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Fast Company
23-05-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
The new era of M&A: Bridging transactions and transformation with AI
As our latest EY-Parthenon CEO Outlook says: 'Disruption never sleeps—and neither does the need to transform and create value.' In that context, making strategic choices is becoming far more difficult than ever before. Take AI: a huge opportunity—but also a significant challenge. Although AI has been part of the toolkit for some time, generative AI opens up a new world of possibilities for businesses across all sectors. One such opportunity is how AI can transform the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape. It is bringing unprecedented speed, accuracy, and strategic insights to every aspect of the transaction lifecycle. Deals can be supercharged with new capabilities, giving M&A teams the potential to unlock significantly more value. As AI continues to evolve, there will be three essential levers for AI-enabled M&A: 1. FASTER IDENTIFICATION OF INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE TAILORED TO THE INVESTMENT THESIS With advancements in AI, large language models (LLMs) and specialized language models are enabling companies to quickly scan large amounts of structured and unstructured data to identify potential acquisition targets aligned with their strategic goals. AI agents powered by the LLMs can now analyze financial health, growth patterns, competitive positioning, and even cultural compatibility with remarkable accuracy. For example, EY Competitive Edge is the proprietary platform used by EY-Parthenon to leverage the latest LLMs from Microsoft. It enables clients to screen for assets at pace, along with deep insights on competitive positioning to aid investment thesis and decision-making for M&A teams. EY-Parthenon helped a leading life science company create its strategy, which enabled it to innovate its business model and enter a new market in the chronic care segment. The platform's deep sector data brought in relevant insights on the landscape of companies within the category, competitor activities, and potential buy-versus-partnership opportunities to execute their growth ambitions. The team used its extensive sector experience to provide valuable recommendations that informed the company's strategic planning. 2. DEEP DUE DILIGENCE, FASTER AND MORE FOCUSED AI is transforming due diligence by enabling teams to dive deeper into analysis and extract more value from data. With AI-powered tools that analyze financials, flag risks, and identify synergies or redundancies, teams can uncover insights with greater precision. This shift allows teams to move beyond routine tasks and focus on providing high-value insights that drive better decision-making. Proprietary solutions like Diligence Edge enable us to see the forest for the trees. EY-Parthenon, which handles thousands of diligence deals each year, is already on the change management journey, with teams actively using its proprietary solutions on deals today. Featuring tools such as the Digital Diligence Assistant, the latest AI-enabled platform, embedded with EY Parthenon's deep diligence expertise, accelerates data analysis, empowering teams to deliver richer, data-driven insights that uncover deeper value. 3. BRIDGING TRANSACTION EXECUTION TO TRANSFORMATION Traditionally, M&A has been viewed as a two-step process: transaction, then transformation. But AI is bridging this gap, offering a continuous thread that connects transaction objectives with transformative post-deal value. It allows teams to have a more nuanced view of the synergies beyond traditional cost-cutting. AI-powered insights can highlight revenue growth opportunities, by identifying complementary capabilities and customer bases. EY Capital Edge is another tool that helps accelerate delivery and value realization by using more than 30 purpose-built apps in an integrated platform to streamline transaction and transformation execution. This AI-driven platform gives EY-Parthenon teams advising clients access to the latest leading practices, methodologies, and engagement accelerators to drive global collaboration. This brings significant value to clients to help organize the process and accelerate the deal process. THE OPPORTUNITY: LEVERAGING AI FOR SUSTAINABLE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE As AI continues to evolve, its role in M&A will only deepen. The companies that gain most will be those that view AI not as a mere efficiency tool, but as a strategic enabler for long-term value creation. Leveraging AI to streamline transactions while setting the stage for transformative growth offers companies a sustainable competitive advantage in a world where agility and adaptability are key. For dealmakers, this means a mindset shift: the ability to recognize AI as a bridge that seamlessly connects the transactional rigor of M&A with the strategic foresight needed for transformation. This holistic approach, where AI is embedded across all aspects of the M&A lifecycle, will be the differentiator in creating lasting value in an increasingly competitive landscape. In the near future, we can expect M&A processes powered by AI to be faster, smarter, and more strategically aligned than ever before. The companies that embrace this technology today are not just setting themselves up for successful transactions—they are laying the groundwork for sustained growth and innovation, and transforming the way we think about mergers and acquisitions in a digital-first world.
