Lord of the Rings Deal
Lord of the Rings Deal
LOTR

CREDIT: THE SAUL ZAENTZ COMPANY

EXCELLENCE
"One Deal to rule them all"
Thomas Dey

INTEGRITY

EXCELLENCE

INSIGHT

Syco
EXCELLENCE
"ACF's certainly got talent"
Ian Rosenblatt OBE

CREDIT: SYCO ENTERTAINMENT

INTEGRITY

EXCELLENCE

INSIGHT

Bear Grylls
INTEGRITY
“You only get one chance
at life and you have to
grab it boldly”
Bear Grylls

CREDIT: BEAR GRYLLS VENTURES

INTEGRITY

EXCELLENCE

INSIGHT

Paddington
INSIGHT
“Success doesn't come
to you, you go to it.”
Marva Collins

CREDIT: PADDINGTON AND COMPANY

INTEGRITY

EXCELLENCE

INSIGHT

Pilgrim

CREDIT: PILGRIM STUDIOS

INSIGHT
“Success comes to
those who act!”
Henry David Thoreau

INTEGRITY

EXCELLENCE

INSIGHT

Leftfield
INSIGHT
“The key to success is to
focus on goals not obstacles”
Unknown

CREDIT: LEFTFIELD ENTERTAINMENT

INTEGRITY

EXCELLENCE

INSIGHT

Plimsoll Productions

CREDIT: PLIMSOLL PRODUCTIONS

INSIGHT
“Success is not final,
failure is not fatal:
it is the courage to
continue that counts.”
Winston Churchill

INTEGRITY

EXCELLENCE

INSIGHT

Love Productions

CREDIT: LOVE PRODUCTIONS

INTEGRITY
“ When something
is important enough,
you do it even if the odds
are not in your favour”
Elon Musk

INTEGRITY

EXCELLENCE

INSIGHT

Top Gear
EXCELLENCE
“Success comes to
those who act”
Henry David Thoreau

CREDIT: TOP GEAR

INTEGRITY

EXCELLENCE

INSIGHT

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ACF expands into Germany with appointment of Bernd Wendeln as Head of M&A Europe


ACF Investment Bank is expanding its operations into Germany, marking a significant milestone in the firm’s European growth strategy. The move underscores ACF’s commitment to strengthening its presence in one of Europe’s most dynamic and influential markets, following its success in the UK and USA.

To support this expansion, ACF has appointed, Bernd Wendeln as Head of M&A Europe, to lead its regional growth initiatives. Wendeln brings over 20 years of experience in Media and Entertainment M&A, along with deep relationships across the DACH region, including media owners, private equity funds, and family offices. Based in Munich, he will play a key role in driving ACF’s European strategy and expanding its footprint across the continent.


Bernd Wendeln


Bernd previously served as Head of M&A at Verve Group and as Chief Operating Officer (Board Member) at Your Family Entertainment AG. He previously held senior M&A and corporate development roles at Tele München Group (now part of Mediawan/Leonine), and at ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG.

Bernd has a strong track record in building platforms, transforming media businesses, and creating value through strategic M&A.


Bernd Wendeln

“I’m excited to join ACF and help lead its European expansion. ACF’s entrepreneurial spirit, deep industry relationships, and commitment to execution make it the ideal platform to help European clients navigate complex transactions and accelerate growth through access to global investors.

Bernd Wendeln, Head of M&A Europe, ACF Investment Bank


“Germany represents a cornerstone market for ACF’s next chapter of growth. With our existing relationships, sector expertise, and local leadership, we are ideally positioned to provide clients with deeper market insights, innovative financial solutions, and a global platform to achieve their ambitions.” 

Thomas Dey, Chief Executive Officer, ACF Investment Bank

Thomas Dey

ACF Strengthens Leadership Team


This appointment follows ACF’s recent launch of its New York City office, led by Jason Rejebian, who joins from Lazard’s Media & Entertainment team. Rejebian brings extensive experience advising clients across TV, film, distribution, talent, IP, and agencies.

Together, Bernd and Jason strengthen ACF’s multi-faceted growth strategy, which focuses on scaling across Europe and the USA, investing in talent, and deepening relationships with clients and partners. By entering Germany, ACF enhances its ability to support clients locally and globally, reinforcing its mission to deliver excellence and innovation worldwide.

