Forum Speaker

As a private equity consultant, Sumit Malhotra has been on the inside of multiple mergers, acquisitions, and carve-outs. In a career spanning more than 20 years, one specialty he has cultivated is maximizing the value of portfolio companies through technology and digital.

“Ultimately, most businesses are or will be heavily enabled by technology, data, and software,” he says. “That won’t change. With my background, I can translate complex technology requirements and issues into simple commercial language for my clients, and help them make decisions that will deliver the best outcome in a deal.”

Sumit’s client work focuses on pre-deal due diligence, large-scale technology-driven transformations, and performance improvement programs, including cost optimization and synergy assessments. Significant engagements include leading a global IT carve-out for a €45 billion automotive client; identifying more than $50 million in technology-related EBITDA improvements for a major SaaS business; and developing a value creation plan that identified more than €20 million in IT synergies during the pre-deal phase, then delivering these as part of the post-close integration program over a 12-month period.

“I like high-intensity, fast-paced environments, which is why I love what I do,” he says. “Being able to partner with management teams in complex situations and improve businesses in times of change, uncertainty, and transition is extremely rewarding.”

Sumit started his consulting career after completing a bachelor’s degree at the University of Maryland, College Park, and an MBA from Cass Business School in London. Before joining Kearney, he held roles at Deloitte, Accenture, EY, and Alvarez & Marsal. He has worked with clients around the world across a range of industries, including technology, media and telecoms, industrial goods, utilities, automotive, pharmaceuticals, software, fintech, and business services.

Having forged his own career path, Sumit now enjoys helping others discover and achieve their own aspirations, both at work and at home. As well as coaching junior team members to take their own next steps, as dad to an aspiring cricketer, he spends a lot of his free time on bowling duty, helping his son hone his batting skills.