Delivering Value Through Mergers and Acquisitions – HR’s Critical Role

Salvatore Cantale is Professor of Finance at IMD. His major research and consulting interests are in value creation, valuation, and the way in which corporations structure liabilities and choose financing options. Before joining IMD, Salvatore was an analyst with a large investment bank in London, and held other academic posts with US business schools. He currently serves as advisor at Tulane University, Louisiana. Salvatore holds a BA in Economics and Finance from Universita’ di Catania, Italy, a Master’s Degree in Management and a PhD in Finance from INSEAD.

Daniel Cloke held senior HR Director roles for over 25-years in a variety of industries undergoing change. He has substantial experience of mergers, acquisitions, and disposals for global companies. Most recently as Group HR and Internal Comms. Director for GVC Holdings PLC, where he led the integration of Ladbrokes and Gala Coral. Daniel now works as an independent consultant with a range of UK and multi-national clients.

Rob Garber helps organisations build HR strategies that facilitate successful M&A transactions. With more than 15 years of diverse transaction experience, Rob has expertise in all phases of M&A from the initial preparation for a deal through due diligence and integration planning. His expertise is the result of working on more than 200 transactions including buy-side, sell-side and outsourcing deals. Rob’s hallmark is his ability to assemble, coach and manage global teams with different levels of M&A know-how. Recently, Rob has focused developing methodologies for managing the integration of cultures between buyers and target companies and on the development of M&A playbooks for HR teams. After a 13+ year career as VP – HR M&A at Thomson Reuters, a $6B business information services and news organisation, Rob has established a consultancy — Adeptus HR M&A Advisors — where he helps clients manage transactions by leveraging his vast experience.

After completing his Master’s degree in Business Administration at Erasmus University Rotterdam in 2006, George began his career at ABN AMRO as part of the Trainee Program. Over the past nearly 20 years, he has held a wide variety of roles within the organization, building an track record across multiple disciplines.

George started as a Wealth Manager Professionals, managing wealth for affluent partners at law, accounting, and consultancy firms. He later played a pivotal role in rebuilding the bank’s international Merchant Banking network following its hostile break up in 2008. Since 2014, George has focused his career on Human Resources.

Initially, he was known as “The Flying Dutchman,” solving HR challenges across the globe—whether in M&A processes, addressing audit issues, or stepping in as interim HR Manager. He then served as the Country HR Manager for ABN AMRO Germany, followed by his role as HR Director for the bank’s I&T division—overseeing an department of more than 13,000 employees.  Currently, George is the Head of HR Business, responsible for all HR advisory services across the bank’s global network.

In addition to his professional roles, George has been a board member of the Accountability Body of ABN AMRO’s pension fund, one of the largest plans in the Netherlands.

George’s driving force is to ensure the bank’s overall success while empowering individual employees to contribute to this success and grow along the way. He achieves this by fostering strong relationships while keeping transformative solutions on the table when necessary. Outside of his professional life, George resides in The Hague with his husband. He is an avid gardener, enjoys reading contemporary English literature, and is passionate about traveling—favoring

Dr. Carmen von Rohr is a sociologist with extensive research and learning design experience. She began her career as a digital learning designer in higher education at Cengage Learning before joining CRF in 2018 to contribute to research and learning content.

John Whelan is a Director at Corporate Research Forum. Formerly UK HR Director of BAE Systems, the FTSE 100 defence, security, and aerospace company, John’s experience and strengths lie in business and HR Transformation, Organisation Development and Employee Relations. Prior to joining BAE, he held a variety of HR roles in engineering, technology and manufacturing businesses across the telecommunications and semi-conductor industries including Matra-Marconi Space where he was HR Director for the UK and, latterly, Group HRD.