Mergers & Acquisitions

At Lewis & Ellis, we leverage our extensive actuarial expertise and deep industry knowledge to guide you through the complexities of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A). Our comprehensive approach encompasses due diligence, valuation, integration planning, and post-acquisition support to ensure seamless transactions that maximize value and minimize risks.

With over 50 years of actuarial and consulting expertise, including M&A services, one of our greatest assets is our ability to explain technical concepts in an easy and accessible way for our clients. We’re not a one-size-fits-all shop, just like your business is unique from every other brand. We pride ourselves on listening first to client needs and then tailoring our services specifically to that project.

Maximize Growth With Expert Mergers and Acquisitions Consulting

M&A consulting is a specialized service that helps businesses navigate the complex process of buying, selling, merging, or restructuring companies. M&A consultants provide strategic guidance, financial analysis, due diligence, valuation, risk assessment, and negotiation support to ensure a smooth and successful transaction.

Our team allows partners to keep a pulse on what’s going on in the industry, ensuring clients are always one step ahead of the competition and ready for anything. With five decades of experience in this field, we also bring an impressive network of firms outside of the actuarial space, such as attorneys, distributors, and investment bankers. This keeps our valuable connections sharp and ensures we have intel across business lines, which directly drives client success.

Why Choose Lewis & Ellis for M&A Consulting?

M&A work is extremely intense, requiring a vast amount of highly technical work done in a short window of time. You want a partner who can deliver expert consulting exactly when and how you need it.

Here’s what our team brings to the table:

Proven Success in Mergers and Acquisitions

With our vast experience guiding businesses through complex transactions, Lewis & Ellis has a track record of successful mergers and acquisitions. Our team of experts has worked with a diverse range of clients, helping them achieve strategic growth, optimize deal structures, and navigate regulatory challenges. We bring deep industry expertise, innovative solutions, and a client-focused approach to every engagement.

Rigorous Due Diligence

An effective M&A process begins with thorough due diligence. We delve deep into the financials, operations, contracts, and liabilities of your target company to identify potential risks and opportunities. Our detailed analysis offers a clear understanding of the target's business model, financial health, competitive positioning, and market trends, setting the stage for informed decision-making.

Accurate Valuation Services

Understanding the true value of an acquisition target or a merging entity is crucial. Our experts use robust valuation methodologies and models to determine the fair market value of businesses, insurance portfolios, and other assets. We consider multiple factors, such as future earnings potential, financial risks, and market conditions, to provide an accurate, defensible valuation.

Unbiased, Independent Advice

As an independent consulting firm, Lewis & Ellis provides unbiased advice, free from conflicts of interest. We prioritize your interests and goals, offering transparent, objective insights and recommendations throughout the M&A process.

Our M&A Consulting Services

Strategy and Target Identification

A successful M&A strategy starts with identifying the right opportunities. Lewis & Ellis helps businesses define their acquisition or merger goals, assess market conditions, and pinpoint potential targets that align with their strategic vision.

Due Diligence and Risk Assessment

Thorough due diligence is critical to mitigating risks and ensuring a smooth transaction. Our team conducts in-depth financial, operational, legal, and regulatory assessments to uncover potential challenges and hidden liabilities.

Valuation and Financial Modeling

Accurate valuation is the foundation of any successful deal. Using sophisticated financial models and industry-leading methodologies, we determine the fair market value of businesses, insurance portfolios, and other assets.

Deals and Negotiation Support

Negotiating a deal that aligns with your financial and strategic goals requires expert guidance. We provide hands-on support during negotiations, helping structure deals that optimize terms, mitigate risks, and create long-term value.

Strategic Integration Planning

The successful execution of M&A transactions requires careful planning and coordination. We assist in designing and implementing strategic integration plans that align the operations, technologies, and cultures of merging entities. Our goal is to facilitate a smooth transition, minimize disruption, and expedite the realization of synergy benefits.

Post-Acquisition Support

Our support doesn't end once the deal is closed. We offer comprehensive post-acquisition services to ensure the successful execution of your integration strategy and the achievement of your business objectives. These services include financial reporting, risk management, and ongoing performance monitoring and assessment.

Who We Help

Any time an insurance company is considering being sold or combined with another entity, M&A consulting services are required to determine an estimate of the fair market value of the entity. At Lewis & Ellis, we provide life, health, and property and casualty services, and can deliver M&A solutions to any company selling these types of products. Our team also works with blocks of businesses that organizations may want to divest.

On top of serving insurance and investment bankers, we partner with regulatory bodies to review and approve M&A deals. Our role is to help regulators understand the complexities and risks involved so they can make the best decisions surrounding these transactions.

Our typical partners include:

• Corporations and business owners
• Private equity and investment firms
• Startups and growth companies

M&A work offers an independent, outside view into how a company might be bought and sold in the open market. This provides valuable insight so brands can make informed, unbiased decisions.

The M&A Process: How We Guide You

1. Initial assessment: Gain a complete understanding of the client’s needs at the beginning of a project so everyone’s on the same page.
2. Market research: Gather extensive information on industry trends and patterns, potential risks, and customer expectations.
3. Diligence evaluation: Complete due diligence of the company regarding financial data, its management, operations, distribution channels, product information, asset management, and existing actuarial modeling capabilities.
4. Team assembly: Put together the optimal Lewis & Ellis team members based on due diligence of the company.
5. Deal negotiation: Use actuarial models to determine the fair market value of the business. Then, we collaborate with stakeholders to align on deal terms and structure, as well as offer guidance to support the negotiation process from a financial and actuarial perspective.
6. Post-merger integration: Support the alignment of financial reporting, risk management, and operational structures. Maintain availability for ongoing consultation as the combined entity moves forward.

Get Started With Expert M&A Consulting

By partnering with Lewis and Ellis, you can find the right solution for your unique situation. Our team will create a clear blueprint for your business, guiding you through the M&A process while helping you remain competitive and strategic.

Contact us to connect with an M&A expert today

M&A Consulting FAQs

What is M&A consulting?

M&A stands for Mergers and Acquisitions, which assists companies with buying, selling, or merging with other businesses. M&A consultants help these companies with the strategic and operational steps to ensure this process goes smoothly.

How does M&A consulting differ from other types of consulting?

M&A consulting differs from other types of consulting due to its highly intense and time-sensitive nature. It encompasses all aspects of actuarial consulting, such as modeling, experience studies, assumption development, technical report writing, financial statement review, asset management, and liability valuation. It also involves close collaboration with other disciplines, including accounting, finance, investment bankers, lawyers, and compliance professionals. The key focus is building robust actuarial models to project and evaluate a business’s value.

What are the benefits of hiring an M&A consulting firm?

By working with a consulting firm, you gain access to seasoned professionals with deep knowledge of the M&A process, industry trends, and best practices. On top of that, these professionals will develop insightful actuarial and financial models to determine a business’s fair market value, informing your decision-making process.