People in deals

Delivering deal value through people

As organisations deal with a fast-transforming business environment they are looking into transactions to find the right talented people, technology and ideas to drive innovation and power-up growth. If organisations give sufficient attention to the people-side of a transaction, they can avoid losing transaction value. When they develop a good approach to the people-side of a transaction, they can even add value in the transaction.

HR professionals in deal process

Pensions risks and labour relations are important to take into account during the process. Leaner HR structures within organisations create the need for flexible HR professionals who can support you throughout the deal process and beyond, to ensure you are achieving your corporate objectives.

Remuneration policy management and participation schemes

In a transaction, the transition from the existing to a new remuneration structure is very important for management. The new remuneration structure must be in line with the goals of the company. This ensures proper focus and motivation from management. Whether you are the buyer, seller or executive, we are happy to guide you in managing executive compensation, before and after the transaction.

How we can help you with people in deals

Help you understand the costs and risks of the human capital involved in your acquisition.
Make transparent how human capital issues could impact the price of your deal.
Help you to create an engaged and productive workforce through the distractions of the transaction.

PwC’s People in Deals specialists work with clients globally on these questions. We do this for a full range of transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures, business restructuring and capital events such as an IPO. We drive value for our clients across the entire transaction cycle:

Transaction cycle

HR due diligence services
HR pre-close services
HR post close services
Executive reward support

HR due diligence services

We help you identify HR issues that affect the value of the transaction. We establish and understand critical HR and workforce issues early in the transaction and identify their relevance. We focus on the Quality of Earnings (Income Statement) and Quality of Assets (Balance Sheet) adjustments which impact the financial proposition underlying the transaction and ensure appropriate protections are built into transaction documentation. We can also provide early insight into culture, workforce and other challenges that may pose a threat to realizing value from the transaction.

HR pre-close services

We make sure you have the right people on the job and they are focused on the right things. We work to identify the key strategic HR decisions that are required based on the nature of the transaction.This includes leveraging HR due diligence to create a comprehensive project plan, that we will manage and execute for each HR functional area and for cross-functional HR activities. We help you to define your leadership team and organisation structure and assess cultural and change impact. We tie financial implications back to the investment model developed during the due diligence and manage the budget.

HR post close services

We focus on organisational values to reflect your purpose, mission, and vision. We work to deliver a targeted HR solution to ensure a smooth Day One and achieve transaction goals. We support you across the harmonised HR strategy and organisational structure, HR technology, processes and infrastructure, policy, design/harmonisation, workforce onboarding, culture-led transformation, stakeholder engagement, and communications workstreams.

Executive reward support

For the purchasing party, we map out the risks of the current remuneration systems and participation schemes for executives. We advise on the financial implications and possibilities for management retention and motivation. We support management in comparing the proposals for remuneration systems of potential buyers. We look at the financial, fiscal and legal consequences of the settlement of the current and possibly new proposed remuneration system and participation schemes. Whether you are the buyer, seller or executive, we will be happy to guide you in managing the remuneration of executives during a transaction. But also after the transaction we can support the new company with the implementation and communication of the new remuneration policy.