Phil Cowan Returns to Moore Stephens

Corporate finance specialist Phil Cowan has returned to shipping accountant and consultant Moore Stephens as Head of Corporate Finance.

Formerly Group CFO of V.Group Limited and Chairman of V.Ships Capital, Cowan has first-hand experience of ship management, marine services, shipbroking and ship finance, and represented shipowners and investors in a number of shipping asset investments, structuring equity and debt finance. He was responsible for a number of V.Ships’ acquisitions and led the V.Ships’ team that managed the sale of V.Group to Omers Private Equity.

Cowan says, “I am looking forward to using this experience to help Moore Stephens’ clients. Shipping has always been highly cyclical, but seldom have we seen such a long bottom of the cycle than we have at present. Bankruptcies, Chapter 11, and impairment are terms in almost everyday use at the moment in the maritime sector. Nevertheless, such market conditions create opportunities for the shrewd operator. Moore Stephens has always had a wonderful reputation for its shipping experience and expertise, and I believe we can augment that still further.”

Moore Stephens Senior Partner, Richard Moore, says, “We are delighted that Phil has agreed to return to the firm and we look forward to working with him as we continue to build a significant mid-tier corporate finance presence.”

Cowan joined Moore Stephens as a trainee in 1986. He moved to the corporate finance team on qualifying in 1989 and became a partner in 1996. He was appointed Head of Corporate Finance in 2004, with a strong track record of flotations, fund-raising, mergers and acquisitions and valuations. His clients included V.Ships, a leading supplier of independent ship management and related marine services to the global shipping industry, whom he joined in 2007.