06
May
The German economic outlook and its impact on M&A
At a pivotal moment in German politics with a new government in place, the question is how political and economic upheaval will transform the M&A environment. While Germany's key industries face mounting pressures and deal completion rates have slowed, emerging opportunities in supply chain optimisation and strategic synergies are fostering cautious optimism among dealmakers. The interview will cover:
- Will the incoming government's fiscal and monetary policies address the deep-rooted economic challenges?
- Can reforms to Germany's industrial framework reshape cross-border transactions?
- Will digital transformation and green energy drive deal flow?
- What impact will changes to the regulatory landscape have on dealmaker confidence?
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SpeakersLucinda Guthrie Executive Editor Mergermarket
Dirk Schumacher Chief Economist KfW
Stephan Förschle Partner, Co-Head of Business Services Triton Partners
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Dr Dirk Schumacher has been appointed as the new Chief Economist of KfW Group. A doctor of economics, he will assume the role on 1 April 2025.
“Having worked for a wide range of different banks as well as the European Central Bank, Dr Schumacher will bring many years of broad experience of economic analysis”, said Stefan Wintels, Chief Executive Officer of KfW. “His main focus is on the German and European economy. We very much look forward to his expertise.”
Schumacher will become the head of the Economics Department at KfW (KfW Research) and assume the role of Chief Economist.
Schumacher began his career at the Economics Department of Commerzbank in 1997. In 1999 he took on a position at the US investment bank Goldman Sachs. The focus of his work there was on macro research. In 2010 he was appointed Managing Director and was responsible for the economic analysis of Germany.
In 2017 he joined the European Central Bank as Principal Economist. Since January 2018 he has been the Head of the European Macro Research Team at the French investment bank Natixis.
At KfW, Dr Dirk Schumacher will succeed Dr Fritzi Köhler-Geib, who left the bank in November 2024.
Stephan joined Triton in 2006 from Roland Berger Strategy Consultants in Berlin, where he was a project manager in the restructuring and corporate finance practice. Stephan has a degree in Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland (lic. oec. HSG). He has also studied at the London School of Economics and Columbia Business School in New York