RWT is fuelling big growth

You could be forgiven for not knowing Kelowna is home to one of the most innovative boutique investment banking firms in the country.

"That's because less than 10% of our business comes from Kelowna," said Reece Tomlinson, the founding and managing partner at RWT Growth.

"I'd say 60% of our business is with companies elsewhere in Canada, 20% in the UK and 10% elsewhere around the world."

RWT has been able to build such an international clientele since it set up shop in 2104 because it helps low-to-mid-market companies catapult to the next level with a unique combination of consulting, capital access, mergers and acquisitions and investment banking services.

In fact, in six years of business, the RWT team has advised on an astounding over $1 billion in completed transactions.

"Even though most of our clients aren't from Kelowna, I'd like to do more business in Kelowna, for sure," said Tomlinson.

"We're putting Kelowna on the map for this type of boutique investment banking."

One of the Kelowna companies RWT has helped fuel big growth is Beyond Aerospace.

"RWT Growth was instrumental in obtaining funding required to grow our business, acting as a trusted extension of our management team," said Beyond Aerospace president Michael Ball.

"I highly recommend the services of RWT Growth for any company looking to raise capital or pursue mergers and acquisitions."

Praise also comes from farther afield, from both parties involved in the $25-to-$50-million sale of Permacorp Group of Companies in Edmonton to Rhyno Private Equity Group in Toronto.

"We highly recommend RWT to anyone looking to sell their company and maximize the value of their business," said Manfred Schmidt of Permacorp.

Added Andrew Mark of Rhyno: "RWT was professional, informed, communicative, available and understanding of everyone's perspective. This allowed for efficient problem solving in complex, sometimes pressurized situations. We very much look forward to working with RWT again."

The goal for all clients is always a best-in-class experience, said Tomlinson.

"When we help a business we do a deep dive to determine strengths and challenges and make a plan to maximize results, whether it's buying or selling the company, access to capital or strategic debt."

Tomlinson has a master of business administration (MBA) and is a chartered professional accountant (CPA) and certified management accountant (CMA).

When he moved to Kelowna from Winnipeg in 2014, he was mostly doing turnaround work, helping companies in distress.

"But then I thought, I can also help healthy companies grow to the next level and RWT Growth was born," said Tomlinson.

In addition to the seven specialized staff who work out of RWT's headquarters at 455 Lawrence Ave. in downtown Kelowna, the firm also has representatives in Calgary and London, England and has completed transactions in 16 countries.