Stephens Investment Banking Hires Mark H. Belford as Managing Director in the Consumer and Retail Group

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Stephens, an independent financial services firm, announced today the hiring of Mark H. Belford as Managing Director in the Consumer and Retail Group of its Investment Banking division.

With over 25 years of experience, Mr. Belford’s practice is focused on the Consumer Products & Services, e-Commerce and Specialty Retail & Apparel sectors. Prior to joining Stephens, he was a Managing Director and Co-Head of Consumer and Retail in the Investment Banking group at KPMG. He has also served as Managing Director at Janney Montgomery Scott after starting his career at J.P. Morgan. Mr. Belford graduated from Emory University with a degree in Economics.

“We are very excited to welcome Mark to our Consumer team,” said Brad Eichler, Executive Vice President, Head of Investment Banking. “In addition to being a great cultural fit, his expertise in advising middle market clients in the consumer and retail sectors complements our existing competencies, and strengthens our efforts in market segments like personal care. We are particularly pleased about Mark’s experience in the beauty and skin care space and his emphasis on independent brands. This fast-growing industry is expected to reach $760 Billion in the US by 2026 and is an important area for our firm.”

When discussing the market and opportunities, Mr. Belford added: “The current marketplace for independent brands is highly fragmented, innovation-driven, and benefits from healthy margins in the premium and luxury categories. In addition, global beauty and consumer products companies are increasingly using M&A as a fast-track method to augment, or sometimes replace, their internal product development efforts. There is ample opportunity and runway in this space. Therefore, I am eager to begin collaborating with my colleagues at Stephens to provide our clients, existing and new, with unparalleled, strategic advice that will create value. I am thrilled to be joining a firm that truly values relationships, camaraderie and doing what is right.”

Mr. Belford will be based in New York City.

About Stephens Inc.

Stephens Inc. is an independent financial services firm headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. Since its inception in 1933, privately held Stephens Inc. has served a broad client base which includes corporations, state and local governments, financial institutions, institutional investors and individual investors throughout the United States and overseas. For more information, visit www.stephens.com. Member NYSE, SIPC