LAVA Advisory Partners, the London-based mid-market M&A advisory firm, has established the firm’s first permanent presence in the US by opening an office in New York’s Chrysler Building and appointing US-based M&A professionals Carlo Porreca and Helen Dixon as Partners.
These developments mark the next stage of LAVA’s international expansion, following its recent £8 million funding agreement with Beechbrook Capital. The New York office will connect US investors with the firm’s work across UK and European transactions, while Porreca and Dixon build on the firm’s existing work with US private equity investors acquiring businesses across the UK and Europe, leveraging their expertise and networks in building LAVA’s presence in North America.
The new partners’ arrival further boosts the number of LAVA partners, which has grown from two to six in under 18 months, following Paul Joyce’s announcement as Partner in July 2025 and the internal promotion of Tom Rowe-Jones in July 2026.
Porreca brings nearly two decades of experience in deal origination, investment banking, private equity origination, and M&A. The founder of Wall Springs Capital, he will lead LAVA’s US sponsor coverage, with a particular focus on B2B, healthcare, and technology-enabled services.
Dixon has more than 20 years’ transaction advisory experience and has held senior roles at Grant Thornton and BDO. Originally from the UK and based in the US since 2017, she will leverage her expertise in cross-border financial due diligence to expertly position LAVA’s clients for international transactions.
Simon Woodcock, Partner at LAVA Advisory Partners, said: “With the massive influx of overseas capital hitting the UK market, there was an obvious need for a fully owned and dedicated US presence to be able to bring the broadest range of investor options to our UK clients. Having Carlo and Helen right there on the ground means those relationships can become a much more integrated part of our process, and I’m really excited about what this will mean for LAVA.”
Carlo Porreca, Partner at LAVA Advisory Partners, said: “I’ve spent much of my career connecting business owners with investors, often across different markets. LAVA’s deep understanding of the UK and European business landscape, combined with my US sponsor relationships and knowledge, gives us an unprecedented opportunity to put the most relevant opportunities in front of the right people, for the best possible results.”
Helen Dixon, Partner at LAVA Advisory Partners, said: "Having spent much of my career working across UK and US transactions, I’ve seen first-hand how differently buyers in each market can assess opportunities and approach a transaction. I’m excited to bring that perspective to LAVA’s cross-border work, helping our clients anticipate how they will be viewed by international investors and ensuring they are positioned to make the most of those opportunities."
The new LAVA office is the firm’s first physical presence outside of the UK and is situated in the iconic Chrysler Building on Lexington Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.
