M&A Science Podcast

Stew Campbell, Partner at TCG, returns to the M&A Science podcast to break down how founders can evaluate growth equity partners, run their own competitive capital process, and preserve long-term value through strategic investor relationships.

Explore how growth equity works for founder-led companies with Stew Campbell, Partner at TCG. Learn how boards create value, how to align on long-term goals, and what separates elite investors in M&A.

Learn how Rob Brown, CEO of Lincoln International, drives global M&A through a strategic blend of cultural diligence, AI innovation, and aggressive integration planning. Discover firsthand lessons on evaluating acquisitions, navigating cross-border complexities, and scaling M&A with intention.

on brings legal insight from both sides of the table, sharing practical strategies for aligning deal terms with investment objectives, mitigating downside risk, and building strong seller relationships. Whether you’re a corporate buyer or a fund-backed operator, this episode will help sharpen your deal judgment.

Paul Miller joins us to share his extensive experience in M&A, having led more than 90 acquisitions throughout his career. Paul reveals how Questex uses a proactive, buyer-led approach focused on culture, strategic alignment, and integration discipline.

Larry shares how he transformed ZRG into one of the fastest-growing executive search and talent advisory firms through 17 acquisitions in just four years.

Clare Roberts shares her journey of founding Kids Planet and growing it into one of the UK’s largest childcare providers with 225 nurseries. She reveals how she balanced organic growth with strategic acquisitions while staying true to her company’s values. Clare discusses the importance of culture in M&A, managing seller relationships, and how to maintain operational quality during rapid expansion.

Becky Manders, Head of Acquisition Finance at IVC Evidensia, shares insights on how they successfully execute a global M&A roll-up strategy.

In this week's M&A Science episode, NYC corporate M&A lawyer Tina Kassangana joins us to unpack the legal landmines that can derail deals—before and after closing. From working capital disputes to earnout litigation and navigating complex contract conflicts, Tina brings sharp, practical advice that every buyer needs in their playbook. If you're building a repeatable M&A process, this one’s a must-listen.

Dive into how Carson Group scaled their M&A program from internal investments to proprietary dealmaking—executing 14 deals in just one year. Hear from Michael Belluomini, SVP of M&A, on how his team balances volume, speed, and cultural fit.

What if M&A could be a force for good? In this week’s episode of M&A Science, Barry-Wehmiller’s CEO Bob Chapman and President Kyle Chapman share how they’ve built a $3.6B global business on the foundation of Truly Human Leadership. You’ll learn how to lead with culture, plan integrations with care, and why the best buyers adopt—not acquire. Tap in for an inspiring blueprint for culture-first, Buyer-Led M&A.

Part 2 of this episode continues the conversation with Visma’s Head of M&A, Sindre Holen. Go behind the scenes of Visma’s valuation approach, how they support founders post-close, and what it takes to integrate (or not) in a high-volume deal environment.

In Part 1 of this episode, Sindre Talleraas Holen, Head of M&A at Visma, shares how the company scaled its M&A function across 30+ countries. Learn how Visma sources deals, adapts to cultural nuances, and empowers local teams to drive growth—all while maintaining a disciplined, buyer-led approach.

Ron “Omani” Carson shares how a mindset transformation reshaped his approach to leadership, company culture, and M&A. From burnout to billion-dollar growth, this is a founder’s story of purpose, systems, and building with love.

Andrew Bab of Debevoise & Plimpton unpacks the latest legal challenges in healthcare M&A, from state regulatory hurdles to Delaware case law and the growing scrutiny on private equity. Learn how to navigate risk, compliance, and deal structure in one of the most regulated sectors of M&A.

Hugh MacArthur, Chairman of Bain & Company’s Global Private Equity Practice, joins the M&A Science podcast to unpack the evolution of private equity. From early deal structures to today's AI-powered due diligence, Hugh shares hard-earned lessons on scaling strategy, value creation, and thriving in a hypercompetitive landscape.

Learn how to strategically navigate corporate bankruptcy and restructuring from Ben Beller, Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell. From Chapter 11 planning to distressed M&A opportunities, Ben breaks down legal strategies that drive value.

Starting a business from scratch is challenging, but Ashish Achlerkar, Founder and Chairman of NearU, took a unique path—leveraging M&A as a tool for entrepreneurship. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Ashish shares how he transitioned from investment banking to building a multi-state, multi-million-dollar business in the skilled trades industry.

Michael Hoy, Executive Vice Chairman of Great Day Improvements, shares how a people-centric approach to M&A fuels growth. Learn how Great Day prioritizes trust, transparency, and financial alignment to integrate acquisitions successfully and build a national home improvement leader.

Serial acquisitions bring unique challenges, from managing multiple deals at different stages to ensuring strategic alignment across business functions. Gwen Pope and Tracie Smith of Tiger Team M&A share their approach to building repeatable M&A frameworks, establishing clear decision-making structures, and avoiding common integration pitfalls. Whether you’re a seasoned M&A leader or refining your acquisition strategy, this episode delivers actionable insights to help you optimize your deal execution.

If you're an investor, corporate executive, or M&A professional, this episode delivers actionable insights into distressed deal-making, creditor negotiations, and structuring bankruptcy sales. Learn from one of the industry’s top legal minds on how to successfully execute complex distressed M&A transactions.

Learn how to assess and mitigate antitrust risk, structure deals to avoid regulatory roadblocks, and navigate today’s evolving enforcement landscape.

From building a world-class acquisition strategy to navigating complex deal negotiations, Jeff shares hard-earned insights that every M&A leader can learn from. If you're looking to understand how to execute M&A at scale while maintaining a people-first approach, this episode is a must-listen.

From handling legal risks to leveraging technology for due diligence, John Orbe provides actionable insights into executing large-scale M&A deals. If you're an M&A professional, legal expert, or corporate strategist, gain valuable lessons on structuring high-stakes transactions.