Done Deal – Insights from our M&A and Activism team – May 2023
Insights from our M&A and Activism team
This month’s Done Deal newsletter looks at the impact of culture in M&A, a key determiner which is often overlooked. First, we hear from our People & Transformation leads on their approach to workforce communications during M&A and how to stop talent leaving the business in uncertain times, followed by an article outlining how due diligence must not solely be seen through a financial lens without considering cultural compatibility. Finally we hear from Lutz Golsch, head of Germany, on the key trends shaping the M&A market in the region.
Getting M&A Communications right: Insights from our People & Transformation experts
Our colleagues Shannon Stucky Pritchett (US) and Victoria Strachwitz (Germany) discuss the key things companies often get wrong with their workforce in M&A situations and the value of good leadership communication before, during and after a transaction.
Why Due Diligence is more than a numbers game
Where money meets opportunity, the importance of M&A due diligence cannot be overstated. Companies rightly invest countless hours, scrutinise years of statements and stress test a wide range of scenarios to ensure that what looks good in theory, can deliver value in reality.
The target company’s culture is a critical component that is often overlooked. Lucy Delaney (UK) explains how cultural misalignment can often derail a deal.
What We’re Up To
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MARCH 2023 | APRIL 2023 | APRIL 2023 |
Meet our Team: 30 seconds with Lutz Golsch
What is your focus area at FTI Consulting?
I lead the Strategic Communications practice of FTI Consulting in Germany and am based in our Frankfurt office. In my client advisory work, I have always had a strong focus on M&A advisory and all sorts of capital markets related assignments, and I continue to do a considerable amount of M&A work as well as wider special situations projects including restructuring and activism. Most recently, I have worked on a number of sponsor-led public to privates, where we have been supporting on broad stakeholder engagement.
What trends are you seeing in your marketplace?
Despite the persistent macro challenges coming out of 2022, we have seen a resurgence in activity, also in Germany. Large corporates continue to recalibrate their portfolios, much of it driven by activists. CEOs who identify opportunities for growth M&A and who are bold enough to follow through on it will get things done. Private equity also never stays on the sidelines for long, going after opportunities for take privates at attractive valuations. In strategic cross-border M&A, political considerations must be top-of-mind for dealmakers in certain sectors.
Name one new thing you just learned from or about a colleague?
A colleague recently told me that she loves restoring furniture and has more or less populated half of her apartment with pieces she has worked on. I could never do it. I’m all thumbs.
What do you do outside of work that helps you reset and stay sharp for the next professional challenge?
I need culture to take my mind off work. Concerts, festivals, art, books or films – I love the inspiration and creativity. During the pandemic, I also found cooking quite helpful to relax. I never did a lot of it before but have improved – albeit from a very low level.
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 Pat Tucker, Senior Managing Director, US ([email protected]) or Edward Bridges, Senior Managing Director, EMEA ([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. ©2023 FTI Consulting, Inc. All rights reserved. www.fticonsulting.com |
