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Comparison

BHB Partners vs Westgate Group

Comparing two boutique M&A advisors · Last updated April 12, 2025

AttributeBHB PartnersWestgate Group
TypeBoutiqueBoutique
HQMilan, ItalyCleveland, OH
Founded20101994
Sector focusItaly, Lower Mid-MarketLower Mid-Market
Deal size$5M-$50M$5M-$50M
Senior team
  • Bruno Bianchi
    Founder
  • Tom Westgate
    Managing Director
Rating Locked Locked
Reviews0 verified0 verified

Choosing between BHB Partners and Westgate Group

BHB Partners and Westgate Group both work in Lower Mid-Market. Founders running a sell-side process in those categories often see both names on their advisor longlist, which is why this comparison comes up. Both firms position themselves as boutique advisors, so the choice is less about category and more about pattern recognition, senior attention, and process fit.

BHB Partners is headquartered in Milan, Italy and was founded in 2010, while Westgate Group operates out of Cleveland, OH and was founded in 1994. Geography matters here: BHB Partners's Milan relationships and Westgate Group's Cleveland relationships will overlap on national strategics but diverge on the regional private equity buyer set most likely to push price. On deal-size focus, BHB Partners states $5M-$50M while Westgate Group states $5M-$50M. Beyond shared coverage, BHB Partners also reaches into Italy, while Westgate Group extends into adjacent categories.

For founders deciding between BHB Partners and Westgate Group, the honest recommendation is to take a working session with each named partner before signing. Read the firm-level reviews on BankerNotes for the pattern that matters most: did the partner who pitched the mandate run the buyer calls and final negotiations, or did the work slide down the org chart by week six. That pattern, more than league-table position, is what separates a good outcome from a mediocre one.

Firm A profile
BHB Partners
Milan, Italy

BHB Partners is a boutique headquartered in Milan, Italy and founded in 2010. The firm focuses on Italy, Lower Mid-Market and typically advises on transactions in the $5M-$50M range. Key dealmakers include Bruno Bianchi ...

Read the BHB Partners profile and reviews
Firm B profile
Westgate Group
Cleveland, OH

Westgate Group is a boutique headquartered in Cleveland, OH and founded in 1994. The firm focuses on Lower Mid-Market and typically advises on transactions in the $5M-$50M range. Key dealmakers include Tom Westgate (Mana...

Read the Westgate Group profile and reviews

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between BHB Partners and Westgate Group?
BHB Partners is a boutique HQ'd in Milan, Italy (founded 2010), focused on Italy, Lower Mid-Market, with a typical deal range of $5M-$50M. Westgate Group is a boutique HQ'd in Cleveland, OH (founded 1994), focused on Lower Mid-Market, with a typical deal range of $5M-$50M. Beyond those facts, the most reliable differentiator is senior banker attention, which BankerNotes reviews are designed to surface.
Which firm has better founder reviews, BHB Partners or Westgate Group?
BHB Partners's current rating is Locked (reviews unlock after five verified founders submit ratings). Westgate Group's current rating is Locked (reviews unlock after five verified founders submit ratings). Read the individual firm profiles for the full review breakdown.
Should I shortlist both BHB Partners and Westgate Group?
For most founders evaluating sell-side advisors with overlapping sector and deal-size fit, putting both on a shortlist is reasonable. The point of a bake-off is to test how the senior team behaves under pressure, how the firm shapes the buyer universe, and how it handles a difficult diligence question. Treat the shortlist as an interview, not a beauty contest.
How does BankerNotes verify reviews of BHB Partners and Westgate Group?
Every review is submitted by a founder who confirms they hired the firm as their sell-side advisor. We verify the reviewer privately using work email, LinkedIn, and approximate engagement timing. The verified identity is never published. Only the rating, written review, and a generic sector label appear on the public page.

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Last updated: April 12, 2025