital groups in Lithuania for more than 12 years, before starting as a Partner with Aalto Capital in 2018. His core competence sectors are automotive, aviation, renewable energy, clothing retail and real estate. Jonas specializes M&A and debt market in the Baltic States and beyond. Jonas holds B.Sc. in Economics and Business from Stockholm School of Economics in Riga and M.Sc. from London School of Economics.
Jakob Järnblad
Partner
Stockholm
Jakob has over 20 years of experience in investment banking, having held senior management positions at institutions such as Swedbank, Stockholm Corporate Finance, and Avanza Bank. His career includes executing numerous mergers and acquisitions, financing deals, and initial public offerings (IPOs) across various industries. Jakob's versatile, industry-agnostic approach enables him to navigate complex transactions successfully, providing invaluable strategic insights to his clients. His extensive experience and proven track record have established him as a trusted advisor in corporate finance. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Lund.
Juan González de Mendoza Saguar
Director
London
Juan has an extensive track record in corporate development in the TMT
and tech-related insurance and lottery sectors in Europe.
He has held a number of executive board seats with Swedish lottery operators, including Ideella Spel AB and Spelparkeni Sverige AB, where he has specialised in providing strategy and management advice.
He has also successfully exited venture investments in India and Spain.
Henri Kiili
Director
Helsinki
Henri holds an M.Sc. (Econ.) from Aalto University School of Business. He rejoined Aalto Capital in 2022. Henri has broad experience from working with capital markets, M&A and strategy domains from previous positions – latest at F-Secure Corporation.
Lauri Lampi
Managing Partner
Helsinki
Lauri was educated at Helsinki School of Economics with a M.Sc. in Economics (Finance). He worked at PwC's Corporate Finance arm before founding Aalto Capital's Helsinki office with other partners in 2009. Lauri not only manages the Helsinki office, but is also closely involved in all merger and acquisition advisory within the group.
Dino Leidenberg
Associate
Munich
+49 1511 5576 766
Dino is a Chartered Accountant from South Africa with German/ Italian heritage.
He joined Aalto Capital in 2024 and previously worked at KPMG Johannesburg and Frankfurt where he specialized in Financial Audits within the Manufacturing, IT and Polymer industry.
Dino is fluent in German and is also pursuing the CFA charter.
Gerhard Luther
Partner
Munich
Gerhard worked as a banker in two regional banks Cassa di Risparmio Bolzano SPA and in Hypo Tirol Bank AG in South Tyrol. Later, he worked as a financial advisor for the Alpen Bank AG before joining Aalto Capital in 2020. His main tasks consist in maintaining and expanding the Italian business through client networking and developing new business opportunities.
Emilio Manso-Salinas
Partner
London
Emilio has worked across Europe and Asia. He is skilled in complex financial transactions, M&A, fund-raising, outsourcing and strategy particularly in the Technology space. Emilio has over 10 years experience in advisory, and over 15 years in senior executive positions with global champions.
Brandon Matthews
Senior Associate
London
Brandon is from Zimbabwe and graduated from the University of Cape Town with an honours degree in Finance. He is a CFA Level 2 candidate. Before joining Aalto, he worked at Bloomberg LP as an Equity Analyst in the Global Data Department. During school, he was a member of the Interact Society, which undertook various fundraising efforts to donate to different orphanages in Zimbabwe.
John McRoberts
Managing Partner
London
John set up Apax Partners Corporate Finance in Russia in 1998. The Firm was sold in 2000 and renamed Altium Capital. John remained at Altium until 2003 when he was appointed to set up Deloitte’s corporate finance advisory business in Moscow, becoming a Partner of the firm. In 2006, John listed the Russian PE fund, Aurora Russia, on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange which he managed until 2013. John has started and built a number of companies investing capital and managing the growth process. In 2019 John co-founded the London office of Aalto Capital.
Richard Montgomery
Partner
London
Richard is a 35-year veteran in the technology, telecoms, and communications infrastructure space. He served as an accomplished Senior Executive in one of America’s Fortune 15 companies, leading their International Business in EMEA and APAC. He is highly skilled in anticipating and positioning scaled businesses to meet disruptive market trends, and, complemented by his deep operational, sales and strategic planning capabilities, in achieving sustainable and significant top line / profitable growth in Europe’s largest markets.
