Skip to main content
Submit RFP

      We assist clients in estimating the risks and added value associated with human capital management and in supporting their decision-making processes. We support post-trade integration by providing change management services, preventing loss of know-how through the retention of key talent, integration of organisational cultures and HR transformation.

      Submit request

      What is M&A HR advisory and change management, and why is it so important?

      • Retention of key individuals
      • Sustaining employee engagement in delivering objectives
      • Improvement of process and staffing efficiency
      • Ensuring smooth communication between transaction parties
      • Managing cultural differences

      These HR-led areas have a measurable impact on the effectiveness of the M&A and business separation process.

      Addressing them is important from the moment of Due Diligence, where, among other things, by analysing employment costs or assessing management quality, they can influence the parties' decisions and affect valuation. They should be part of the integration plan from the outset, allowing synergies to be generated and transformation to take place, rather than just mitigating risks.

      Companies’ HR challenges during M&A processes

      • Understanding the impact of human capital management on the company's financials

        HR Due Diligence is an essential risk-assessment and value-identification tool that investors are increasingly reaching for before making decisions.

      • Loss of know-how due to resignations of key employees

        A failure to identify key people and plan retention activities is a threat to business continuity (BAU) and to the implementation of a post-transaction strategy.

      • Achieving cost synergies

        It is crucial to quickly identify opportunities that enable optimisation of the employment level and organisational structure as well as the remuneration policy. This includes an analysis of HR policies, processes and tools when it comes to executing deals.

      • Carrying out the integration at the planned pace

        The effectiveness of the integration or separation process itself has a direct bearing on the return on investment. It is influenced by, among other things, differences in company cultures and how the change is managed.

      What will you gain from HR Deal advisory and change management services?

      • Clarity on staffing issues prior to the transaction – making better decisions and being able to plan proper actions for the integration or separation of the business in advance.
      • Reduced resistance to change among employees.
      • Retention of business-critical employees and selection of managers with the competencies necessary for the new reality.
      • Understanding cultural differences and their impact on goal achievement – being able to consciously shape the desired culture.
      • Optimisation of the organisational structure and employment levels.
      • Alignment of the HR strategy, processes and structure with business objectives.
      • Adjustment of the remuneration system and incentive plans.

      KPMG HR Deal Advisory & Change Management services

      • Remuneration Schemes
        • Unification of remuneration packages in the entity post-merger (base salary, benefits)
        • Analysis of the performance management process in terms of post-transactional KPIs / business priorities
        • Revision and definition of incentive plans / bonus schemes
        • Definition of the remuneration policy (salary ranges, salary increase policy)
        • Internal and external remuneration benchmarking (to the degree possible based on available data)
      • Change Management
        • Change readiness assessment and analysis of change impact on particular functions
        • Analysis of lessons learned from the way change has been carried out in the past
        • Analysis of stakeholders and development of an action plan for each group
        • Preparation of internal change communication
        • Assessment of change management skills of managers and their development
        • Monitoring change sentiment at different stages of integration
      • Culture Assessment
        • Analysis of cultural differences between integrating companies (surveys and interviews)
        • Assessment of the impact of differences on the expected business outcomes of the transaction
        • Identification of desired employee behaviours and ways of implementing them
        • Support in building a new company culture through, among other things, HR transformation (processes, roles, KPIs)
      • Talent Management
        • Identyfikacja kluczowych ról i kluczowych talentów dla okresu integracji/ wydzielenia biznesów i po jej zakończeniu
        • Opracowanie strategii utrzymania talentów, pracowników
        • Ocena członków zarządu i kluczowych menedżerów w celu wyłonienia liderów o najlepszym dopasowaniu biznesowym, doradztwo w wyborze kadry zarządzającej
      • HR Due Diligence
        • Analysis of the level and form of employment (contracts), personnel costs, staff turnover and absenteeism
        • Verification of the remuneration system and additional benefits provided by the employer
        • Analysis of key employees and management profiles
        • Analysis of the organisational structure (span of management, size of teams, number of levels, etc.)
        • Analysis of the HR function (structure, processes, competencies)
        • Analysis of relations with trade unions (including terms of collective agreements)

      About us

      As the HR Deal Advisory & Change Management team at KPMG, we support clients with human capital management at every stage of an M&A transaction. We combine HR / human capital consulting expertise with years of experience in the M&A field

      Contact us


      Learn more about how KPMG's knowledge and technology can help you and your business.

      Submit request

      Our experts

      Iwona Sprycha | KPMG in Poland
      Iwona Sprycha

      Partner, Deal Advisory

      KPMG in Poland