Baird Names Maria Watts Head of Global Financial Sponsors Group
CHICAGO, FEBRUARY 3, 2026 – Baird Global Investment Banking announced today that Maria Watts has been named Head of the firm’s Global Financial Sponsors Group (FSG) following Les Cheek’s transition to Chairman of FSG.
Cheek has played an instrumental role in building the Global Financial Sponsors coverage effort and is highly regarded and respected among the private equity community for his intense client focus and outstanding origination and execution skills. He has provided tremendous leadership during his 20-plus year tenure at the firm, consistently demonstrating the high-level of client service, teamwork and collaboration that we highly value at Baird.
Cheek will continue to actively lead coverage of his private equity clients. Watts will perform her new FSG leadership role while remaining Head of the Global Consumer Investment Banking Group and continuing to actively cover her private equity clients.
Baird was an early innovator in establishing a dedicated Financial Sponsors Group practice, integrated across Baird’s industry coverage and product efforts. The team is comprised of 40 dedicated professionals, including 18 bankers with an average of 24 years of experience each. Together, the group provides differentiated expertise and perspective, proficiency in execution and deep sponsor relationships.
Watts joined Baird's Global Consumer and Industrial Investment Banking team in 2009. Like many senior leaders at Baird, Watts has risen through the ranks at the firm from an Associate to a highly esteemed and accomplished Managing Director. She is widely respected for her M&A and equity origination and execution expertise, client-centric approach, leadership capabilities and commitment to Baird’s culture.
Watts is recognized across the investment banking industry as a prominent industry leader. In 2023, she was named to Crain’s Chicago Business list of Notable Leaders in Finance and in 2020, she was named one of Mergers & Acquisitions’ Most Influential Women in Mid-Market M&A.
“Maria’s advancement into this expanded leadership role is a testament to the caliber of her insight, discipline and strategic vision. We are profoundly grateful for Les and the contributions that helped guide FSG into a new chapter of continued success. Maria’s experience partnering with private equity firms – combined with her consistent display of expertise and steady leadership that strengthens our entire organization – positions her as an invaluable contributor as we continue advancing our leadership model and driving sustained momentum within our Financial Sponsors Group.
Brian McDonagh, Co-Head of Global Investment Banking
I’m fortunate to step into this role and work alongside a team that brings exceptional depth and perspective to our clients. I’m deeply grateful for the strong foundation Les, and others before him, helped build. I am committed to ensure Baird continues to set the standard for execution excellence and best-in-class teamwork on behalf of our clients.
Maria Watts, Head of Global Consumer Investment Banking and Head of Global Financial Sponsors Group
About Baird Global Investment Banking
Baird is a leading global investment bank with more than 540 banking associates, offering corporations, entrepreneurs, private equity and other financial sponsors a broad range of advisory and financing solutions. Since 2021, Baird has completed over 800 advisory transactions, representing $396 billion in transaction value, and 343 financings, raising over $150 billion.
About Baird
Established in 1919, Baird has more than 5,300 associates serving the needs of individual, corporate, institutional, and municipal clients. Baird has more than $525 billion in client assets as of June 30, 2025. Committed to being a great place to work, Baird ranked No. 13 on the 2025 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list – its 22nd consecutive year on the list. Baird is the marketing name of Baird Financial Group. Baird’s principal operating subsidiaries are Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated and Baird Trust Company in the United States and Robert W. Baird Group Ltd. in Europe. Robert W. Baird Limited and Baird Capital Partners Europe Limited are authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. For more information, please visit Baird’s website at www.rwbaird.com.
For additional information:
Baird Public Relations
414-765-7250
