Duff & Phelps adds managing directors Sam Wright and Mike Collier
Global professional services firm Duff & Phelps is making moves to expand and enhance its leadership, with the addition of Sam Wright as a managing director in the transaction advisory services practice in the firm’s New York office, and Mike Collier as a managing director in the transaction advisory services practice in the firm’s Houston office.
Collier rejoins the firm after running for Lieutenant Governor for the State of Texas in the 2018 election. He brings with him more than 30 years of experience, specializing in buy-side and self-side financial due diligence, and financial operations support for corporate and private management teams in the energy and renewables industry.
“We are proud of Mike for making a spirited and committed run for public office and are happy to have him come back to the firm with an even stronger network across Texas and the greater Southwest. We are confident that he will further grow the firm’s Corporate Finance practice in Texas,” Bob Bartell, global head of Duff & Phelps’ corporate finance practice, said in a statement.
Before initially joining Duff & Phelps, Collier founded an energy management consultant practice. He also served as portfolio company CFO for Goldman Sachs Investment Partners, and worked more than 20 years at PwC, where he was a partner and head of the US energy transaction services practice. 
Wright, meanwhile, has more than 20 years of transaction advisory experience. Like Collier, he specializes in buy-side and sell-side financial due diligence, and has experience in domestic and international markets, heading financial due diligence projects in industries including healthcare, technology, manufacturing, retail distribution, and consumer and business services. Wright has worked on international transactions valued and more than $2 billion.
Wright has previously served as the co-leader of CBIZ MHM’s transaction advisory practice. He also carries more than 10 years’ experience at Big Four firms, including PwC and EY.
“Sam’s addition to the team comes on the tailwinds of a strong year for M&A activity and an increased focus on financial due diligence and transparency. Sam’s expertise and impressive track record makes him keenly positioned to support buyers and sellers across all industries and I look forward to watching the continued growth of our practice,” Ray Newman, a managing director and global head of transaction advisory services at Duff & Phelps, said.
The new additions arrive on the heels of Duff & Phelps’ acquisition of Forest Partners, a Spanish consultancy specialized in financial and economic advisory, M&A and transactions support, and turnaround and restructuring. The acquisition doubles the firm’s Spanish team, and further strengthens its grip on the global consultancy industry.
Duff & Phelps is dedicated to risk management - protecting, restoring, and maximizing value for clients in valuation, corporate finance, investigations, disputes, cybersecurity, compliance and regulatory matters, and other governance-related issues. The firm, including its subsidiary Kroll, has nearly 3,500 professionals in 28 countries worldwide.
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