McQueen, the leading specialist corporate finance advisory firm focussed solely on the Consumer sectors, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jane Hughes as a Managing Director to head its retail industry practice.  

Jane was instrumental in developing PwC’s National Retail and Branded Goods Team to a leadership position in the mid-market sector league tables.  This appointment is an important strategic development for McQueen as it invests in its capabilities across the Consumer sectors and demonstrates its commitment to strengthening its advisory practice in the retail sector.

Jane qualified as a Chartered Accountant at Price Waterhouse in 1991 before transferring to work with their Corporate Recovery team between 1991 and 1996. In 1997 she joined the Corporate Finance team and then moved in 2000 to Leeds when the PwC National Retail and Branded Goods Team was established. In 2004 she moved to head the team in London.

Jane has been one of the most active bankers in the sector over the last seven years working on over 30 transactions for clients across all sectors of the retail industry.  These include advising Phase Eight (IBO), Caffe Nero (Rule 3 advisor on public to private), Hillarys Blinds (disposal), Ethel Austin (IBO disposal to secondary buyout), Tesco (disposals) and Early Learning Centre (acquisition).

Jane Hughes commented:

“McQueen has established itself as a leading advisor in consumer related sectors with an excellent franchise of blue chip clients.   I look forward to working with my new colleagues to help build on this success as we further develop our retail business.  The retail market continues to undergo rapid development and we are strongly placed to provide truly independent advice rooted in our vast experience of the sector.”

Clive Baker, Managing Director at McQueen, commented:

“We are delighted to welcome Jane to McQueen.  She is one of the most experienced advisors in the sector with a  wealth of experience and relationships on which to draw.  This important appointment demonstrates our commitment to building the UK’s leading advisory practice in the retail industry.”