Chapman Syme

Institutional Foundation

Chapman Syme is the Managing Director and Founder of Blackland Advisors, a boutique advisory firm specializing in sell-side M&A, buy-side advisory, and strategic exit planning for $10-$100MM family businesses. With 27+ years of experience spanning investment banking, alternative investments, and entrepreneurship, Mr. Syme brings a rare combination of institutional expertise and hands-on operating experience to his clients.

Prior to founding Blackland Advisors, Mr. Syme served as a Vice President at Greenhill & Co., a global investment bank focused on M&A advisory, restructuring, and capital solutions for financial sponsors. Before Greenhill, he was a Research Analyst at Marblegate Asset Management, a leading alternative investment firm specializing in credit opportunities and special situations. Prior to Marblegate, he served as a Research Analyst at Durham Asset Management, a distressed debt and event-driven global alternative investment platform. Mr. Syme also held investment banking roles at Credit Suisse and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (DLJ), and began his financial career at Bank of America.

Direct Operating Experience

Beyond his advisory work, Mr. Syme has extensive direct experience sourcing, negotiating, closing, and operating businesses across the Southeast, including final-mile and over-the-road transportation, warehousing, foodservice distribution, and specialty retail. He has also demonstrated expertise in the acquisition and asset management of multifamily and industrial real estate.

Education & Personal

Mr. Syme holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BA from the University of Virginia. He is based in Atlanta, Georgia, where he resides with his wife and two children.

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