Principal, Parabellum Investments. Turnaround Investor & Interim CEO.
Hi, I’m Rami Cassis. I write about distressed M&A, turnaround investing, and what it’s really like to lead as an interim CEO.
Rami Cassis is an experienced corporate turnaround specialist and distressed M&A investor. As principal of Parabellum Investments, he acquires controlling stakes in underperforming companies for turnaround, before either appointing talented executive teams under his guidance or remaining as CEO to continue growing these businesses organically and through acquisition.
Operating across all industries and many countries and continents worldwide, he has a particular interest in corporate carve-outs, disposals, distressed businesses, siloed assets, non-core divisions, and special situations – generally preferring to take full control upon investing, when the case allows.
Parabellum Investments is funded exclusively by Cassis’ private capital, meaning he can make quick decisions on investments.
Outside of Parabellum, Cassis is a highly sought-after interim CEO, appointed by boards and investors to turn around underperforming companies on a short time horizon. This may involve stabilising cash and liquidity, restructuring a company’s cost base, refocusing the company’s strategy, and returning a business to growth.
Prior to his current work, Cassis built on his global background with a 10-year career at Schlumberger, starting as an operating engineer before holding a succession of management roles. He then continued in management positions with Atos, where he was Managing Director of BPO/ITO for the firm in the UK, after a period at KPMG Consulting as a board advisor.
He holds two degrees, one in Aerospace Engineering and the other in Pure and Applied Mathematics, both gained at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.
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What kinds of distressed M&A situations do you usually get involved in?
I involve myself in all types of distressed M&A situations, including corporate carve-outs, disposals, siloed assets, non-core divisions, and special situations. My preference is to take a controlling stake in these businesses upon investment, leveraging my own personal capital to do so.
How can I tell whether this needs a restructuring, a distressed sale, or both?
Every distress situation is different – and the process by which you bring a business out of the red depends on a multitude of factors, including the size and extent of the cost base, the competitiveness of the business, and creditor confidence, among others. If you currently hold a distressed asset, and are unsure of the route you should take going forward, please contact me above.
What does working with you on a distressed transaction typically look like?
I have operated as a turnaround investor for over 20 years now. Expect a clear, methodical operating process and an experienced, calm pair of hands throughout the period.
Who is the distressed M&A newsletter for?
This newsletter is for everyone who has experienced, is experiencing, or anticipates an upcoming distress situation. Read to uncover practical lessons on how to take your business from the red to black, including what to prioritise, what to avoid, and what I've personally learnt from decades of putting my own capital on the line. This is the go-to newsletter for everything and anything distressed M&A and turnaround investing.
How often do you send the newsletter, and what will I get in each edition?
I write and send these newsletters on a monthly basis, with each edition focusing on a different stage in the turnaround investment process. From day one of executing the transaction to the six-month point where the long-term strategy is set, this newsletter includes everything you need to know when a distress situation or investment opportunity arises. While every situation is unique, my newsletter serves to provide the full blueprint for what to do after undertaking any distressed transaction.
