Christian Schulz

Strategic M&A Advisor | Board & Growth Focus | Former EMEIA Head of Corporate Development and Head of M&A (Germany, Switzerland and Austria) at EY | 100+ closed M&A Transactions | CFO Experience | Executive PhD Candidate

Germany

About

With nearly 30 years of experience in M&A advisory, M&A execution and value creation, I have a proven track record of delivering successful outcomes both in-house as well as for clients, managing complex transactions, and building trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders. A key focus is working on a strategic acquisition agenda to grow businesses successfully through acquisitions - most recently as EMEIA Head of Corporate Development at EY, where I led EY's corporate development across EMEIA for all service lines, overseeing identification, evaluation and execution of strategic M&A opportunities My experience spans more than 100 successfully closed M&A transactions (many of them cross-border) - from strategic acquisitions and divestitures to joint-ventures, mergers and integrations. I have built and scaled high-performing teams, navigated complex stakeholder environments, and advised on transactions with a clear understanding of both, commercial and operational aspects. In addition, I have relevant CFO experience, having served as the European CFO for a global Japanese firm. I am passionate about creating value through M&A by using my experience to make a meaningful contribution to growth oriented organizations.

Experience

  • EY (13 yrs 5 mos)
    • EMEIA Corporate Development Officer
      Jul 2022 - Jun 2025 · 3 yrs

      As the EMEIA Corporate Development Officer @ EY, I led the execution of strategic mergers and acquisitions across Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa, with the aim of enhancing EY's market position and capabilities in key sectors and services. During this time, a significant number of acquisitions was completed across different service lines and geographies. With nearly 30 years of experience in M&A advisory and execution, I have a proven track record of delivering successful outcomes for EY and its clients, managing complex transactions, and building trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders. I am passionate about creating value through M&A and helping companies to grow their business successfully through acquisitions.

    • Global Chief Development Officer Strategy and Transactions
      Nov 2020 - Jul 2022 · 1 yr 9 mos

    • Partner - Head of Mergers & Acquisitions GSA
      Feb 2012 - Jul 2022 · 10 yrs 6 mos

  • Managing Director / Chief Financial Officer at Fast Retailing
    Apr 2006 - Dec 2011 · 5 yrs 9 mos

    Various simultaneous positions, e.g.: CFO Link Theory Holdings Europe, Helmut Lang Europe, Theory Europe, Uniqlo Deutschland

  • Director at M.M.Warburg & CO
    2003 - 2006 · 3 yrs

    Mergers and Acquisitions

  • Senior Associate at Morgan Stanley
    2001 - 2003 · 2 yrs

    Mergers and Acquisitions / IBD

  • Head of Shareholder Relations at Thomas Cook
    1999 - 2001 · 2 yrs

    Secondment from Preussag AG