Done Deal – Insights from our M&A and Activism team – April 2024

Meet our Team: 30 seconds with Steffi Kim

What is your focus area at FTI Consulting?

I’m based in our Frankfurt office, advising German and international companies in corporate reputation and capital market matters – with a particular focus on event-driven situations such as M&A transactions, IPOs, restructurings and shareholder activism. Over the past decade, I’ve helped clients on a large number of cross-border mandates, complex and transformative public takeover processes and highly contested deal situations in which our multi-stakeholder communications approach can make a real difference. 

What M&A trends are you seeing in your marketplace?

After two years of subdued M&A activity in Europe’s largest economy, we are more optimistic about the environment in 2024. More recently, we have seen a new momentum in large corporates planning to spin off or carve out parts of their business to focus on their core and improve valuation. In addition, there is an ongoing trend of financial sponsors taking companies private – an area in which our team has been very active in recent years. In these transactions, we have seen much more complexity in getting a deal to the finish line. Public and political scrutiny, regulatory hurdles, bumpitrage activists and competing bidders can put a transaction in jeopardy. In today’s fast-paced, interconnected world, it is critical to anticipate communication risks and threats, secure opinion leadership, and build support among diverse audiences.

What do you do outside of work that helps you reset and stay sharp for the next professional challenge?

Outside of work, I value activities that clear my mind and boost my energy levels. Spending quality time with my family and enjoying playing with my kids – two young boys, who not only help me relax mentally, but also keep me active and engaged. I also love being outdoors, going for a run, doing Pilates, or enjoying a nice dinner with friends.