Business Recorder
08-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
CFO Conference 2025: Jean Bouquot President, International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)
TEXT: On behalf of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), it is my privilege to extend a warm welcome to all participants of the CFO Conference 2025, hosted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP). In today's rapidly evolving global landscape, finance leaders are at the forefront of transformative change—driven by technological disruption, heightened sustainability imperatives, and shifting stakeholder expectations. The theme of this year's conference, 'Quantum Leap: Agility & Competitive Edge,' aptly reflects the urgency for strategic adaptability and visionary leadership in navigating complexity. Across sectors and geographies, the role of the CFO has expanded significantly. No longer confined to financial stewardship, today's CFOs are catalysts for innovation, champions of purpose-driven growth, and custodians of long-term value. The conversations taking place at this forum are vital to shaping a resilient and forward-looking profession—one that IFAC is proud to support and advance. I commend ICAP for its unwavering dedication to professional excellence, thought leadership, and capacity building. I am delighted to learn about ICAP's initiative of the Professional Excellence Awards (PEA) and that its third edition is being conducted along with the CFO Conference. This commendable endeavor underscores the importance of recognizing and celebrating the achievements of ICAP members who have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and made significant impacts on their respective industries. I extend my best wishes to ICAP for the success of this initiative and eagerly await news of the winners' accomplishments. Initiatives such as the PEA not only celebrate outstanding contributions but also reinforce the benchmarks of integrity, innovation, and impact that define the future of finance. At IFAC, we remain committed to supporting the development, adoption, and implementation of high-quality international standards, preparing a future-ready accounting profession, and speaking out as the voice of the global accounting profession. Our work depends on collaboration across the IFAC family—of which ICAP is an important member. I applaud ICAP for convening this impactful platform for dialogue, insight, and inspiration. May this conference serve as a catalyst for transformative ideas and lasting partnerships that strengthen the role of CFOs in driving sustainable economic progress. Wishing you all a productive and inspiring experience at the CFO Conference 2025. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
07-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Financial management: CFOs are agents of transformation, says ICAP chief
KARACHI: The Professional Accountants in Business (PAIB) Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) successfully organized the CFO Conference 2025 under the theme 'Quantum Leap: Agility & Competitive Edge' at a local hotel. In his address of welcome, Saifullah, President ICAP, extended his appreciation to the guests, organizing committee, council members, sponsors and participants. He underscored the pivotal role of CFOs as agents of transformation — not only in ensuring sound financial management but also in steering organizations towards digital integration, ethical governance, and sustainable growth. Samiullah Siddiqui, Vice President and Chairman of the PAIB Committee at ICAP, highlighted the relevance of this year's theme as a reflection of the rapid transformation reshaping today's business and financial landscape. He emphasized the critical need for finance leaders to foster agility, adopt emerging technologies, and proactively create strategic value within their organizations. The keynote address, Leadership Metamorphosis: Recalibrating CFOs in Motion, was delivered by Saqib H Shirazi, CEO of Atlas Honda. He underscored the multidimensional evolution of the CFO role—from traditional financial stewardship to strategic business leadership—highlighting the CFO's capacity to drive performance, innovation, and resilience amid today's volatile economic landscape. A prominent feature of the conference was the panel discussion titled Empowered Growth: Leveraging the Digital Ecosystem, moderated by Syed Faraz Anwer, Partner at A.F. Ferguson & Co. The panel brought together distinguished leaders including Humayun Sajjad, CEO of Mashreq Bank; Rizwan Ata, CEO of Bank Islami; and Farrah Rostamzaad, Head of Client Servicing at Marsh. The session offered deep insights into unlocking scalable growth through digital transformation, data-driven decision-making, and enhanced financial agility. In a thought-provoking presentation titled Ethics in AI: Safeguarding Trust & Transparency in Finance, global technology thought leader Mr. Warren Knight examined the critical intersection of artificial intelligence and ethics. He underscored the necessity of robust governance frameworks to uphold transparency, trust, and accountability in algorithmic decision-making within the financial sector. Mr. Jamil Qureshi, Federal Secretary of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), delivered an insightful address on Investment Opportunities in Pakistan: Evolving Business Climate, shedding light on Pakistan's strategic potential and the growing landscape of opportunities for both local and international investors. Arshad Mahmud, acclaimed music composer and actor, shared his reflections in a captivating session titled Notes, Numbers & Narratives: The Arshad Mahmud Perspective. The session provided a profound exploration of the intersection between creativity, culture, and personal evolution, offering valuable insights into the artistic and human dimensions often overlooked in the world of finance. The human capital dimension was brought into focus through the panel discussion titled The Human Balance Sheet: Future-Proofing Talent & Leadership. The panel featured distinguished speakers including M. Ahmad Khan, Director HR, Dawlance and Sharon Ditchburn, Vice Chairperson, IFAC PAIB Advisory Group, and was expertly moderated by Farhan Mithani, CEO, QICT. The discourse underscored the imperative of cultivating diverse talent pipelines, embedding future-ready competencies, and fostering leadership grounded in empathy and adaptability. In an engaging fireside chat titled Beyond Compliance: ESG for Sustainable Success, Memosh Khawaja, Founder of ILMNET, joined environmentalist Afia Salam to examine the evolving ESG landscape. The dialogue emphasized the need for finance leaders to transcend compliance-driven frameworks