Business and People Strategy
Delivering Value Through Mergers and Acquisitions – HR’s Critical Role
It has become axiomatic that too high a percentage of mergers are ill-conceived and poorly executed. At their outset there is bullish talk of synergies, combined strengths and market share, only for senior executives to later acknowledge that very few of the benefits were realised. HR must share responsibility for this.
It has a critical role to play in the identification, due diligence and integration phases of M&A. Early participation of HR professionals is needed to identify critical talent or capabilities in the market that support the strategic development of the company.
Notwithstanding the impact of Covid-19, the data reveals an encouraging counter-intuitive growth strategy for those companies prepared to turn crisis into opportunity. Periods of economic volatility generally lead to increased consolidation or restructuring and higher levels of M&A activity, with greater potential returns for those who move quickly.
We will hear from IMD business school’s Salvatore Cantale on the drivers for M&A, from brand acquisition and market share to talent acquisition and enhancing digital capability. We will also explore case studies with senior HR practitioners who have been central to their company’s growth through acquisition and examine how the post Covid-19 environment might change some M&A assessments.
Learning objectives:
- Identify how HR can help develop competitive advantage by maximising the value of M&A
- Explore the unique contribution of HR at each phase of the process, target identification, due diligence, completion, post-deal integration
- Consider how to assess, integrate and transform cultures during and post-transaction
- Review your company’s approach to the people and culture elements of M&A.
Speakers
Salvatore Cantale
Professor of Finance, IMD Business School
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
Independent
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.
Robert Garber
HR M&A Advisor, Post-Merger Integration Expert
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.
George Goudriaan
Senior International HR Manager, ABN AMRO
George Goudriaan is a senior international HR manager at ABN AMRO Bank NV, where he is the HR Workstream lead of the bank’s Corporate Development activities. George also acts as interim country HR manager in various countries of ABN AMRO. For the past two years George has been heading the German HR operations in Frankfurt. Another part of his job is being a member of the Supervisory Board of the Dutch ABN AMRO Pension Plan. Before joining Human Resources, George worked as a Private Banker, followed by a role as Business Manager, expanding the bank’s global Corporate Banking footprint. As a long standing employee of ABN AMRO, George knows all aspects of the banking business and is now a passionate HR leader who enjoys working on projects that relate to organisational design and continuous improvement of the bank and its employees. George holds a Master’s Degree in International Business Administration from Erasmus University, Rotterdam.
Dr. Carmen von Rohr
Research Manager, Corporate Research Forum
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 MBE
Director, CRF
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.
