Former EY partner to lead pioneering M&A Research Centre

Michel Driessen, a former Senior Partner in the Strategy and Transactions Group at EY UKI, will replace Professor Scott Moeller as Director of Bayes Business School’s pioneering M&A Research Centre (MARC).

He will take up the position in January, one year after leaving EY. Mr Driessen also founded and led the consultancy giant’s Operational Transaction Services practice. It provided operational and IT transaction advice for corporate and private equity companies.

The incoming Director will bring a wealth of transaction experience, having worked on numerous transactions for Unilever and Natura over the past decade and in specifically led and advised firms on synergy assessment during several high-profile takeover deals – including Kraft’s acquisition of Cadbury and the Dell acquisition of EMC. He also led the synergy assessment of the transaction between GSK and Novartis.

During that period Mr Driessen became immersed in MARC’s work, serving on its advisory board since 2010 and later becoming its Vice Chairman, a role he will continue to fill. He has particular expertise around operational due diligence, synergy assessment, integration and carve-outs/restructuring for both corporate and private equity clients.

Mr Driessen said: “Since joining the MARC advisory board as EY’s representative 15 years ago, my involvement has deepened beyond the research focus to include delivering guest lectures to post-graduate students and teaching a popular MBA module on sustainability. I’m enthused by MARC’s educational and research approach that balances theory and practice. That practical approach at the heart of MARC is critical and demonstrates that City St George’s, University of London really is the university of the professions.”

When Professor Moeller founded the centre in 2008 after a long career in investment banking, it was the first centre at any major business school to focus on the research and practice of mergers and acquisitions.  This followed a globe-trotting career working for Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank. He will continue his teaching at Bayes and work closely with Mr Driessen on the transition, as well as contributing to MARC’s research and sitting on the MARC advisory board.

Bayes Dean Professor Andre Spicer lauded the research centre’s achievements and impact under Professor Moeller’s leadership – and welcomed Mr Driessen to his new, enhanced role.

He said: “Almost two decades ago, Scott showed the foresight, tenacity and commitment to establish the world’s first business school-based research centre focussed on the mergers and acquisitions market. He has taught literally thousands of students, many of whom have then gone on to become senior M&A sector professionals, investors, regulators and policymakers. Both our academic colleagues and so many of our students are grateful to him for that work and pleased he will continue his academic role here at Bayes.”

Passing on the baton

Professor Moeller said: “Michel has been a stalwart supporter of the research centre since its early days. As well as his engagement and energy, he brings exceptional insights gained from decades advising on some of the most important M&A deals. I cannot think of a better person to take up custodianship of the centre.”

Reflecting on the last 17 years, he continued: “I’m tremendously proud that the centre is such a respected part of the M&A landscape. We host the world's largest dedicated M&A academic conference – confirmation of our enduring global status. That reflects the hard work of my current and former colleagues. The greatest testament to the enduring value of our research is also the quality of our sponsors, whose expertise is available to us through their input on our advisory board.”

Mr Driessen will acquire a new title when he takes up the one day a week role, becoming a Professor in the Practice of Finance.

He said: “In my lectures, I really try to encourage a dialogue through asking questions and encouraging critical thinking. Often there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ – it’s about using your brain. Encouraging curiosity, knowledge and practice, which I know is core to Bayes, is central to my approach as well. The MARC research also reflects this very practical nature and has encouraged over the years a deeper connection between academics and deal practitioners.”

The centre’s current senior sponsors are KPMG, BP and SS&C Intralinks, together with WTW and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Since 2010 Mr Driessen has also been an Honorary Senior Fellow at Bayes, one of the roles that the School confers on high achievers from across the business world and related sectors. Their knowledge, expertise and experience enrich the education of students at Bayes.

He will have a busy start to 2026, with the publication of his third business book in February. He and his co-author address the relationship between financial value and sustainability in transactions.

Away from the office he chairs the deal advisory firm Queen’s Tower Advisory and, as an art enthusiast, is proud to serve as a trustee of Turner Contemporary in Margate.