M&A;

We know the way to seamless, value-creating transactions

Few events unleash as much opportunity to create value as a well-conceived—and well-executed—transaction. We partner with clients to maximize the success of their M&A activity.
We bring our clients unrivaled transaction and integration expertise, deep industry knowledge, a global network cultivated over the course of nearly 100 years, and a focus on building institutional and executive M&A; capabilities—to strengthen M&A; programs long term.

Our approach

Our record is unparalleled. We support most of the world’s largest transactions, working successfully with leading global companies and executives—including programmatic deal makers who are reshaping their industries. Our M&A client service focuses on several priorities:

  • Portfolio transformation. Evidence suggests that static portfolios underperform. In contrast, active owners use programmatic M&A and selective divestitures to continually shift their portfolios toward better industry exposure and assets. The best keep moving. We help clients do that wisely and effectively.
  • Seamless end-to-end delivery. From strategy and capital planning all the way through the final steps of integration execution, we help clients identify the best path to shareholder value.
  • Translating strategy into action. Few companies align their strategy and M&A program sufficiently. We help companies make these links explicitly and translate this into clear blueprints for making deals (acquisitions and separations).
  • Flawless execution. Glitches can occur at any point in a transaction or during integration or separation. We help clients spot hurdles early—and clear them.
  • Capturing insights. We help clients refine their deal-making approaches over time to reflect their unique context.
  • Learning and capability building. We focus on client skill building day-to-day and in more programmatic ways to make M&A a competitive advantage that is distinctive and repeatable.

Our assets

We offer a diverse suite of M&A assets to accelerate executive learning:

M&A Council

Our clients can engage with more than 30 of the most seasoned integration executives in the world for exclusive, immediate counsel on their toughest M&A issues.

M&A, merger-integration, and JVs and Alliances conferences

These top-rated events help hundreds of senior executives responsible for their organizations’ M&A and JV and alliance strategies remain current on the most important industry issues.

M&A Compendium and exclusive CXO apps

We compile our latest thinking across all stages of M&A and create client CEO and CFO apps featuring exclusive insights on corporate performance.

Global CFO Forum

We convene leading CFOs from around the world to discuss critical issues facing multi-business-unit financial executives.

Integration Leadership Forum

This intensive, small-group program for integration executives covers core insights, such as how to manage value capture, ensure a successful day one, and retain top talent during even the most complex transactions. Our interactive approach—widely praised by participants—rapidly increases M&A understanding and confidence.

Digital platforms and learning

We offer a suite of 20-plus digitally enabled tools to accelerate seamless M&A value capture, including robust digital project tracking and synergy-identification tools. Our digital learning program prepares integration leaders and their teams for the toughest integration challenges, using simulations and coaching by top integration executives.

Featured insights

Article

The power of through-cycle M&A

– How companies can use deal making to accelerate strategic shifts during the COVID-19 crisis.
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Integrating marketing and brand in M&A: The way to superior growth

– Focusing on six core aspects of marketing integration can help companies get the most out of their integration efforts and the... new organization.
Article

Through a different lens: A McKinsey perspective on separations

– To succeed, companies need to view divestitures in a way that goes beyond the traditional M&A approaches.
Article

Improving the management of complex business partnerships

– Adhering to four key principles can help companies increase the odds that their collaborations will create more value over their... life cycles.
Article

Organizational culture in mergers: Addressing the unseen forces

– Understanding culture, and proactively managing it, is critical to a successful integration. This requires a comprehensive approach.

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