Rob Ashcroft is the Practice Lead of Business Advisory Services. He works closely with owners of privately held companies, helping them develop liquidity and succession plans. He helps clients assess their options in the context of prevailing market conditions, industry trends, and the personal needs and preferences of the owners. He helps clients understand what potential buyers may demand and expect, as well as how to prepare their companies for the smoothest possible sale process. He can support owners as they select a suitable investment bank or mergers and acquisitions advisor.

Prior to joining Northern Trust, Rob was a middle-market investment banker for 16 years and advised on more than 200 transactions across the U.S. and Europe. Most recently he was with PwC in its investment banking group in Chicago for 10 years, having transferred from the London offices.

Before entering financial services, Rob was an engineer at BAE Systems. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant (FCA) and passed his FINRA Series 7 and 63 exams. He earned a bachelor of engineering degree, with honors, from the University of Bath, and is a member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology.