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Derek Smith

Derek Smith

Managing Director, Financial Services

Chicago skyline

About Derek

Derek Smith is a managing director for William Blair based in the firm’s Chicago office. He joined William Blair’s investment banking team in 2024. Before William Blair, he worked for Waller Helms Advisors, Macquarie Capital, CNA Financial, and General Electric.

Community Involvement

Economic Club of Chicago

Notable Transactions

  • Not Disclosed

    has made a majority investment in

    January 2025

    USA
    USA
    Financial Services

    William Blair acted as the exclusive financial advisor to GRAM’s Americas Buyout Fund, the private equity division of GRAM, in connection with its majority investment in UniVista Insurance, a leading distributor of insurance products and services to Hispanic communities in Florida and Texas.

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  • Not Disclosed

    has made a strategic
    majority investment in

    December 2024

    USA
    USA
    Financial Services

    William Blair acted as the financial advisor to Genstar Capital, a leading private equity firm, in connection with its strategic majority investment in Aperture, LLC, a national platform of best-in-class forensic experts and portfolio company of Trinity Hunt Partners.

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  • $8,500,000,040

    Follow-on Offering

    December 2024

    USA
    Financial Services
  • $121,440,000

    Follow-On Offering

    August 2024

    USA
    Financial Services

    • Rigorous pursuit of your success. Every transaction. Every time.

    Our investment bankers are 100 percent committed to your organization’s sustained success. By drawing on our deep industry and product experience as well as our dedicated global resources, we provide advisory and financing services that allow you to capitalize on today’s opportunities and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges.

    More about investment banking at William Blair
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    Financial Services

    Financial services investment banking at William Blair draws on the firm’s deep expertise and relationships throughout the sector to deliver objective advice and execution excellence. We have built a leading franchise helping financial services companies maximize the value of their businesses. Our clients turn to us for outstanding execution for their M&A advisory and capital-raising objectives.

    The strength of our relationships with strategic and financial buyers in the financial services sector and our global reach have allowed us to deliver outstanding results for our clients.

    More about our financial services expertise
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    About William Blair

    William Blair is a 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.*

    • 1935

      Year William Blair was founded

    • 1,900+

      Employees worldwide

    • 147 billion+

      Client assets

    • 90 Years

      Independent and employee-owned

    • 20+

      Offices worldwide

    • ~650

      Companies under coverage

    As of December 31, 2024
    *Includes strategic partnerships with Allier Capital, BDA Partners, and Poalim Capital Markets.

    More about William Blair affiliated entities

    This content is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended as investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Investment advice and recommendations can be provided only after careful consideration of an investor's objectives, guidelines, and restrictions.

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