Key Takeaways
- • Financier Worldwide's 2026 Power Players M&A Distinguished Advisers feature leading deal advisers sharing views on the 2025 M&A market, which was shaped by stronger markets, improved financing conditions and expectations around artificial intelligence.
- • According to Bain, technology M&A activity rose 77 percent in 2025, supported by Alphabet's $32bn purchase of Wiz and Palo Alto Networks' $25bn acquisition of CyberArk.
- • Almost half of strategic technology deal value for transactions above $500m came from AI-native companies or deals citing AI-related benefits.
- • Private equity firms are expected to deploy record levels of dry powder as interest rates ease and regulatory clarity improves.
Summary
Financier Worldwide's 2026 Power Players list for mergers and acquisitions profiles distinguished advisers who discuss global deal trends, AI-driven transactions and strategy. The publication's introduction notes that 2025 recorded significant M&A activity despite considerable economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Drivers included stronger markets, improved financing conditions and a shifting strategic landscape shaped by expectations for artificial intelligence and other technological developments.
AI was a major driver of deal activity in 2025 and accounted for a substantial share of transactions. According to Bain, technology M&A activity increased by 77 percent in 2025. The growth was supported by large AI-related transactions, including Alphabet's $32bn purchase of Wiz and Palo Alto Networks' $25bn acquisition of CyberArk. Bain also found that almost half of strategic technology deal value for transactions exceeding $500m came from AI-native companies or from deals referencing AI-related benefits.
The outlook for merger activity is described as positive. Private equity firms are expected to deploy record levels of dry powder, and corporates are likely to pursue large-scale transformation strategies as interest rates ease and regulatory clarity improves.
The list includes advisers from several firms. Ben Perry was named one of 10 M&A Distinguished Advisers, and Milbank LLP Global Corporate partner Lisa O'Neill was named a distinguished adviser. Loyens & Loeff banking and finance partner Martijn Schoonewille was also featured. The 2026 Power Players list spans other practice areas, including financial services regulation, investment funds, debt capital markets and responsible business.
AI was a major driver of deal activity in 2025 and accounted for a substantial share of transactions. According to Bain, technology M&A activity increased by 77 percent in 2025. The growth was supported by large AI-related transactions, including Alphabet's $32bn purchase of Wiz and Palo Alto Networks' $25bn acquisition of CyberArk. Bain also found that almost half of strategic technology deal value for transactions exceeding $500m came from AI-native companies or from deals referencing AI-related benefits.
The outlook for merger activity is described as positive. Private equity firms are expected to deploy record levels of dry powder, and corporates are likely to pursue large-scale transformation strategies as interest rates ease and regulatory clarity improves.
The list includes advisers from several firms. Ben Perry was named one of 10 M&A Distinguished Advisers, and Milbank LLP Global Corporate partner Lisa O'Neill was named a distinguished adviser. Loyens & Loeff banking and finance partner Martijn Schoonewille was also featured. The 2026 Power Players list spans other practice areas, including financial services regulation, investment funds, debt capital markets and responsible business.
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