Our Experts

James has around 30 years of experience in the food and agricultural commodities sector, having joined CZ in 1996. During this period, James has worked with many CZ clients around the world, including multinational food and beverage manufacturers, agribusinesses, banks and asset managers. He has accumulated expertise across a wide range of products and services, including physical trading, derivatives, logistics, finance, risk management, consulting and market analysis.

Since 2016, James has led the strategic investment in CZ’s advisory and analysis team to create a service that is widely respected for delivering industry-leading insights and intelligence via a client-focused digital platform. Today the leadership team guide a 50-strong team of experts in corporate finance, consulting and analysis across 14 time zones.

In 2023, James spearheaded the development of CZADVISE to further align market intelligence with rapidly evolving client needs. Through CZADVISE, James is committed to enhancing his team’s extensive analytical skills with data and AI to provide a unique combination of interactive business information solutions, corporate finance support and consultancy services focused on the food, agriculture and bio-energy sectors.

Prior to his career at CZ, James worked in the automotive manufacturing sector in Texas, USA, and studied mathematics and economics at London Guildhall University.  He has a global outlook, having been educated in the USA, Canada, India, Ireland and UK, and an active interest in agriculture as managing partner of a UK farming business.

Stephen has worked in the energy, food and agriculture markets for almost 20 years. He is one of the world’s foremost sugar and ethanol analysts, helping many of the world’s largest household name food and beverage companies manage their physical supply and futures price risks. He also works with major agribusiness, banks, finance providers and funds manage their exposure to these markets. He is also a regular speaker at global conferences on energy, food security and decarbonisation.

He joined CZ in 2008 and leads the analysis team. The team deliver leading-edge insights into the commodities CZ handles across the agriproduct, food, ingredients packaging and energy sectors. This analysis is published on CZ’s client-focused platform, but also supports CZ’s physical trading and corporate finance businesses. Stephen also supports CZADVISE’s consulting team as they deliver strategic advice to customers in the food, agriculture and bio-energy sectors.

Before joining CZ, Stephen worked in the downstream oil industry, promoting the interests of the UK’s crude oil refineries at a national government and EU-wide level. He worked on reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the sector, primarily through the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, and also on ensuring the country held a sustainable level of oil product emergency stocks. He holds an MSci in Chemistry from Imperial College London.

Luis Felipe has around 20 years of experience in financial advisory, mainly in the agribusiness and renewable generation sectors, having joined CZ in 2006. During this period, Luis Felipe has worked with many

CZ clients around the world, including sugar and ethanol producers/refineries, renewable energy companies, logistics operators and agribusinesses. He has accumulated expertise across a wide range of financial advisory services, such as M&A (buy and sell side), debt raising (banks, funds and capital markets), debt restructuring and special situations, having completed multiple transactions in several markets and sectors.

In 2013, Luis Felipe was appointed as head of corporate finance Brazil, and in 2015 became responsible for our global corporate finance activity, having successfully implemented our international expansion in Asia Pacific and Latin America. Luis has accumulated experience in multiple markets such as Brazil, Guatemala, Colombia, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia and Vietnan. Today he leads a global team of +15 experts that combine investment banking skills and deep know-how in agribusiness, renewable generation, and logistics sectors.

Before joining CZ, Luis worked in asset management, energy generation and industrial sectors. Luis holds a MBA in Corporate Finance from Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV-SP) and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from PUC-Rio.

Stefano has around 10 years of corporate finance experience and is currently leading CZ’s Asia Corporate Finance desk since 2019, with physical presence in Bangkok, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh. Stefano is currently responsible for all corporate finance advisory processes in the region, spanning Southeast-Asia, Japan and Australia. Stefano’s areas of expertise are mid-cap private and listed players in the agri-business, renewable energy (solar and biomass) and logistics (maritime terminals) sectors. Stefano has deep experience in cross-border and domestic M&A deal making, having transacted and participated in multiple strategic acquisitions, capital raises, JV’s and spin-off transactions in Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia and Thailand. Stefano accumulates specific deep expertise in (i) complex cross-border M&A in APAC, (ii) debt raise expertise in sugar/ethanol, food and renewable energy (biomass cogen/solar), and (iii) strategic equity joint-venture structuring.

