MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 9, 2013-- Piper Jaffray (NYSE: PJC), a leading investment bank and asset management firm, today announced the hiring of a seasoned investment banking team to further strengthen its consumer investment banking franchise.

Led by Janica Lane and Brian Smith , the team of San Francisco -based bankers will join the firm from Partnership Capital Growth (“PCG”), a boutique investment bank focused on consumer product and service businesses in the areas of healthy, active and sustainable living. The group counts among its past clients best-in-class brands like Anytime Fitness , KIND Healthy Snacks, Muscle Milk, Drybar and BluePrint Juice, among others.

The group is expected to join Piper Jaffray on December 31, 2013 and will be based in the firm’s San Francisco office. Brent Knudsen , founding partner of PCG, will continue to manage Partnership Capital Growth Investors , the firm’s private equity business with nearly $200 million in capital under management, and will provide ongoing consulting services to the Piper Jaffray consumer investment banking team. Chris Spahr , PCG’s partner in Chicago will also assist in transitioning certain client relationships.

The new healthy, active and sustainable living group will further enhance Piper Jaffray’s leadership position in consumer investment banking and strengthen the firm’s expertise in some of the most dynamic, on-trend sectors in the consumer industry. With the addition of the PCG team, Piper Jaffray will have more than 35 consumer investment bankers in San Francisco , Minneapolis , New York and London .

“We have long admired the PCG banking franchise. We are thrilled to have these talented bankers join the Piper team and allow us to collectively grow our business and better serve our clients,” said Scott LaRue , Piper Jaffray co-head of investment banking and capital markets.

“The healthy, active and sustainable living group is very additive to Piper's platform,” added Michael Hoffman , head of Piper Jaffray consumer investment banking. “Some of the most innovative, fastest-growing companies are in this space. Our new PCG partners' expertise and Piper's expanded banking capabilities will be a winning combination for our clients in achieving their long-term potential.”

“We are thrilled to have found a partner in Piper Jaffray that shares our values, culture and passion for providing outstanding banking and advisory services to our clients,” said Brent Knudsen . Brian Smith and Janica Lane added, “This unique partnership will enable our team to thrive and have access to more resources to better serve our core clients. We look forward to working with Piper Jaffray and are confident that our combined team will have a formidable presence in the market.”

Since 2003, the Piper Jaffray global consumer investment banking and capital markets team has represented clients in 194 transactions with an aggregate value of $35.7 billion. In addition, the firm has six senior research analysts covering 117 consumer companies across the active & healthy lifestyles, hardlines retail, consumer products, restaurants 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. Our proven advisory teams combine deep industry, product and sector expertise with ready access to 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

Since 1895. © 2013 Piper Jaffray Companies , 800 Nicollet Mall, Suite 800, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-7020

Source: Piper Jaffray

Piper Jaffray
Pamela Steensland, 612-303-8184
pamela.k.steensland@pjc.com