Brian Higgins, Partner at Rickitt Mitchell, featured in the December 2009 issue of Insider Magazine as part of a round table discussion with other professionals from the region to debate the benefits from, and issues with, merger transactions in the current market.

The discussion covered the point that although the coming together of two firms or companies may be referred to as a merger, this is often the case only for political reasons as, technically, mergers very rarely take place in practise - there is generally an acquirer and disposer in such transactions.

Synergies, barriers to organic growth and the need to acquire 'missing' skill sets or products were cited as the primary reasons for undertaking merger transactions. It was agreed that culture alignment and the integration of staff with appropriate hierarchies are possibly the most difficult issues to overcome.

The general view was that there is likely to be increased merger activity as we move into 2010, particularly amongst professional services firms, due to the general contraction of the market.

If you require any advice in relation to a potential merger or acquisition deal, please call Brian Higgins on 0161 834 0600.

The full article can be found on page 75 of North West Business Insider, December 2009. To obtain a copy, please contact the Insider General Enquiries team on 0161 907 9711 or see the Insider Media website, www.insidermedia.com.