PwC bolsters deals practice with external hires

PwC has strengthened its deals practice with the appointment of Raj Agrawal and Wendy Britten as partners in its transaction services team. Agrawal joins from pharmaceutical firm Novartis, where he helped shape the corporate strategy and led a number of global transformation efforts. Most recently, he developed a portfolio of AI solutions across Novartis as well as leading the operations to build trusted and personalised experience for HCPs and patients. PwC said he brings a wealth of experience from large pharma, strategy consulting and technology start-ups, and in his new role, Agrawal will lead the development of a team focused on value creation in the life sciences sector, working with large pharma and private equity clients. Meanwhile, Britten rejoins PwC from cyber security consultancy S-RM where she held the role of chief financial officer. Previously, she has worked in consumer, healthcare-tech and AstraZeneca pharma. She is said to have “extensive” experience of funding and financing, mergers and acquisitions and streamlining finance functions gained from working in consultancy, FTSE 100 and private equity/venture capital backed companies. Britten will work closely with consumer and healthcare clients and look to grow the firm's presence in the market bringing her experience of working on large carve-out transactions to add to the team's expertise. In addition to the new appointments, a further 17 new equity partners have been promoted in the deals practice across its four business units - Business Restructuring Services, Corporate Finance, Forensics Services and Transactions Services. Lucy Stapleton, UK head of Deals, said: “I am delighted to welcome Raj to our team and welcome Wendy back to our PwC team again! Both bring skills and experience that will add tremendous value to our practice and our offering to clients at a time when we are seeing an increased level of activity from private equity investors in the market. “We see significant growth potential in the consumer healthcare and pharma/life sciences markets and investing in top talent is absolutely critical to our growth ambitions.” Agrawal added: “I am pleased to be joining PwC at a time when there is lots of activity in the market. I look forward to working with clients and helping to solve their most pressing and important issues. Britten concluded: “I am excited to join the deals team at PwC and look forward to working with my new colleagues and clients, bringing my experience to help private equity and corporate clients maximise their deal opportunities and value.”