Our approach
We deliver world-class M&A advisory with deep industry expertise, global reach, and proven execution. Our strengths span diverse industries, deal sizes, and geographies. We provide tailored, strategic advice and solutions that drive growth and maximize value for our clients, backed by the experience, insight and innovation that define RBC Capital Markets.
Full-service M&A advisory
We offer global reach, in-depth market insight and broad execution capabilities with expertise across a wide range of transaction types, sizes and industries.
Buyside Advisory
Strategic guidance and execution for investors - delivering insights, valuation expertise, and seamless deal navigation.
Fairness Opinions
Independent, data-driven analysis to ensure transparency, credibility, and confidence in every transaction.
Reorganization / Spin-Offs / Restructuring
Expert guidance to navigate complex transitions, optimize values, and position businesses for long-term success.
Sellside Advisory
Maximizing value and other client objectives while ensuring a seamless sale process with strategic insights and expert execution.
Shareholder Activisim / Hostile Defense
Proactive strategies and expert defense to navigate shareholder activism / unsolicited approaches and protect long-term value.
Strategic Alternatives Advisory
Objective analysis and tailored solutions to help companies evaluate and pursue the best path forward.
Strategic Alternatives podcast
Uncover new ways to drive growth and create value with insights from experts across RBC Capital Markets.
Case studies
Our industry expertise
Featured transactions
Explore select recent leading M&A transactions.
US $2.7 billion
M&A
Sole Financial Advisor
US $6.7 billion
M&A
Financial Advisor
US $6.3 billion
M&A
Financial Advisor
Global Mergers and Acquisitions leadership







Ben Mandell is a Managing Director and Head, Global Mergers and Acquisitions at RBC Capital Markets. He has been in the M&A group at RBC over 10 years with prior experience working at an independent financial advisory firm in Toronto, in the Investment Management Division at Goldman Sachs in both New York and Toronto as well as working as a Consultant with Monitor Group in London.
Ben received his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Queen’s University, an MBA from Harvard Business School and he holds the CFA designation.
Larry Grafstein has been Deputy Chairman of the Global Investment Banking at RBC Capital Markets since September of 2018. In his 30 years on Wall Street, he has advised clients on nearly $1 trillion of completed transactions. His experience spans all industries and geographies and includes some of the largest and most complex M&A, restructuring, equity and privatization deals.
His clients over the years have included AerCap, AT&T, BAT, Charter Communications, Creative Artists Agency, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Hutchison Whampoa, Intel, Jabil, Juniper, Leucadia, Level 3, Microsoft, Mosaic, Sprint, Time Warner, TPG, Visteon and Vodafone. Recently he advised CSX on its response to activist investor Mantle Ridge, IBM on its acquisition of Truven, and Molson Coors on its acquisition of its Miller Coors JV. He advised on the restructurings of WorldCom and Nortel, two of the largest done to date.
He has worked on behalf of the Governments of Canada and Ontario regarding their investments in Chrysler and General Motors after the financial crisis and advised on the landmark privatizations of Telefonos de Mexico and Telstra of Australia. He recently represented Statewide Mobility Partners, a consortium of investment funds, on the divestiture of Indiana Toll Roads, one of the largest infrastructure sales in US history. In 2014 he helped settle the strike and consumer boycott at Market Basket Supermarkets in New England through the sale by certain members of the Demoulas family of their ownership stake and resolution of their 20-year control dispute.
Mr. Grafstein is a graduate of Harvard University (B.A.), Oxford University (M.Phil, Balliol College, Rhodes Scholar), and the University of Toronto (J.D.). He is co-chair of his Harvard class and has served on the board of a number of public companies and philanthropic institutions, including the US board of Upper Canada College and the board of trustees of Horace Mann School in New York.
Ryan Avey is a Managing Director and Head of Canadian Mergers and Acquisitions at RBC Capital Markets. He joined the RBC Capital Markets M&A group in 2006 with prior experience working in the investment banking groups of dealers in both New York and Toronto. Ryan received his Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance and Accounting from McGill University.
Hank Johnson is a Managing Director and Co-Head of U.S. Mergers and Acquisitions at RBC Capital Markets. He joined RBC in 2013 and has over 20 years of investment banking experience. Prior to joining RBC, Hank was a Managing Director at Barclays, and previously worked at Lehman Brothers.
Hank received his A.B. in Economics from Duke University and an MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business.
David Levin is a Managing Director and Co-Head of U.S. Mergers and Acquisitions at RBC Capital Markets. He joined RBC in 2021 and has over 25 years of investment banking experience. Prior to joining RBC, David was a Managing Director at Barclays, and previously worked at Deutsche Bank.
David received his JD from University of Chicago Law School, MBA from Chicago Booth School of Business, and BA from Stanford University.
Paul Betts is Co-Head, European Mergers and Acquisitions
Mark Rushton is Co-Head, European Mergers and Acquisitions
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Latest M&A insights
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