Boqun Mu
Associate
Munich
Boqun graduated from EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht with a Msc. In Finance. She joined Aalto Capital upon graduation in 2019. Previous work experience includes an internship with Allianz investment management and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.
Sven Pauly
Director, Financial Reporting
Munich
Sven joined Aalto Capital in 2017. He holds a M.A. Corporate Communications/PR with major in financial communications. Sven specializes in Equity/Debt Investor Relations as well as Dual/Multiple IPOs, IBOs, and Listings. His experience spans about ten years of consulting engagements in various industries, such as financial services and private equity, industrial and consumer companies as well as pharmaceutical and media companies. At the beginning of his professional career, Sven spent more than 10 years in responsible positions in the production of television news and stock market programs at one of the largest European broadcasting groups.
Sara Pinto
Director, ESG & IR Advisory
Munich
Sara combines her international background with her passion for capital market and sustainability-related topics. After spending more than five years at FOCUS MONEY as Market Research Manager and developing an extensive B2B-experience, Sara started her carrer as IR-Consultant in 2019. She is the first contact person for sustainability strategy development, implementation of ESG criteria in corporate communications, and sustainability reporting.
Key Data on Sara´s education: MA in Business Administration & Management; Certified Environmental, Social and Governance Analyst CESGA (EFFAS); Language proficiency: Italian (mother tongue), German, English, Spanish.
Erlend Reitan
Associate
Oslo
M&A specialist with experience from complex cross-border transactions. Experience from more than 20 M&A transactions including more than 10 cross-border deals, exits with mainly publicly listed and Private Equity counterparts.
Helmut Stichlmair
Partner
Munich
Helmut was, in former times, a banker at the Vereinsbank (curreltly Unicredit) as well as at the private bank Bankhaus Reuschel (currently DonnerReuschel - a subsidiary of SignalIduna, a big insurance group in Germany). Helmut, graduated in business administration, was the founder of PPO GmbH, a consulting company specialized to insurance companies / pensions funds like Munich Re, Allianz, Bayerische Versorgungskammer etc. In 2012 Helmut founded together with Manfred SCALA Corporate Finance, later on Aalto Capital in Munich.
Manfred Steinbeisser
Managing Partner
Munich
Manfred started his career as a professional sports coach prior to joining the financial services industry, where he rapidly rose through the ranks in both the German and European debt markets. In 2011, Manfred and partners opened Aalto Capital's Munich office, which has subsequently gone from strength to strength. He leads the Munich office, and has been very successful in raising public and private debt for his clients. He is also responsible for the entire Debt & Capital Markets Advisory team across all Aalto Capital offices.
Ari Tamminen
Partner / CFO
Helsinki
Ari is the CFO of Aalto Capital Helsinki and one of Aalto Capital’s partners. He has over 30 years experience in retail managing and investment banking operations. Ari has previously worked as an independent entrepreneur and for PCA Corporate Finance and Kansallis Bank.
Kristian Tasala
Managing Partner
Stockholm
Kristian brings over a decade of experience in investment banking, having led General Electric's mergers and acquisitions across the Nordics and Baltics and serving as a Partner at Stockholm Corporate Finance for six years. His career includes executing numerous IPOs, capital raises, and mergers and acquisitions throughout the Nordic region. Kristian's versatile, industry-agnostic approach allows him to navigate complex transactions across diverse sectors, including real estate, technology, life sciences, materials, mining, and shipping. His strategic insights and deep market understanding make him a trusted advisor in corporate finance. He holds a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management from the University of Linköping.
Krzys Werkun
Partner
London
Krzys is a 25-year veteran investment banker from Europe and Asia. He has a great passion for disruptive technology companies, complex transactions and fundraising, and has decades of experience over hundreds of deals placing investors into global growth companies. He is a proud Wharton grad and worked in three global tier 1 investment banks in San Francisco, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Jakarta, and co-founded a nationally leading Chinese investment bank.
Please contact us:
LONDON: uk@aaltocapital.com
MUNICH: germany@aaltocapital.com
HELSINKI: finland@aaltocapital.com
OSLO: info@aaltocapital.no
STOCKHOLM: kristian.tasala@aaltocapital.com
ZURICH: info@aaltocapital.ch
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