Press Release

Waypoint, a leading growth and M&A advisory firm to the marketing services and technology sectors, has appointed Alex MacLaverty as a Managing Director.

Alex has 25 years’ experience spearheading growth at hugely successful global agencies.  She spent nearly five years at Clarity as Chief Operating Officer, taking the business from revenues of $5m to $19m and completing seven acquisitions worldwide across the PR, public affairs, corporate comms, SEO and design spaces. 

Prior to that, Alex spent 15 years at tech specialist Hotwire, first building its UK business to revenues of £7m as MD and winning a CIPR award for ‘Outstanding Large Agency of the Year’ two years in a row, before taking on the role of Global COO and leader of its European and APAC businesses. As COO Alex was part of the leadership team that successfully delivered the acquisition and integration of US agency Eastwick in 2016, and was responsible for global operations and 270 staff worldwide.

In her new role at Waypoint, Alex will use this experience to empower agency leaders to achieve their business ambitions, supporting them on their path through growth to exit. 

Alex joins a 25-strong team that is aiming to redraw what exemplary advisory looks like. Waypoint focuses on building enterprise value, via growth advice and coaching, M&A, funding and other specialist services. 

Commenting on Alex’s appointment, partner Phil Gripton says: “To deliver on our ambition of supporting businesses to grow and reach their full potential, it’s vital that we have people on our team who have a deep understanding of the sectors where we operate and the people and companies within them. It’s important that they know what “great” looks like across every aspect of building and running an agency.

He continues: “Alex has been there, done that. She has driven growth at ambitious agencies ensuring commercial success, and therefore understands exactly what’s involved and what the pitfalls are along the way. And having done M&A in her prior roles she also knows what it takes to both make a perfect acquisition and engineer a valuable exit. Her broad experience means she’s brilliantly placed to enhance the quality of advice we offer to our clients.” 

Commenting on her decision to join Waypoint, Alex says: “After working in such fast-growing agencies and really enjoying the M&A side of things too, now feels like the perfect time to help other businesses achieve their goals via consultancy that comes from my time spent at the coalface. 

“I love working with founders and boards to make a tangible difference – and Waypoint works with some of the most exciting agencies around. There are so many challenges you face trying to grow and exit an agency and so many opportunities to consider – so I’m delighted to be able to put my experience to good use for our clients.”

In 2023 Waypoint advised, coached and assisted more than 50 businesses to build and realise value.

ENDS

About Waypoint Partners

Waypoint is unique in combining specialist corporate finance expertise with a deep knowledge and experience of running and growing agencies and technology companies. 

A relentless focus on growing value for clients is delivered through tried and tested methods, processes and partner expertise running successful businesses, combined with Waypoint’s last ten years supporting 260 plus agencies in realising their objectives and aspirations. 

Waypoint’s agnostic position allows it objectivity in responding to client needs, bringing the appropriate mix of advice, guidance, growth capital and transaction support to suit each business, wherever it is in its development journey.

You can listen to Waypoint industry leading podcast, Waypointers here.