Session #15 | No Playbook, No Mould: Fenna van Zanten on M&A, Ownership and the Power of Patience

What does successful M&A integration look like once the deal is signed and the real work with people begins? In this episode of Speciality Sessions, Natasha Klymczuk speaks with Fenna van Zanten, Global M&A Director at IMCD, business division leader and member of its Executive Committee. Fenna’s career has taken her from corporate law and advising on transactions to working inside an international chemical distribution business. She explains why every acquisition and integration is unique—and why treating the process as simply executing a playbook overlooks the people, cultures and emotions involved. They also discuss: Moving from adviser to operator What product management taught Fenna about how a distribution business really works Why employee concerns must be understood before integration begins Bringing different organisational cultures together Why ownership does not mean doing everything yourself Balancing high standards with patience Knowing when to push and when to pause The outlook for consolidation across chemical distribution Why there is no single mould for a successful M&A or business leader Fenna also reflects on one of the biggest things she has changed her mind about: pushing harder does not always produce a better outcome. Subscribe to Speciality Sessions for more open conversations with leaders from across the global chemicals and ingredients industries. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Dreaming big and refusing to be put in a box 01:44 Moving from law into chemicals and M&A 04:04 From adviser to operator 05:46 Why integration is not a playbook 06:34 The human impact of an acquisition 08:15 Bringing different cultures together 09:10 Moving into commercial product management 12:39 Learning patience and self-compassion 14:00 What ownership really means 15:31 Building a high-performing team 17:47 Knowing when to push and when to pause 20:19 Staying focused under pressure 22:07 The future of chemical distribution M&A 24:55 Seller expectations and dealmaking 26:09 Bringing a different perspective to M&A 27:01 “There is no mould” 28:02 Competition, resilience and winning 29:49 What Fenna has changed her mind about 31:14 Final thoughts