The IVSC have launched a new online search platform designed to ‘allow users of valuation information to search local expertise’ in the UK and elsewhere. At this point, only RICS, Deloitte, Duff & Phelps, and KPMG are included (PwC appears as an expert in Ireland only), so the platform is hardly representative. The stated goal of the Providers Platform is to identify (and to provide contact information for) VPOs, firms, and their leading valuation experts who are well-versed in the current IVS.

BVWire—UK recommends that readers contact the IVSC to get added. (Members may also attend the IVSC Advisory Forum Working Group public meeting on 28 September.) The Providers Platform won’t help the business or user community much if it’s limited to a handful of global firms, and it could be a worthy database and referral source when it becomes more robust and democratic (several of the top global firms have been subject to new sanctions and fines related to their fair value engagements in the last several months, so implying that they’re the sole providers could confuse the market.)

At a time when BT is in play and London judges have required that Goldman Sachs must turn over financial records on the supposedly undervalued €13B Arcelor-Mittal merger, transparency among the best financial analysts and providers takes on new urgency.

In the meantime, the IVSC recognize that ‘this portal is updated regularly and can help users of valuation information access relevant expertise. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of IVS trained valuers and more information is being added regularly.’ In its current state, this new directory is more misleading than helpful—but it should become more valuable (and perhaps a source of client referrals) as non-IVSC sponsor information is added.