Simon "Max" Ziff

Max Ziff is the CEO and co-founder of Ziff-Ivin, which he founded in 2014 after working as Head of Houlihan Lokey’s European Financial Advisory business for 6 years. He brings a wealth of experience spanning over 30 years in investment banking with a specialisation in peripheral European markets. Mr. Ziff is based between the firm’s London and Sofia offices.

In recent years, Max Ziff has led both operational and financial restructuring and conflict resolution projects in Ukraine, Russia, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia and Romania. 

Mr. Ziff’s collaborative style ensures an easy and seamless fit with existing operational and financial management teams, and is a trusted figure well know to major banks across the CEE-CIS region.

He is an expert in the analysis of complex assets across the capital structure (from senior debt, through the different levels of junior debt, to preferred and ordinary equity as well as derivative instruments). Mr. Ziff has specific skills in distressed valuation, due diligence, and corporate restructuring and has been an expert witness in major litigation cases both in the UK high court and international tribunal disputes under the auspices of the ICC and UNICITRAL.Mr. Ziff has run due diligence and valuation exercises for Arion Banki, Islandsbanki, Kaupthing, Glitnir, Landsbanki, and the Central Bank of Iraq. He was also the Project Manager on the separation of the Bulgarian State-owned energy generator and transmission business in compliance with the EU Third Energy Package. Mr. Ziff is currently Chief Restructuring Officer and CEO of Bulstacom EOD, the leading Bulgarian pay-TV providerPrior to setting up Ziff-Ivin Associates Mr. Ziff held a number of senior positions at Houlihan Lokey, Deutsche Bank, Barclays Capital, UBS, and National Westminster Bank PLC.

Mr. Ziff holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Corporate Law, and Econometrics from Manchester University and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW), having qualified as a chartered accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers.Mr. Ziff has been an approved person with the UK Financial Services Authority and a panel member of the ICAEW’s Presidents Scheme, where he was called on as an expert arbiter in complex valuation cases.