Before joining CZ, Stefano worked with IFC’s Financial Institutions Group (FIG) portfolio team, covering a breadth of debt and equity portfolio investments in LATAM as well as shorter secondments at Padtec Holding S.A. (Brazilian Venture Capital) Kerburn Rose (US-based boutique advisory). Stefano holds an MSc Hons. in Banking & International Finance from Bayes Business School and a Bachelor Hons. of Business Administration from Copenhagen Business School.

Fernando has around 15 years of experience in corporate finance advisory specially in the agribusiness, renewable energy, and infrastructure sectors, having joined CZ in 2011. During this period, Fernando has worked with many CZ clients globally, including sugar and ethanol producers/refineries, agricultural producers, renewable energy companies, logistics operators and agribusiness players. He has accumulated expertise across a wide range of financial advisory services, especially in (i) debt raise transactions through CRA issuances in the Brazilian capital markets having successfully concluded several transactions since 2013, (ii) cogeneration joint-ventures to produce renewable energy from sugarcane bagasse and (iii) complex special situations deals. Fernando also led and concluded several M&A and debt restructuring processes.

In 2023, Fernando was appointed as head of corporate finance Brazil and is currently covering CZ’s corporate finance initiatives in Brazil on multiple sectors such as sugar & ethanol, agribusiness, energy, infrastructure, and food & beverage. Fernando holds an MBA in Finance from Insper and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Universidade de São Paulo.

Ben leads CZ’s sophisticated global business intelligence (BI) and data team, with focus on driving opportunities for clients across all supply chain areas. Ben and his team use their expertise in data capture, visualisation and storytelling to support all consulting projects, and also deliver BI solutions to customers, including supply chain optimisation. Ben studied in Economics from the University of Bath.

Ana leads CZ’s analysis team in Brazil. Her team cover major agricultural products and energy and the movement of these commodities from up-country to cities for consumption or ports for export. The Brazil analysis team use their capability to help customers with consultancy work and risk management advice, and also support our local corporate finance and physical trading business. Ana joined CZ as an intern in 2013 and graduated from Insper University Sao Paulo in 2014, with a degree in Business Administration.

Rosa leads CZ’s analysis in Asia. Her team use their expertise in data and analytics to support consulting work in the region and to identify opportunities for customers across all supply chain sectors. She also helps Chinese clients and overseas customers understand China’s role in the commodity markets. She also regularly appears at industry conferences, and promotes CZ on webinars and social platforms. She joined CZ in 2014, having previously worked in the electronic products sector. She graduated from Jinan University with a degree in Administration in Marketing.

Stephanie joined CZ in 2020. Based in Guatemala, she is responsible for consulting business development in Latin America, including market studies across different commodity markets, helping customers make better use of their biomass and working to decarbonize supply chains. Prior to this role, Stephanie worked for CZ in London as an analyst covering the Americas ex-Brazil. She holds a degree in Operations Management and Data Analytics from Babson College.

Olly is a consulting analyst within CZ’s Advisory team. Before joining CZ, Olly worked as a senior consultant on strategy & transformation consulting projects for a range of public and private sector clients. Olly has a variety of experience ranging from delivery of large-scale organisational change programmes, project and bid management, and growth strategy development. Olly has a master’s and bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Birmingham.

Yusef is a consulting analyst within CZ’s Advisory team.  Prior to CZ, Yusef worked as a strategy consultant for FMG, a boutique M&A advisory firm with a particular focus on heavy industries and decarbonisation. He has experience in market entry, growth strategy, and M&A. He holds a BSc in Biochemistry from Imperial College London and an MPhil in Computational Biology from the University of Cambridge (Darwin College).

Sahajanee Thaisonthi (Jane) joined CZ in 2022 as a specialist in green energy and decarbonization, based in Thailand. She focusses on decarbonization in Southeast Asia, including projects on transitioning from coal to biomass and exploring carbon credit opportunities. Previously, she worked as a research assistant at the Energy Research Institute at Chulalongkorn University. She has a master’s degree in Energy Technology and Management and a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering.

Velitsko is a consulting analyst within CZ’s Advisory team. Prior to CZ, he worked as a consultant for a leading supply chain and operations consultancy serving a wide range of private sector clients, helping them transform and optimise supply chain operations. He also has 8 years of industry experience in the FMCG sector in operations, procurement and supply chain. He has an MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management and a BA in Business Studies from the University of Sheffield.

Lucy is a consulting analyst within CZ’s Advisory team. Prior to CZ Lucy worked as a project manager for Mott MacDonald, an engineering consultancy firm with a particular focus on digital product development and decarbonising transportation. Lucy brings experience in construction, digital project management and biofuel production. Lucy has a master’s in Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management from the University of Bath.

