Competition

Kreab is very well positioned to support clients in antitrust investigations, merger clearance and state aid cases. We are well respected in the Commission and we operate as a constructive intermediary and advocate on behalf of our clients.

Our team of consultants include high ranking former competition officials from national authorities and European institutions including the Directorate General for Competition, EFTA and the National Competition Authorities. This enables us to apply effective solutions during complex antitrust proceedings, merger clearance and state aid decisions. We also manage communication via media and social media when it is useful to build awareness with a wider audience.

To view our expertise you can download our brochure here

We provide advice in the following areas:

State Aid

We actively support client interests in state aid cases, ensuring their messages are taken into account. This can be especially challenging because parties to state aid cases are invariably the EU and its member states. The arguments of economic stakeholders in these cases need to be skillfully inserted into the decision-making process, which is something that Kreab's team of former competition regulators and economists has a strong track record in doing.

Anti-trust

Whether it is a cartel or an abuse of dominance case, alongside legal advisors, we navigate companies through complex anti-trust investigations. We advise clients on how to manage reputational risks, communicate the right messages and effectively engage with anti-trust enforcers at EU and member states level.

Merger Clearance

Already during the pre-notification period, and in Phases I and II of investigations, we advise companies on strategies for achieving their objectives. Analysing the political forces influencing each proposed deal, we assist our clients in developing and communicating effective messages to stakeholders and relevant actors in the European institutions.

Investor Activism Campaigns

In the context of M&As and assessment of investment value, an interesting development is the growth of shareholder activism. With deep knowledge of corporate governance issues, and using relevant political and media channels, we help investors, boards and management to assert their interests with regard to activism campaigns.

Strategic counselling

By gathering upstream intelligence, we provide our clients with a clear picture of how policy-makers approach each individual case or specific sector, both at national and EU level. Our expertise puts us in a unique position to understand and balance the different interests that may be involved in each case, assess the impact of new regulatory and legislative developments and advise companies/associations on how to comply with the enforcers’ requirements.