XB Advisors LLC

Global Deal Sourcing
for Private Equity
Portfolio Companies

Former Big 4 M&A partners and operating executives, connecting private equity portfolio companies with U.S. and cross-border mid-market acquisition opportunities.

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Who We Are

Seasoned M&A Professionals with a Global Reach

We are former Big 4 firm M&A partners and operating executives, each with extensive global experience working with private equity firms. Our team brings decades of hands-on deal expertise and deep relationships across the world's most active mid-market M&A corridors.

XB Advisors was built on the belief that the best cross-border deals are won through trusted local relationships — not databases. We combine senior judgment with a rigorously curated global network to deliver proprietary, actionable deal flow for our private equity clients and their portfolio companies.

Sydney skyline across the harbour
Sydney — Home to XB Advisors' Asia-Pacific operations.
What We Do

Global Deal Sourcing for PE Portfolio Companies

We work with private equity firms and their portfolio company executives to understand their U.S. and/or foreign market acquisition objectives and plans.

01

Global Deal Sourcing

We source mid-market deals for private equity portfolio companies actively pursuing growth via acquisitions in the U.S. or foreign markets.

02

Acquisition Planning

Working alongside portfolio company executives, we develop tailored deal sourcing plans — understanding their objectives, acquisition criteria, and target market(s).

03

Global Network & Introduction

In foreign markets, we typically leverage our global network of senior sourcing advisors, identifying potential targets and arranging local introductions — turning relationships into actionable deal flow.

Our Global Network

A Curated Network of Senior Deal Professionals

Our Global Sourcing Advisors (GSAs) are seasoned deal professionals with deep region- and country-specific knowledge and strong local relationships. They are typically current or former M&A professionals at Big 4 firms' corporate finance groups or boutique investment banks.

  • 01Big 4 firm professionals, including global and local market leaders
  • 02Global M&A practices of Big 4 and other international accounting firms
  • 03Boutique, middle market, and bulge bracket investment banking firms
  • 04Region- and country-specific experienced M&A professionals
  • 05Knowledgeable industry experts across targeted sectors

Continuously Expanding

We continue to build our network on a country-by-country basis by bringing on additional local GSAs to lead our deal sourcing activities in portfolio companies' targeted markets.

GSAs are selected for their senior-level relationships, demonstrated deal experience, and deep knowledge of local M&A dynamics — ensuring every introduction is credible, relevant, and actionable.

How We Work With You

A Focused, Relationship-Based Process

We are private equity relationship-based, focusing exclusively on private equity funds and their portfolio companies. Our engagement follows a disciplined four-stage process.

Step 01

Identify the Right Portfolio Companies

Taking the lead, we identify which portfolio companies to focus on — typically, recently acquired U.S. based portfolio companies actively pursuing acquisitions, frequently in foreign markets.

Step 02

Understand the Acquisition Mandate

Working with portfolio company executives, we learn more about the company and its detailed acquisition plans — including target criteria and market(s), and strategic rationale.

Step 03

Source and Qualify Targets

Utilizing our broad network of deal sources and GSAs, as appropriate, we identify potential targets and determine which to pursue with portfolio company executives.

Step 04

Arrange Introductions & Support Execution

Working with portfolio company executives, we arrange target introductions and help formulate a tailored actionable execution strategy to complete the transaction.

We do not act as investment banking advisors. We do not prepare valuation models or negotiate on behalf of portfolio companies.
Our Point of Difference

Why Private Equity Firms Choose XB Advisors

We have a demonstrated track record of building strong, long-standing relationships with private equity firms. Our focus is narrow by design — and that focus is what makes us effective.

01

Exclusively Buy-Side

We do not represent sellers or share in sell-side advisor's fees, eliminating buyer/seller conflicts and increasing our access to sell-side deal flow.

02

Narrowly Focused

We work only for a select few private equity firms and portfolio companies. Our only business is sourcing buy-side, mid-market deals.

03

Contingent Fee Structure

We work strictly on a contingent fee basis and are paid a transaction fee only upon successful completion of a deal — our interests are fully aligned with yours.

04

Non-Exclusive Engagement

Engaging us does not impact your ability to hire other deal sourcing firms now or in the future. We earn our place through results, not exclusivity.

05

Big 4 Access Advantage

We are particularly well positioned to source mid-market cross-border deals from the Big 4 and other international firms' global corporate finance groups.

06

Proven Track Record

We take pride in our record of long-standing relationships with private equity firms, helping portfolio companies do deals that enhance their ROI.

Track Record

Select Closed Deals

Select cross-border closed deals for private equity U.S. portfolio companies, sourced and advised by XB Advisors.

Deal 01
Distributor of personal protection equipment (PPE)
Country Australia
Valuation Range AUD $150 Million – $200 Million
Source Network Referral
Deal 02
Truck cleaning depots
Country Germany
Valuation Range $20 Million – $40 Million
Source XB Advisors Origination
Deal 03
Recruiting services
Country Australia
Valuation Range $2 Million – $4 Million
Source XB Advisors Origination

Each deal above represented the PE portfolio company's first cross-border acquisition.

Global Team

Senior Practitioners.
Global Perspective.

Each member of our team brings decades of front-line M&A deal experience and deep relationships across the private equity ecosystem — spanning two continents and multiple industry verticals.

Tom Fenton
Tom Fenton
Sydney, Australia
  • —40 years of M&A experience
  • —Former Head of PwC Corporate Finance Group, U.S. and Asia Pacific
  • —Focused on mid-market deals for PE portfolio companies expanding into foreign markets
  • —Strong global deal-sourcing network
Tom Butler
Tom Butler
New York, USA
  • —30 years helping global private equity firms evaluate deals
  • —Former Head of PwC NYC Deals Group
  • —Former member of the PwC Global Private Equity Council
  • —Strong global private equity firm network
Jacquie Lenart
Jacquie Lenart
Sydney, Australia
  • —30 years of global consumer and retail experience in marketing and strategy
  • —Former senior executive, Gap Inc. and Campbell Soup — U.S., Australia, Japan
  • —Advisor to PE portfolio companies on growth, brand, and marketing strategy
  • —Strong global consumer and retail network
Get in Touch

Start a Conversation

We work with a select number of private equity firms and portfolio companies. If you believe XB Advisors may be the right partner for your deal sourcing needs, we'd welcome the opportunity to speak with you.

Email
info@xb-advisors.com
Offices
New York · Sydney