Overview

Deals move fast. The people implications rarely do.

Whether you're separating a business, acquiring one or standing up HR for a newly formed entity, the operational and human realities of M&A are often the deciding factor between a smooth transition and a costly one. Yet the people side of the deal is still too often treated as a downstream task — something to manage after the financial and legal mechanics are resolved.

We believe it should be the first conversation, not the last.

We're excited to invite you to Divestitures in a box: The people side of the deal, a new webinar series from WTW's global Human Capital practice. Across four sessions, WTW practitioners and guest speakers will explore the HR challenges that determine whether M&A transactions deliver their intended value: from Day 1 operational readiness and executive compensation through change management, employee experience and total rewards integration.

Each session is designed to deliver practical, insight-led perspectives you can apply directly to your organization — whether you're preparing for an upcoming transaction, supporting one in progress or building your organization's readiness for future deals.

The series will cover:

  • How leading organizations achieve faster HR Day 1 readiness and smoother employee transitions
  • The executive compensation and retention strategies that protect leadership continuity through a deal
  • How to manage change, communications and employee experience during periods of significant uncertainty
  • Building a total rewards and benefits framework that works from Day 1 of the new entity

Event topics and details

Part 1: Divestitures done differently: Why the people side makes or breaks value

Most divestitures underperform despite strong deal rationale —  join our panel to find out why the people side is almost always the deciding factor.
Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. GMT
Learn more and register today

Part 2: Executive compensation and leadership incentives: Retaining what matters most through the deal

When key executives are uncertain about their future, deals suffer — join us to learn the retention and incentive strategies that keep leadership continuity intact through a transaction.
Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. GMT
Learn more and register today

Part 3: Change, culture and communications: Keeping people engaged when everything is uncertain

The way you communicate during a deal determines how quickly your people re-engage — join us for a practical, experience-led look at what actually works under deal timelines.
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. GMT
Learn more and register today

Part 4: Total rewards and benefits integration: Building a framework that works from Day 1

Getting total rewards right from Day 1 isn't just a compliance requirement — it's the clearest signal to employees that the new entity values its people.
Date: Thursday, January 14, 2027
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. GMT
Learn more and register today

Additional information

Format: Each session will run for approximately 60 minutes — 45 minutes of expert discussion, followed by a 10-minute live Q&A and a 5-minute close. Sessions are live and recorded; registered attendees will receive on-demand access following each event.

Who should attend: HR leaders, total rewards professionals, M&A advisors, finance and operations leaders and anyone responsible for people outcomes during transactions.

Presented by WTW's M&A HR team, the practitioners behind Divestitures in a Box (DIAB), WTW's turnkey, globally scalable HR solution for buyers, sellers and private equity clients.

If you have questions, please contact Sabrina Ruthnum.