As part of ACF’s continued investment in talent, Milos Perovic has been promoted to Director, recognizing his pivotal contributions in several landmark transactions, including the sale of See-Saw Films to Mediawan. ACF has also launched ACF Growth, a new service designed to support emerging media and entertainment companies and strengthen our relationships with clients.

Jason Rejebian and Milos Perovic


Capital Access


As part of the Forest Road family, ACF benefits from enhanced access to both internal and external sources of capital, enabling us to also support our clients in pursuing both organic and inorganic growth strategies. Forest Road maintains longstanding relationships with a broad network of capital providers, including established lenders, private funds, investor syndicates, and high-net-worth individuals.

5/5

What People Are Saying

“Since this was our first time working with an investment bank and raising capital for any of our businesses, I wasn’t sure what to expect. ACF has a great reputation and came highly recommended from several people that I hold in high regard. Overall, the experience working with Richard, Milos and Thomas was pure joy. They were the perfect partner for us, as they educated us as we were working through the process, they challenged us to think bigger about the scope and scale of our business, and they aggressively represented our business in the marketplace bringing multiple opportunities to us in a very challenging economic time. The partnership and guidance they provided was essential and they were extremely easy to work with. I only hope this is the first of many deals that we are able to execute together.”

Shawn Gee
Two One Five Entertainment

"ACF’s certainly got talent. Their team, led by the ever-tenacious Thomas Dey, delivered on their promises and introduced the perfect partners to achieve our goals."

Ian Rosenblatt OBE, Director
Syco Entertainment

"Given the complexities and importance of the rights at stake in our transaction, we interviewed several investment bank candidates at length before retaining ACF to guide our process.  We could not have chosen better!  ACF personnel were dedicated, creative, practical, responsive and deeply knowledgeable about the intricacies of the sales process. Over the months involved, Thomas, Richard, Tatiana and the rest of the ACF staff met with and worked skillfully and credibly with scores of potential buyers and with our own employees leading ultimately to a high value and very fair outcome benefitting both our company and the buyer. They have our deep respect and gratitude for a job so well accomplished"

Marty Glick, COO
The Saul Zaentz Company

“At this stage of 72’s development, there are great advantages and opportunities of joining forces with Fremantle. Their extensive international infrastructure and expertise will provide 72 Films with the platform to have our work seen across the world. We know and like their excellent team. And they offer us not only fantastic support but complete creative freedom so we can continue to work in the same way.

It’s been a real pleasure working with Thomas Dey and the whole team at ACF. They are brilliant at what they do. And alongside Matisse it’s been an incredible team behind this deal.”

Mark Raphael, David Glover, Founders and Chief Executive Officers
72 Films

“This exciting new deal between Broke and Bones and Netflix marks an exciting period of content creation, demonstrating the strong relationship between market leading creatives and the streaming platforms. ACF brokered the deal using our strong track record, experience and access in the UK and USA scripted markets. Premium content continues to lead the market with strong deals that ACF have closed including advising Mammoth Screen on sale to ITV, Neal Street to All3Media, Left Bank Pictures to Sony, Thinkfactory to ITV, Paddington Bear to Studio Canal, New Pictures to All3Media, and Carnival Pictures to NBC Universal.”

Thomas Dey, CEO
ACF Investment Bank

"It has been an incredible journey for Delbert and I to get to the stage where we can build out our adventure shows under our own Studio. We stand on the shoulders of many giants, the ACF team have been incredible guides through the process - at its heart this is about building the ultimate home of adventure programming worldwide."

Bear Grylls & Delbert Shoopman
The Natural Studios

"Critical Content has been a leading player in the unscripted space for the last decade, led by a first class team. Media continues to dominate the deal landscape, with content leading the pack. What a great start to 2022! Congratulations to the whole team."

Thomas Dey, CEO
ACF Investment Bank

"Boardwalk Pictures are one of the preeminent producers of premium content and this partnership with Shamrock secures Boardwalks positioning as a leading player in this market. Shamrock’s deep understanding and experience in the content space makes them great partners for Andrew and the team at Boardwalk. I look forward to seeing the growth and future success of this partnership."

ACF Investment Bank