and integrate sustainability as a strategic imperative within organizational DNA. Lee White, Chief Executive Officer of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), delivered a compelling keynote address titled Finance in the Age of Acceleration: Navigating Complexity with Agility. He urged finance professionals to proactively embrace artificial intelligence, sustainability imperatives, and inclusive leadership models to sustain relevance and competitiveness in an increasingly complex global economy. The concluding panel discussion, Riding the Economic Wave, convened eminent thought leaders in finance and journalism, including Khurram Schehzad, Advisor to the Finance Minister of Pakistan; Mr. Amjad Waheed, CEO, NBP Funds; Irfan Siddiqui, CEO, Meezan Bank; and Shabbar Zaidi, Former Chairman, FBR. Moderated by M. Shuja Qureshi, Presenter of Nukta, the session provided critical insights into Pakistan's macroeconomic trajectory, fiscal policy landscape, and evolving business environment. The conference also featured the third edition of the Professional Excellence Awards, celebrating exemplary leadership and transformative impact across diverse sectors. In the Business Enabler – Public Entities category, accolades were presented to Mr. Muhammad Rizwan (K-Electric), Mr. Salman Amin (Competition Commission of Pakistan), and Mr. Mohammed Irfan Amanullah (Attock Cement). The Business Leader – Non-Public Entities award was conferred upon Kamran Nishat (Muller & Phipps), while the Public Entities category recognized Muhammad Ali Zeb (Adamjee Insurance) and Farhan M. Haroon (Haleon Pakistan). The Emerging Leader Award honored Iqra Sajjad (Packages Group), Basat Humayun (Samba Bank), and Saad Un Nabi Khan (P&G Pakistan). In the Finance Leader category, Imtiaz Jaleel (Tapal Tea) was awarded for Non-Public Entities, while Syed Manzar Hassan (PAEL) and Shagufta S. Hassan (Aga Khan University) were recognized under Public Entities. The Overseas Excellence Awards acknowledged global contributions from Dr. Rahim Somani (America), Khurram Nagori (Europe), Humayun Habib (ASEAN/Oceania Region), Asad Zain (KSA), and Abdul Haleem Sheikh (UAE). This year also marked the introduction of the Entrepreneur Leadership Award, bestowed upon Faisal Qamar, Co-Founder & CEO of Decibel BPO Pvt. Ltd. The well-attended conference provided a platform to leading industry experts and business professionals to discuss, debate and seek pragmatic solutions of emerging business and finance issues. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
PVPC kicks off National Bike Month with community events
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) is leading a region-wide celebration with a calendar of events in honor of National Bike Month. PVPC updates Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan This month-long initiative promotes bicycling as a healthy, sustainable, and accessible mode of transportation by partnering with local governments, businesses, and advocacy organizations. What began years ago as a modest Bike Commute Week has expanded into a full, vibrant calendar of events across the Pioneer Valley, reflecting a growing commitment to biking and active transportation in western Massachusetts. Throughout the month, PVPC and its partners will host a range of inclusive activities, from group rides and educational workshops to bike-friendly breakfasts and community festivals, designed to engage residents of all ages and skill levels. Here's a snapshot of events scheduled for the first week of May: East Longmeadow : Ladies Road Ride, Wednesday, May 7, 5:30 p.m., Competitive Edge Shop Springfield : Finish the Rail Trail Presentation, Thursday, May 8, 12:15-1:30 p.m., The Museums Amherst: Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Public Engagement Table, Saturday, May 10 at 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Sustainability Festival at the Town Commons Northampton: Birding By Bike, Saturday, May 10, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Veterans Field Northampton: (DIY) Bike Fixing Bike Lab, Saturday, May 10 at 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Northern Ave. PVPC hopes the events will inspire more residents to consider biking for transportation and recreation, and encourage long-term investment in bike-friendly infrastructure across the region. Residents are encouraged to participate in upcoming events and share feedback on local biking infrastructure. A full event calendar is available on Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ConocoPhillips plans layoffs as part of restructuring effort following Marathon Oil acquisition
ConocoPhillips, a leading US oil and gas producer, has announced plans to reduce its workforce as part of a broader initiative to cut costs and streamline operations following the company's $23bn acquisition of Marathon Oil, reported Reuters, citing sources. The oil and gas sector is currently grappling with financial challenges as companies struggle to maintain profitability with oil prices around $63 per barrel. The planned layoffs at ConocoPhillips reflect wider industry trends, with other oil giants such as Chevron and SLB also announcing job cuts earlier this year. To guide its restructuring, ConocoPhillips has enlisted the services of Boston Consulting Group, the report said. The internal project, dubbed 'Competitive Edge', aims to centralise certain functions and reorganise both operational and corporate sectors. "We are always looking at how we can be more efficient with the resources we have. As part of this process, we have informed employees that workforce reductions are anticipated," a ConocoPhillips spokesperson was quoted as saying. The specifics of the layoffs are expected to be disclosed in the fourth quarter (Q4), with the company yet to determine the extent of the staff reductions. As of the end of 2024, ConocoPhillips employed approximately 11,800 individuals across 14 countries. The company has grown significantly through major acquisitions including the purchase of Marathon Oil, Shell's Permian Basin assets and Concho Resources. However, the industry has faced difficulties, with ConocoPhillips previously laying off up to 500 Houston employees in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic's impact on energy demand and prices. In addition to the restructuring, ConocoPhillips is reportedly looking to divest some assets including oil and gas holdings in Oklahoma acquired from Marathon Oil. These moves are part of the company's strategy to optimise its portfolio and focus on core areas of business. "ConocoPhillips plans layoffs as part of restructuring effort following Marathon Oil acquisition" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
