William Blair Continues Investment Banking Growth With Financial Services Managing Director

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--William Blair, the premier global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management, today announced the addition of Derek Smith as managing director to the firm’s Financial Services practice in Chicago. He will focus on merger-and-acquisition and capital-raising transactions for public and private companies in the insurance industry.

“I’m excited to welcome Derek to our Financial Services team, deepening our bench of committed sector professionals,” said Britt Trukenbrod, managing director and head of Tech Enabled Services at William Blair. “Derek’s distinct combination of investment banking and operating experience across the insurance industry will complement our existing leading capabilities and our ability to continue to deliver successful outcomes for our clients.”

Derek brings nearly two decades of insurance expertise to William Blair across the full range of investment banking advisory and capital raising services. Before joining William Blair, Derek was a managing director in the insurance investment banking group at Waller Helms Advisors. He also previously worked at CNA Insurance, Macquarie Capital, and General Electric. Derek graduated from the University of Notre Dame and earned his M.B.A. from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.

“I am honored to join this talented group of bankers and partner with the William Blair team to grow our financial services franchise,” Smith said. “William Blair has an incredible platform and unparalleled client roster, and I look forward to contributing to the firm’s continued success.”

Earlier this year, William Blair grew its Private Capital Advisory investment banking group with the additions of managing director Daniel Budde in Boston, managing director Tom Lewis in London, and director Silke Wood in Zurich.

About William Blair Investment Banking

William Blair’s investment banking group enables corporations, financial sponsors, and owner/entrepreneurs around the world to achieve their growth, liquidity, and financing objectives. Drawing on the collective intellectual capital and deep sector expertise of a global team that reaches over 20 cities on four continents, the investment banking group brings a rigorous and innovative approach to corporate board advisory projects, mergers and acquisitions, and equity and debt financing. From July 2019 to June 2024, the team advised on more than $770 billion in completed transaction volume.

About William Blair

William Blair is the premier global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management. We provide advisory services, strategies, and solutions to meet our clients’ evolving needs. As an independent and employee-owned firm, together with our strategic partners, we operate in more than 20 offices worldwide.*

*Includes strategic partnerships with Allier Capital, BDA Partners, and Poalim Capital Markets.