Federica Pietrogrande - Gordon Brothers

Federica Pietrogrande is Managing Director, Capital at Gordon Brothers responsible for capital strategy and originating, structuring and executing investment opportunities in the United Kingdom and Europe. Additionally, Federica supports the firm’s global legal strategy as it relates to structuring and executing deals.

Federica has nearly 20 years’ experience in special situations investing and financing, corporate restructuring and insolvency, and cross-border transactions.

Prior to joining Gordon Brothers, Federica was the head of restructuring and insolvency for Bird & Bird LLP in Italy. Previously, she worked on the corporate finance and business restructuring teams at Hogan Lovells in Rome, Milan and New York City. 

Federica has a Juris Doctor from Sapienza Università di Roma and a Master of Laws in Banking, Corporate and Finance from Fordham University School of Law. She is an active member of the International Insolvency Institute and the co-head of its European committee. She is also a member of the Secured Finance Network, INSOL International and INSOL Europe and is regularly invited to speak at industry events and conferences worldwide. Federica is based in London.

Ed Manning - Alvarez & Marsal

Anton de Leeuw, TRI Turnaround Practitioner of the Year.

Anton de Leeuw is an Associate Partner at K2 Business Partners, an award-winning consultancy bringing certainty to owners and directors facing challenges outside of their experience.

A portfolio business leader specialising in mediation, negotiation, and culture, he also holds senior roles at consultancies making a sustainable impact on business, including LSP Leadership, Salus Group and EduParcs Group.

Anton’s approach to turnaround combines a lifetime of scientific knowledge with a deep understanding of what makes people tick. His numerous qualifications in psychology, economics, law, accountancy, and science underpin his continuous quest for self-improvement as a practitioner.

In 2022, Anton was named Turnaround Practitioner of the Year at the TRI Awards, with K2 Business Partners securing Turnaround Firm of the Year.

In his spare time, Anton is an ultra-endurance athlete and was nominated for the Unsung Hero Award at BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2019 for his coaching in grassroots sports

John Stevens, Endless

John is an Investment Director at Endless, a UK based private equity house which focusses on complex transactions – encompassing transformation, turnarounds and corporate carve outs. He is responsible for deal origination and execution as well as working closely alongside management teams on Endless’ existing investments. John has worked on various portfolio companies whilst at Endless, encompassing the consumer, businesses services and manufacturing sectors. He currently sits on the Board as Non-Executive Director of KTC Edibles, a £500m turnover manufacturer and distributor of edible oils.

John has worked in restructuring and M&A for almost 15 years, firstly at KPMG in London and latterly at Endless. He studied for his BA in Economics and Spanish at Cardiff University, is a member of the ICAEW, having trained for his ACA whilst at KPMG, and is a qualified insolvency practitioner.