When it absolutely has to work.
Change is inevitable
Cerro Verde Advisory is ready to partner with you during critical junctures, adopting an owner’s mindset and prioritizing your success
We help you make financially sound decisions to protect and create value. We offer support, accountability, and are your biggest advocate
Details of Engagements
We address special situations, from corporate turnarounds to business design, with a direct approach and a sense of humility
For Business Owners
Whether you operate a start-up or an established business, you can recognize when progress is stalling. Decisions no longer come naturally, confidence in your strategic direction wanes, and your vision does not inspire your team as it once did.
Our approach is holistic and firmly grounded in financial fundamentals. We work on a project basis, aiming to deliver substantial support within a short, impactful timeframe.
Our Expertise Includes:
Evaluation of strategic alternatives
Corporate turnaround consulting
Business model design and redesign
Interim Management – CFO / CRO
Financial modelling and corporate forecast creation
Distressed corporate finance
Creditor negotiations
For Creditors
As a lender, you know financial distress is the result of an underlying business problem. You've discussed these with management, but some reasons for poor performance don't align with the financial data. While trust remains, a clear recovery plan is still missing.
We engage with the debtor and work for all stakeholders. We increase trust, financial credibility, and communication. We outline a plan and track progress.
A plan communicated through Cerro Verde includes answers to the following questions:
How did the Company get here?
What are the options and critical decisions that must be made?
Is there sufficient working capital?
What are all the assumptions included in the financial forecast?
How do we track progress?
What risks are associated with allowing or not allowing the business to operate, and how do we mitigate those risks?
How long until the business meets leverage, profitability, and liquidity ratios?
A Typical Client
Turnaround
Management is evaluating reasons for decreased financial performance
Liquidity is dropping despite reports indicating profitability
Management is worried about violating covenants and losing their line of credit or refinancing options
The bank has requested a plan, but management is unsure what to disclose
The Company needs experience and credibility compiling and communicating the plan to buy time and negotiate effectively
The bank is no longer our partner. What are our next steps, where do we go
Business Design
The market has shifted. Management needs to evaluate options and their financial impacts
Management is evaluating the business model and the best strategy to make money
The Company is growing fast and hasn’t been forecasting. Management is concerned they might run out of money if they take a large project on the wrong terms
The Company needs organizational ‘structure’, but the owner isn’t sure what position comes next or how to delegate decision-making
Darren was born and raised in Calgary by a family of entrepreneurs. He currently resides there with his wife and their two young children. He has a passion for business, trading stocks, sports (hockey and golf in particular), travelling, and spending time with his family. Prior to founding Cerro Verde Advisory in 2017, Darren spent the first chapter of his career in banking with CIBC, Roynat Capital and RBC. He transitioned to consulting roles with Stawowski McGill (Fractional CFO) and later Welsh Valuation (Business Valuation) before joining OGEN, a cannabis start-up as President. These experiences provided him with foundational knowledge and best practices in strategy, finance, operations, and change management, as well as an entrepreneurial mindset to ‘get things done’.
Darren is committed to a lifelong learning. He received his Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurship from Royal Roads University. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA), has completed the Chartered Business Valuator (CBV) coursework, and holds certificates in Strategic Change Management and Brand Building from Northwestern University. He is currently completing the Private Equity and Venture Capital Program from Columbia University.
Darren Brisebois
Testimonials
Darren Brisbois has been our trusted advisor and CFO for the last 10 years. He has been instrumental to our success and growth.
Through continual financial forecasting and advisory we have been able to make informed decisions when it matters most. Darren’s ability to get banking deals done in a pinch has been outstanding. We will continue to utilize his services for the duration of our business journey.
I highly recommend his services and can’t say enough good things about him.
- Micah Bradley – Owner, Bradbosh Landscaping and Snow Removal
Darren takes the time to understand the numbers, and more importantly, understand the business and the decisions that are required to achieve its goals. He provided accurate information that helped a client improve divisional revenues and provided guidance for transitioning out of a division that was not as profitable.
With his diverse background in banking, accounting and business, he is like a swiss army knife in providing financial leadership.
- Michael Vandezande – Partner, Matthews Group
In my role as corporate legal counsel, I’ve had the opportunity to work directly with Darren on a significant number of different business engagements over the last 10+ years.
Darren is a consummate business professional and consistently delivers high-quality and timely financial services advice to his clients. In the context of M&A deals and restructuring transactions, Darren is also a shrewd negotiator who advocates hard for his clients to obtain successful outcomes in difficult situations.
What’s best is that Darren is able to achieve success for his clients while at all times remaining approachable, pragmatic and pleasure to work with. Darren is undoubtedly a high-valued asset to any business looking to add financial horsepower to their team.
- John Davidson – Partner, MLT Aikins
The most important factor for me in seeking a financial advisor was trust— trust that I would receive high quality advice, and trust that my interests would be safeguarded. Darren earned that trust by genuinely caring about the success of my business and consistently grounding his recommendations in unwavering ethics.
- Matt Hogg – CEO, GeoGen Technologies
We had the opportunity to work directly with Darren during a critical period when we needed financial leadership. He quickly identified key areas for improvement and developed actionable strategies to drive results.
Professional, insightful, and a pleasure to work with—Darren is an asset to any growth-focused business looking to strengthen its financial foundation, and beyond that, he's simply a great person to have on your team.
- Ryan Smith – CEO, 360 Engineering and Environmental
Bradbosh has been working with Darren for several years now and during that time our company has changed in ways that is now unrecognizable from when we started. When we first started working with Darren, we made all of our decisions by gut reactions and instinct and now make better informed decisions based on how matters affect our profitability and cash flows.
Darren has also been completely instrumental as our lead negotiator with banking institutions, negotiating our lines of credit and mortgages at the best rates and favorable terms possible. I cannot say enough about how working with Darren has helped us evolve as a company and I consider working with him as one of the best decisions we have ever made.
