Moelis Hires Clean Energy Investment Banking Veteran Serge Tismen from Citi

The strategic migration of top-tier talent within investment banking continues to reshape the industry’s landscape, particularly at the intersection of sector-specific expertise and broad M&A advisory. A notable recent move involves Serge Tismen, formerly Citigroup’s global head of clean energy transition investment banking, who is transitioning to the prominent boutique firm Moelis & Company. This shift underscores a dynamic period for dealmaking, influenced by both evolving sector priorities and wider economic and regulatory policies.

• Serge Tismen, Citigroup’s former global head of clean energy transition investment banking, is joining Moelis & Company.
• Tismen will assume his new M&A advisory role at Moelis in September.
• His extensive background includes leading Citi’s clean energy unit since 2021.
• The transition occurs amid policy shifts by the Trump administration impacting renewable energy.
• These shifts include efforts to cancel renewable energy tax credits and review pro-wind/solar policies.
• Despite a subdued first half, the broader M&A market anticipates a buoyant remainder of the year.

Executive Transition and Strategic Expertise

Serge Tismen, a veteran with over two decades of experience at Citigroup‘s investment bank, is slated to join Moelis in September, following a standard gardening leave period. In his new capacity, he will provide M&A advisory to a diverse range of clients, reporting directly to Anton Sahazizian, Moelis’ esteemed head of M&A. Tismen’s extensive background is particularly relevant given his leadership since 2021 as the global head of clean energy transition investment banking at Citi. In this role, he was instrumental in developing and executing business opportunities within the burgeoning clean energy sector, encompassing critical areas such as hydrogen fuel development, advanced electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and pioneering carbon capture technologies. This specialized expertise positions him uniquely to navigate the complex and rapidly evolving landscape of sustainable finance.

Navigating Policy Headwinds in Clean Energy

This high-profile executive transition occurs amidst a period of significant policy shifts that directly impact the clean energy sector. The administration of President Donald Trump has actively pursued a reversal of environmental regulations and measures previously designed to promote renewable energy. These actions include efforts to cancel tax credits supporting renewable power generation and directives for the Department of the Interior to review policies that might potentially favor wind and solar over other traditional energy sources. Such governmental stances create a complex and often challenging environment for clean energy investments and the volume of related deal flows, requiring keen strategic insight from advisors like Tismen.

M&A Outlook Amidst Shifting Dynamics

While the broader M&A market experienced a subdued first half of the year, partly attributed to volatility stemming from President Trump’s trade policies, sentiment for the remainder of the year is reportedly buoyant. Industry forecasts indicate a potential for a significant increase in deal flow, including several anticipated mega-mergers across various sectors. This optimistic outlook suggests that despite sector-specific headwinds, particularly within clean energy, the overall appetite for strategic transactions remains robust. This points towards an active period for firms like Moelis, which specialize in providing sophisticated deal advisory services, leveraging deep sector knowledge and M&A expertise to capitalize on emerging opportunities.