A service of

Peter Harbula, Head of M&A at Group Spie, on the day in the life of a Head of M&A


In a recent ION Influencers Fireside Chat, host Giovanni Amodeo conversed with Peter Harbula, Head of M&A at Group Spie, about the intricacies of managing mergers and acquisitions. Here are the key topics discussed:

Peter Harbula’s Background: Harbula shared his extensive experience leading M&A departments in various French corporations over 18 years, successfully overseeing 180 deals worth over €6 billion.

Overview of Group Spie: Harbula described Group Spie as an international leader in multi-technical services, focusing on energy and communication, with substantial market presence and revenue.

Role of M&A in Corporate Strategy: The discussion emphasized how M&A plays a crucial role in shaping corporate strategy, particularly in identifying growth opportunities and enhancing operational capabilities.

Success Metrics: Harbula argued that success in M&A should not be measured solely by the number of deals but by qualitative factors such as effective stakeholder interaction and maintaining neutrality throughout the process.

Post-Merger Evaluation: He highlighted the importance of analyzing synergies after acquisitions and the role of business unit sponsors in ensuring successful integration and accountability.

Leadership and Responsibility: The conversation touched on who should take responsibility for transformational acquisitions, often pointing to the chairman or head of strategy as key figures in the process.

Professional Development: Harbula discussed potential career paths for M&A leaders beyond traditional roles, suggesting opportunities in CFO or strategy head positions.

Healthy Organizational Culture: The discussion concluded with Harbula emphasizing the importance of a healthy corporate culture that prioritizes objective decision-making over the desire to execute high-profile deals.

Key Takeaways

  • Strategic Importance: M&A is integral to corporate growth and should be approached with a focus on both qualitative and quantitative success metrics.
  • Collaborative Process: Successful M&A requires collaboration and respect for all organizational layers, ensuring everyone feels included in the process.
  • Career Opportunities: Skills gained in M&A can prepare professionals for diverse leadership roles beyond finance.

Key timestamps:

00:09 Introduction to the Fireside Chat
01:15 Overview of Group Spie Operations
02:49 Understanding M&A Mandates
06:24 Reporting Structures in M&A
10:26 Navigating Market Pressures in M&A
12:17 Public vs. Private Organization Dynamics
14:39 Sourcing Deals Internally
17:54 Encouraging Internal Deal Suggestions
19:30 Establishing Credibility in Banking Relationships
21:30 Navigating the M&A Process
22:16 Evaluating Success Metrics in M&A
24:16 Responsibility in Large Transformational Acquisitions
25:29 Career Progression Beyond M&A