MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 19, 2012-- Piper Jaffray (NYSE: PJC) today announced that Arnold Holle and his team have joined the firm’s investment banking division. Holle will serve as a managing director in the consumer group. He will be based in the London office and will cover the retail, consumer, food and ingredients sectors in Europe.

"We continue to hire high-quality senior professionals in our key focus areas. The arrival of Arnold and his team is further evidence of our commitment to the consumer sector, expanding our global M&A business and our investment banking platform in general. His extensive relationships with large companies and financial sponsors across Europe, along with his industry expertise are a great fit for our established consumer team," commented Scott LaRue, global co-head of investment banking and capital markets at Piper Jaffray.

Holle brings 14 years of investment banking experience and joins Piper Jaffray from goetzpartners, where he was managing director and head of the consumer & retail practice in London. Representative clients include Associated British Foods, Nestle, Unilever and KKR. Previously, Arnold was with Houlihan Lokey, UBS and Goldman Sachs. Holle holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Stuttgart, a Master of Business Administration degree from the Wharton School, a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a Ph.D. in economics from J.W. Goethe University Frankfurt.

“Our consumer group is a market-leading global platform,” commented Michael Hoffman, global head of consumer investment banking. “The addition of a seasoned professional like Arnold greatly enhances our capabilities as the team expands its coverage opportunities.”

Since 2003, the Piper Jaffray global consumer investment banking and capital markets team has represented clients in 182 transactions with an aggregate value of $33.8 billion. In addition, the firm has five senior research analysts, covering 106 consumer companies across the hardlines retail, consumer products, restaurants, active and healthy lifestyles, and specialty retail industries.

About Piper Jaffray

Piper Jaffray is a leading investment bank and asset management firm serving clients in the U.S. and internationally. Proven advisory teams combine deep product and sector expertise with ready access to global capital. Founded in 1895, the firm is headquartered in Minneapolis and has offices across the United States and in London and Zurich. www.piperjaffray.com

© 2012 Piper Jaffray Companies, 800 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-7020

Source: Piper Jaffray Companies

Piper Jaffray & Co.
Jennifer A. Olson-Goude
Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
+1-612-303-6277
or
Michael Hoffman
Managing Director,
Global Head of Consumer Investment Banking
+1-612-303-6386