In this episode of The Professional Services Pursuit, Brent is joined once again by Ramone Param, Managing Director at Kennedy M&A, to kick off a new series focused on mergers and acquisitions in professional services. Together, they reflect on the 2025 M&A landscape and look ahead to what 2026 holds for consulting firms navigating economic uncertainty, AI-driven disruption, and shifting buyer expectations. Ramone shares firsthand insights from the deal market, offering a clear view of where momentum is building, what buyers are prioritizing, and how firms can position themselves for stronger valuations in the year ahead.

Key topics covered in this episode:

• What changed in 2025—and why optimism is returning in 2026
• Where buyer demand is strongest
• The shift from buying headcount to acquiring AI-enabled consultants, proprietary data, and differentiated intellectual property
• New value drivers in consulting valuations
• Ramone’s outlook on a potential transformational, cross-functional deal that could redefine the professional services landscape

You can find Ramone’s newsletter by visiting: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramoneparam/

Learn more about Kennedy M&A here: https://www.k2consultingresearch.com/ma-advisory

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