October 6, 2025 (London) – ECB STAR Group, a top retained search and talent advisory firm under the LSS Strategic Partners umbrella, today announced the launch of its Pre-Deal service line, a new offering designed to help private equity firms and investors build early relationships with transformative leadership talent.
Benedict Hughes leads the new practice. Based in London, Benedict has over a decade of experience advising private equity clients across Europe, with previous leadership roles at Drax Executive and Bain & Company.
“Great investments are built on great partnerships, often long before a deal is signed,” said Benedict Hughes, Partner at ECB STAR Group. “Our Pre-Deal service is designed to help investors identify, assess, and engage leadership talent early so that they can act with more clarity, more speed, and more confidence.”
Great investments are built on great partnerships, often long before a deal is signed, our Pre-Deal service is designed to help investors identify, assess, and engage leadership talent early so that they can act with more clarity, more speed, and more confidence.
Benedict Hughes
Partner
ECB STAR GroupThe Pre-Deal practice is structured around three core offerings:
- Executive Network Building – ECB STAR connects private capital with experienced executives for sector mapping, strategic partnerships, board appointments, and operational roles. Each engagement is exclusive, confidential, and focused on client results.
- Target Mapping and Management Access – The firm aids origination efforts by pinpointing key targets, facilitating warm introductions to senior leadership, and supporting executive-led deal sourcing.
- Leadership Assessment – A thorough, independent assessment of management teams before a deal, helping investors reduce risks and plan for post-close leadership.
ECB STAR Group operates within LSS Strategic Partners, a talent and legal services platform owned by Alvarez & Marsal Inc., the parent company of A&M Consulting, a global professional services firm. A&M Capital, a private equity firm under the same parent company, is a sister company to LSS. This structure provides ECB STAR with unique insights into how capital and leadership interact and what it takes to create value from the beginning.
“Our clients aren’t just seeking introductions,” said Tom Wilkinson, CEO of ECB STAR Group. “They’re looking for insight, alignment, and the kind of leadership strategy that transforms a deal into a success story. That’s where Pre-Deal comes in.”
To learn more about the Pre-Deal service, visit: www.ecbstar.com/pre-deal/
About ECB STAR Group
ECB STAR Group is a premier executive search and talent advisory firm dedicated to delivering bespoke leadership solutions. With a global presence, ECB Star Group specializes in executive, C-suite, and board placements across sectors, including private equity, law firms, and corporate leadership. Leveraging a data-driven approach and deep industry expertise, the firm partners with clients to build high-performing teams that drive innovation, growth, and long-term success. ECB Star Group is an LSS Strategic Partners company.
About LSS Strategic Services
LSS Strategic Partners is a transformative holding company driving innovation in legal services and talent management. Its mission is to empower organizations with cutting-edge solutions, operational efficiency, and strategic insights for sustained success. In 2024, LSS Strategic Partners launched SHP Legal Services, a company focused on providing services to law firms with strategic guidance and integrated solutions that upgrade technology and streamline operations, as well as NomosFIT, a vetted flexible interim talent platform designed to provide tailored, scalable, and cost-effective legal resource solutions precisely when businesses need them. LSS Strategic Partners is an Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) Inc. company.