Sulaiman is a data scientist at CZ. He works to increase the company’s capabilities with data and drive opportunities for clients. He has expertise in supply chain optimisation, notably for FMCG customers. Sulaiman holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree in Physics from Imperial College London.

Victor is a data scientist in CZ’s Sao Paulo office. He has a passion for using data to drive opportunities and optimise business functions, drawing on his expertise in data analysis, visualization, and storytelling to support CZ’s consulting projects. He studied Economics and Agribusiness at the University of São Paulo.

Roummont is a Corporate Finance Manager at CZ. Roummont joined the firm in 2022 where his primary focus has been on the execution of M&A transactions across the agri-business and renewable energy sectors in Thailand (domestic deals) and Cross-border. Prior to joining CZ, Roummont was an Investment Banking Associate at Ansonia Partners LLC in New York where he worked on transactions spanning M&A, project finance and fund raising in the energy and infrastructure sectors such as biomass, solar and wind. Roummont holds a bachelor’s degree in Business with concentrations in Finance and Statistics from NYU Stern School of Business.

Bao is a Corporate Finance Manager at CZ. Joining CZ in 2023 as a regional manager for Vietnam domestic and Indochina transactions, Bao’s focus has been on the execution of M&A and debt capital raising transactions across renewable energy and logistics (namely bulk and container terminals, warehousing and industrial parks) sectors. Prior to joining CZ, Bao was the head of Investment Banking division in Vina Securities (a Vietnam-regulated securities firm) covering transaction execution and advisory across various verticals in infrastructure, logistics and food. Bao holds an MSc in Finance from Bangor University.

Hattha is currently a Corporate Finance Analyst at CZ. Hattha joined CZ in 2023 where his focus has been on equity transactions across energy and bio-fuels. Prior to joining CZ, Hattha was an Investment Banking Assistant Manager at Asia Plus Advisory Co., Ltd. where he executed IPO and M&A deals in the retail sector. Hattha also spent +3YRs as an auditor in a Big 4 company. Hattha holds a CFA and CPA certification and graduated from Chulalongkorn University with second honors bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Phimniyom is a Junior Corporate Finance Analyst at CZ. Phimniyom joined CZ in 2022 where her focus has been to support transaction execution across SE-A, including the conclusion of a large-cap deal where CZ represented PT. KTM as sell-side advisor. Prior to joining CZ, Phimniyom was an analyst supporting deal investment analysis for Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri Bank) and Pi Securities on buy and sell-side activities. Phimniyom holds a first-class honor Bachelor’s degree in Banking & Finance from Chulalongkorn University

Arthur holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Escola Politécnica (University of São Paulo) and has experience structuring M&A and Capital Market transactions, having previously worked on the Investment Baking team at Banco ABC and on the buyside of one of the largest healthcare groups in Brazil. Currently, Arthur is based in São Paulo as a manager in the Corporate Finance desk, focused on debt and equity solutions for the Sugar & Ethanol and Energy sectors.

Daniel Charro recently joined CZ’s corporate finance team in Brazil. Daniel has been working in M&A for 7 years and specifically in financial advisory for 5 years, having worked in multiple transactions in M&A (on both sell-side and buy-side), debt raising and debt restructuring in several sectors, such as education, technology, retail, construction materials and others. Daniel holds a bachelor’s degree in production engineering from Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia (IMT).

Gabriel Araujo joined CZ in 2022 and currently works as a senior analyst in the corporate finance area. Gabriel has been working in financial advisory for 3 years and having been involved in transactions in M&A, debt raising and debt restructuring in the agribusiness, commodities and specialty chemicals and food and beverage sectors. Furthermore, Gabriel holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of São Paulo (USP).

Vinícius Mônaco became a part of CZ in 2023. With two years of experience in financial advisory, Vinicius’s been involved in M&A transactions across different sectors like healthcare, education, logistics, and cybersecurity. Before CZ, Vinicius had also worked in wealth management and derivatives. Vinicius holds a bachelor’s degree in Naval Engineering from the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo (POLI-USP).

Lucas Parreira joined CZ in 2023 as an analyst in the corporate finance area. With three years of experience in financial advisory, Lucas has been involved in M&A transactions in the agribusiness, food and beverage, mining, and specialty chemicals sectors. Lucas holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business Administration from INSPER.