Experts predict another strong year ahead at Outlook for M&A 2022
The Mergers and Acquisitions Research Centre (MARC) at Bayes Business School (formerly Cass) hosted its 12th annual Outlook for M&A on Monday 24th January.
More than 200 students, alumni, academics and practitioners joined the virtual event, with expert panellists providing an engaging conversation outlining forecasts for 2022 in the M&A market.
The event was hosted by Professor Scott Moeller, Director of MARC and Professor in the Practice of Finance at Bayes, with the discussion chaired by Susan Kilsby, Chairman of the MARC Advisory Board.
Ms Kilsby was joined on the panel by global experts from sponsor organisations:
- Cyril Auger, Managing Director, Ardian
- Cathal Deasy, Global Head of M&A,at Credit Suisse
- Marie-Laure Keyrouz, Head of Insights for M&A and ECM at Mergermarket
- Matt Wells, Vice President, Global Product Marketing & Strategy, at SS&C Intralinks
The event reviewed 2021 in the M&A market – a record-breaking year for global deal volume and value – before panellists forecast likely movements for the 12 months ahead.
Topics of conversation included the rise in preference for Environmental, Social and Governance-friendly (ESG) targets, the spread of shareholder activism into Europe, the transfer of activity away from China in several key industries due to protectionism, and the effects on inflation and rising interest rates on deal activity.
The event concluded with questions from the audience, addressing multiples on deals, Chinese investment patterns, the rise of digital payments as a transaction currency and the return of face-to-face due diligence in a post-pandemic world.
Ms Kilsby, chairing her eleventh panel, was pleased with the depth of discussion:
“Each year new topics arise which shape the industry and attract our attention.
“It was a pleasure to once again lead such an insightful discussion with some of the leading experts in M&A. MARC exists to provide cutting edge research insights, and the annual Outlook event is just one way we bring industry and academia together to provide thought leadership in this important field.”
Professor Moeller said all eyes were on M&A for 2022 following the success of the last 12 months:
“The Outlook for M&A is our chance to share thoughts on the state of the field with leading industry figures and an engaged audience of students, alumni and guests.
“The big question on everyone’s mind is whether 2022 can offer more of the same following on from an unprecedented 2021. Consensus from the panel is that we are in for another strong year, if not quite hitting the same heights of deal activity as last year – perhaps the second highest level of annual activity ever.
“We are thankful to all panellists and guests, as ever, and look forward to seeing what this year holds in store.
Find out more about the Mergers and Acquisitions Research Centre (MARC).