Done Deal – Insights from our M&A and Activism team – March 2025
Insights from our M&A and Activism team
Welcome to the latest installment of Done Deal! This month, we’re spotlighting a recent survey of directors from publicly traded companies in the United States, highlighting their top priorities, potential disruptors, and other key topics on their agendas for 2025. Additionally, we share a recent podcast with The Corporate Council, featuring our colleague Garrett Muzikowski, discussing key activism trends and developments. Finally, financial communications expert Kainoa Blaisdell from our Singapore team offers brief reflections in our colleague spotlight.
Earlier this month, we attended the 37th Annual Tulane Corporate Law Institute in New Orleans, where top experts in M&A, shareholder activism, and corporate law discussed market trends. A key theme was “stalled optimism” in M&A—despite expectations for a dealmaking surge under a second Trump administration, uncertainty around policy, interest rates, and the economy has slowed momentum. Still, companies are preparing for a rebound. Plenty to discuss—and plenty of baked Alaska at dinner, as you’ll see above!
What Directors Think: A Changing Risk Landscape
FTI Consulting partnered with Corporate Board Member and Diligent Institute in late 2024 to survey directors of publicly traded companies in the United States about their company’s top priorities, potential disruptors and other pressing topics on the board’s agenda in 2025. After years of cost-cutting and streamlining financials, directors are prioritizing growth through mergers and acquisitions.
Corporate Counsel “Understanding Activism” Podcast: Garrett Muzikowski on Recent Developments & Activism Trends
Our colleague Garrett Muzikowski recently sat down with experts from The Corporate Counsel for the “Understanding Activism” Recent Developments & Activism Trends podcast. The episode covers recent developments and trends in activism including:
- The rise of new activists
- The potential for a rise in private equity “white knight” investors
- Trends in activist demands
- Trends in timing of activist approaches
What We’re Up To
Meet our Team: 30 seconds with Kainoa Blaisdell
What is your focus area at FTI Consulting?
After recently being promoted to Managing Director in FTI Consulting’s Strategic Communications segment, my role and focus remains largely the same. Working closely with our amazing regional financial communications team, my work specialises on advising clients on M&A, restructuring, shareholder activism, and fundraising across the Asia-Pacific region, with a particular emphasis on Southeast Asia. My role involves guiding clients through high-stakes, cross-border transactions and complex restructuring scenarios, helping them effectively communicate their strategy, manage stakeholder expectations, and preserve their reputation amid transformational events. In addition to this, I hope to do more work with the alternative investment and asset management industry – a personal passion of mine.
Can you share a bit about your career background and how it informs your work today?
I began my career in the private wealth management industry, advising on alternative investment allocations for an Eastern European family office, gaining extensive exposure to investment analysis, risk management, and portfolio strategy. I later transitioned into investment research and journalism covering Southeast Asia’s technology, media, telecommunications, and industrial sectors, providing insights on regional M&A and corporate trends. These experiences gave me a solid understanding of deal structures, market sentiment, and stakeholder dynamics, which now enhance my advisory capabilities in complex M&A, restructuring, and activist scenarios for our diverse client base.
What trends are you seeing in your marketplace?
Looking ahead, Southeast Asia’s M&A market has been an exciting one and the team has worked on some incredible mandates in the region. We believe that despite rising geopolitical uncertainty the transactions landscape is poised for increased activity. Greater stakeholder scrutiny, be it from shareholders or regulators, is driving proactive strategic reviews and restructuring efforts to better align business objectives with evolving expectations. These factors highlight the growing importance of targeted, proactive communication strategies tailored to APAC’s uniquely diverse markets.
What do you do outside of work that helps you reset and stay sharp for the next professional challenge?
Outside of work, I am a husband and a father first and foremost. Spending quality time with my family helps me refocus and do what I love for clients with our team. Beyond that I enjoy running and working out when time allows for quiet time and reflection. Additionally, traveling across APAC and exploring its diverse cultures and landscapes provides inspiration and keeps me attuned to regional dynamics, enabling me to approach professional challenges with renewed perspective and creativity.
Contact Us
To be added to the distribution list for FTI Consulting’s M&A and Activism Insights, or for further information on the dedicated M&A and Activism team at FTI Consulting, please contact Edward Bridges ([email protected]) Pat Tucker ([email protected]) or Alex Le May ([email protected]).
| The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily the views of FTI Consulting, its management, its subsidiaries, its affiliates, or its other professionals. ©2025 FTI Consulting, Inc. All rights reserved. www.fticonsulting.com |
