Sector Practices
M&A and Corporate Finance Executive Search in Ireland
Deal leaders for Irish advisory firms, banks, corporates and private equity backed businesses
Phoenix Search runs retained executive search for the people who originate, execute and integrate deals in Ireland. We hire Partners, Directors and Heads of Corporate Finance for Irish advisory firms and banks, Heads of Corporate Development and M&A for corporates and private equity backed groups, and the leaders who carry a business through integration after the deal closes.
Irish dealmaking is concentrated in the mid-market and driven by overseas buyers. According to the William Fry M&A Review H1 2026, published with Mergermarket:
- EUR 33.2bn in Irish deal value in H1 2026, up from EUR 11.4bn a year earlier, across 237 announced deals.
- 82% of H1 activity was in mid-market deals of EUR 5m to EUR 250m.
- Around 61% of Irish deals by volume were inbound, with overseas buyers accounting for practically all deal value.
- 41 private equity deals involving Irish companies, down 36% on the first half of 2025.
For advisers, that means competing for mid-market mandates with overseas acquirers and sponsors on the other side of the table. For acquirers, it means integrating Irish businesses under new ownership. Both depend on a small group of experienced deal leaders, and most of them are already in post.
How we run an M&A search
We map deal experience, not titles. We map who has originated and led transactions by sector, deal size and buyer type, so we know which candidates have done the deals you need and who is open to a move.
We test origination. For advisory roles, client relationships and a credible pipeline matter as much as execution. We assess how a candidate’s relationships will travel before they reach your shortlist.
We hire for what happens after completion. Integration leaders, finance directors and operating executives decide whether an acquisition delivers. We search for them early, so the plan has owners on day one.
We manage the move. Deferred compensation, partnership terms, notice periods and restrictive covenants are planned from the start, so an accepted offer becomes a realistic start date.
M&A roles we search for in Ireland
- Partners, Directors and Heads of Corporate Finance at Irish advisory firms and banks
- M&A, debt advisory and transaction services leaders
- Heads of Corporate Development and M&A for Irish and international corporates
- Corporate development and buy and build leaders for private equity backed platforms
- Integration directors, CFOs and COOs for businesses after an acquisition
- Financial sponsors coverage and private equity relationship leaders
- Senior advisers and non-executive directors with deal experience
See also our investment banking, private equity in Ireland and CFO executive search pages, and value creation through leadership.
Frequently asked questions
Do you work with Irish corporate finance boutiques?
Yes, as well as banks, larger advisory firms and corporates. Many of our searches are for firms adding a sector, a product or sponsor coverage to their Irish deal team.
Can you hire a Head of Corporate Development or M&A?
Yes. We search for corporate development and M&A leaders for Irish and international corporates and for private equity backed groups running buy and build strategies.
Do you recruit for post-deal integration?
Yes. Integration directors, finance leaders and operating executives often decide whether a deal delivers, and we search for them early so the integration plan has owners from completion.
How long does a senior M&A search take?
Allow 12 to 16 weeks to an accepted offer. Senior notice periods and garden leave are often three to six months, so plan start dates early.
Further reading
- Value Creation Through Leadership
- The Flourishing Landscape of Ireland’s Private Equity Market in 2025
- What PE Sponsors Need From a Portfolio CFO in 2026
Source for deal figures: William Fry M&A Review H1 2026, July 2026.
