69% of Irish business leaders (70% globally) view the “triarchy” of talent, technology, and trade as core to their future M&A business strategy, according to a new M&A report launched by leading global law practice Eversheds Sutherland LLP.
71% of Irish business leaders (72% globally) see talent retention and acquisition as important in their organisations’ business strategy over the next year.
64% of Irish business leaders (and 62% globally) believe the ‘Great Resignation’ is acting as a catalyst for M&A as the battle for talent continues.
Technology continues to drive organisations’ business strategies with 76% of Irish business leaders (almost 80% globally) seeking to improve their cyber security and three-quarters seeking digital transformation. Globally, M&A is seen as a rapid way to absorb new technology and expertise, with 74% saying M&A was important in bridging technology gaps.
Impacted by supply chain disruption and trade sanctions, 73% of Irish business leaders (68% globally) say that increasing supply chain resilience will be a strategic M&A priority over the next year.
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69% of Irish business leaders (72% globally) also see increasing supply chain resilience as important to their organisation’s business strategy over the next year. In addition, in April 2022, 60% of global business leaders said supply chain dislocation as a result of the invasion of Ukraine would make vertical integration an increasingly important business strategy.
The global Eversheds Sutherland study is based on opinion research conducted in early 2022 amongst 1,200 business leaders across 16 markets around the world including Ireland and Northern Ireland. Respondents from a wide range of sectors provided both a detailed and expansive global view. In April 2022, a supplementary piece of research amongst 75 global business leaders provided insight into how the ongoing invasion of Ukraine is impacting M&A activity.
Enda Newton, Corporate Partner at Eversheds Sutherland, said: “After a turbulent few years in the wider business landscape, several factors are impacting the M&A environment. Notwithstanding these challenges, the study shows that organisations continue to face the same urgent strategic gaps that need to be bridged in order to grow. Our research revealed that the majority of Irish business leaders see talent, technology and trade as the main factors impacting the M&A landscape – these are the key strategic gaps that they will continue to seek to bridge through mergers and acquisitions activity.”
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Mr. Newton added: “While new, post-pandemic challenges remain, the Northern Ireland economy is rebounding at a quicker rate than other markets across the UK and Ireland. The economy in NI is growing again after a tough two years, with increased output and many sectors fully recovered after Covid. There is confidence among businesses again, with the NI Protocol, whilst remaining a sensitive issue, also helping to drive growth. Fully grasping the issues outlined in our report - talent, technology, and trade – will be key in continuing this upward trend and driving a strong M&A activity in Northern Ireland.”
For further information on the outlook for 2022 and to read the full Eversheds Sutherland LLP report click here.
Source: Written from press release.
