The Círculo Ecuestre hosted an event featuring Oriol Pinya, founding partner and CEO of Abac Capital; Silvia González Ehlers, IT management and technology expert and founder of Ehlers Group Consulting; and Josep María Serra, Chief Corporate and Finance Officer of Ficosa, moderated by María Masó, a member of the Club and partner at Worldera Tech. The after-work gathering, titled "M&A Beyond Transition: Strategy, Integration, and Value Creation," took place on February 18th.
During the event, Oriol Pinya explained that in any M&A transaction, it is essential to determine what is being acquired, how the price is structured, and how team incentives are aligned. He also pointed out that proper planning from the beginning to the closing of the transaction allows for maximizing value and preventing unrealized synergies.
For his part, Josep María Serra emphasized that strategic discipline and internal organization are crucial for an effective acquisition. The expert also emphasized the importance of having a specialized team, clear governance structures, and an orderly approach to integrating processes and systems, preventing the operation from destabilizing the company.
Silvia González Ehlers stressed the role of technology as a driver of post-M&A value creation. The founder of Ehlers Group Consulting also noted that nearly 50% of synergies stem from technological initiatives and warned that neglecting this aspect can compromise the efficiency and profitability of the integration. She illustrated her comments with practical examples of system adaptation and critical process management.
The after-work event held at the Barcelona club concluded with an open Q&A session for members, during which the experts answered questions about leadership, risks, and integration strategies. They agreed that the success of an M&A transaction depends as much on planning and people management as on the correct technological implementation, beyond the initial price or valuation.