UK & France: M&A Rebound Spurs Demand for Finance Talent

After a period of volatility and cautious capital deployment, M&A activity is on the rise in both the UK and France—pushing up demand for finance professionals who are transaction-ready. From CFOs with deal experience to FP&A leads fluent in integration dynamics, firms preparing for deals need people who can manage complexity, drive value, and perform under scrutiny.

1. CFOs with Transaction Experience Are in High Demand

In the UK, private equity deal-making hit £63 billion across 305 deals in 2024, nearing record levels (Wikipedia). Firms with CFOs who have successfully navigated exits or integrations are especially sought after.
In France, H1 2024 saw impressive PE activity—US$24.1 billion across 291 deals, the highest among continental European countries (mergers.whitecase.com). CFOs with cross-border M&A know-how are increasingly prized.

2. Deal-Ready Finance Teams Are Strategic Must-Haves

UK: In H1 2025, 29 deals over £5 million were announced in the investment sector—16 % more than H1 2024—with 72 % involving a PE buyer (MarshBerry). Finance teams need to master deal mechanics across FP&A, tax, treasury, and control.
France: Q3 2024 M&A activity in financial services surged 216 % quarter-over-quarter (to $6 billion), with deal volume up 63 % (Retail Banker International). Finance functions must be ready—with clean data, agile processes, and integration capability.

3. Interim & Project-Based Roles Accelerate Hiring Agility

Given compressed timelines and deal complexity, firms in both countries are turning to interim specialists: M&A analysts, integration managers, and carve-out controllers. This model brings flexibility and rapid capability without long-term hiring commitments.

4. Private Equity Influence Shapes Talent Strategy

UK: KPMG reports that 2024 saw 1,699 PE transactions worth £158.9 billion—deal values climbed nearly 12 % year-on-year (KPMG). PE involvement continues to drive demand for strategic finance talent.
France: Private equity deal value is forecasted to reach around €47 billion in 2025 (StatistaStatista). The market’s increasing tilt toward tech and innovation investments adds to the need for digitally savvy, commercially minded professionals.

5. Competition for Talent Is Fierce—and Fast

In both markets, top-tier M&A-savvy professionals are quickly snapped up. Employers with clear hiring briefs, streamlined processes, and decisive execution consistently win the talent war.

Why It Matters Now

With UK and French M&A markets picking up—especially in private equity and financial services—firms need deal-capable finance professionals now more than ever. Whether in permanent or interim roles, these hires are about building deal agility and strategic execution capabilities for growth, value creation, and exit readiness.

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