M&A Awards 2026: Anne van Gerwen (Best Young M&A Lawyer 2026)

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What are the specialties of this talent? 
Anne is a Corporate M&A lawyer at 9Corporate, where she advises on a wide range of national and international acquisitions, disposals and (re)investments for strategic buyers, entrepreneurs, private equity investors and management teams. She graduated from Erasmus University Rotterdam in February 2021 with a master's degree in Corporate Law and started her career as an M&A lawyer at HVG Law that same year. In November 2023, she joined 9Corporate. In the few years since, she has worked on an impressive list of transactions across sectors as diverse as shipbuilding, IT, e-fulfilment, healthcare, logistics, insurance, travel and industrial technology. A selection of recent transactions: 

- advised Gabe Newell (owner of Steam and Valve) on the acquisition of the shipbuilder Oceanco, electrical engineering firm Alewijnse, and manufacturer of marine doors and hatches Winel; 

- advised Odin Groep, an independent IT service provider specializing in IT solutions, cloud hosting, security, managed services, and consulting, and majority shareholder Seven2 on various acquisitions, including NEXXT and Cloudwise B.V., a leading IT specialist in the education sector; 

- advised the Netherlands-based Waterproof Expeditions, a specialist in polar and expedition travel, on its sale to Unlimited Travel Group, Sweden’s largest publicly traded travel and events group; 

- advised Fulfilment Solutions B.V. on the acquisition of De Pakkettenfabriek B.V., an e-fulfilment specialist; 

- advised Eurofins Clinical Diagnostics Nederland on several acquisitions (e.g. the acquisition of the clinical chemistry and haematology laboratories and the medical microbiology and infection prevention laboratories of Stichting Gelre Ziekenhuizen and Stichting PAMM); 

- advised the Samskip Group on the sale of its coldstore business to Lineage Logistics; 

- advised Quadrum Capital on its investment in SealteQ Group, a specialist in protecting, reinforcing, and maintaining concrete and steel structures; 

- advised SAA Verzekeringen on its sale to Söderberg & Partners; 

- advised Assurantiekantoor Vermeij on its sale to Yellow Hive; 

- advised Verwater Group on its sale to First Dutch and Standard Investment; 

- advised the management of CED Group on the terms of their management participation in connection with the sale of all shares in CED Group by BlackFin Capital Partners to Rivean Capital; and 

- advised the management of Sonic Group on their reinvestment and management participation in connection with the sale of Sonic Group by Torqx Capital Partners to Egeria, and the management of CED Group on their management participation in connection with the sale by BlackFin Capital Partners to Rivean Capital. 

How does the talent distinguish itself from its peers? 
Only a few years into practice, Anne already has a track record that many lawyers build over a decade: buy-side and sell-side work for strategic buyers, entrepreneurs and private equity, as well as management participation and reinvestment arrangements. Her experience ranges from complex healthcare carve-outs to international transactions for high-profile clients. She takes real ownership of her files, from due diligence and drafting through to negotiation and closing, and partners trust her with responsibilities well beyond her years. What truly sets Anne apart, however, is that she combines this legal excellence with genuine initiative. She did not wait to be asked to make a difference in the M&A community; she created the platform to do it herself by founding WOM&AN TALKS, an annual event for (young) women working in M&A. 

What impact does the talent have within the organization? 
Anne is a valued and trusted member of the 9Corporate M&A team and works on a broad and demanding range of transactions. She is also the go-to person for student interns and junior lawyers. She takes the time to walk them through transaction documents, explain the reasoning behind a negotiation position and give practical feedback on their drafts, so they quickly build confidence on live deals. She actively shares what she learns with the wider team, for example by presenting market developments and lessons learned from recent deals at internal knowledge sessions. Beyond the work itself, Anne helps build a close, collaborative team culture. She is a positive, approachable presence in the office, especially during intense signing and closing periods, and she is often the one who brings colleagues together outside of work. In short, she makes the people around her better. 

What impact does the talent have outside the organization? 
Last year, Anne founded WOM&AN TALKS, an event for (young) women working in M&A. The first edition was a great success, and Anne is now organizing the second edition, which will take place on 12 November. The program centers on a panel discussion of about 60 minutes in three blocks, each addressing a topic that matters to today's M&A practice: 

- AI at the deal table: the new generation prompts, the old generation negotiates. Who is the better dealmaker? 

- Relationships in a digital deal world: what one generation loses, does the other gain? 

- ESG in M&A: a dealbreaker for some, greenwashing for others? 

With WOM&AN TALKS, Anne has given women in M&A a platform to meet, share experiences and discuss the future of the profession across generations. The event contributes to a more diverse and inclusive M&A market, connects young talent with experienced practitioners, and strengthens 9Corporate's visibility and network in the market. That she built this alongside a demanding transaction practice says a great deal about her drive and leadership. 

Anne’s commitment to making a difference also extends to the social sector. Alongside her transaction practice, she provides legal support to social initiatives. For example, together with colleagues at 9Corporate, she advised on the incorporation of UNFILTERED, a business which sells a natural soft drink, and helped build a solid legal foundation for the organization behind it. 100% of UNFILTERED’s profits are donated to the charity YETS Foundation, a charity in Schiedam and Vlaardingen that offers young people in vulnerable neighborhoods a second home. 

To what extent does the talent make a difference when working with clients? 
Anne advises a diverse group of clients, including entrepreneurs, private equity investors, management teams and international corporates such as Oceanco. Clients come back to her: she has advised Odin Groep on several acquisitions and Oceanco on more than one matter. Clients value Anne for being highly responsive, practical and commercially minded. She translates complex legal issues into clear, workable advice, keeps the bigger picture of the deal in view and focuses on solutions rather than obstacles. For entrepreneurs and management teams, for whom a transaction is often a once-in-a-lifetime event, she is a calm and reliable guide who explains each step and makes sure their interests are protected. 

Why does the talent deserves this nomination? 
Anne combines strong transactional experience with the drive and vision to shape the M&A community around her. In just a few years, she has advised on a wide range of complex, high-profile transactions, earned the trust of returning clients and become a mentor to the next generation of lawyers at our firm. At the same time, she founded WOM&AN TALKS and is building it into an event that connects and empowers (young) women in M&A. She is exactly the kind of young lawyer who moves the profession forward, and we are proud to nominate her as Best Young M&A Lawyer. 

Any references or recommendations from clients or (colleagues)? 
“Anne combines sharp legal skills with a refreshingly pragmatic approach. Rather than getting lost in theoretical debates or legal jargon, she explains things in plain language and always focuses on the question that matters most: how do we get this deal done? She thinks along with us as a true partner, and her consistently positive attitude makes even the most intense transaction phases a pleasure. Anne is exactly the kind of lawyer you want at the table” – Robert Keizer, M&A Director Odin Groep 

“Anne combines strong legal expertise with a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach and a genuine understanding of the business. We are active in logistics, transportation and fulfilment, not daily involved with legal matters. Anne has been able to explain and translate legal terms in ways that we understand what’s being said or written, while keeping sight on the details. Which helps to get deals done. It’s very pleasant to interact with Anne. Her professionalism, dedication and ability to make complex matters understandable make her a truly valuable partner in any transaction.” - Steven Kersbergen, Logistics Director CTS Group 

"Anne's enthusiasm and drive are evident in everything she does. She approaches every transaction with genuine energy, takes ownership from day one and never stops until the deal is done, and done well. Clients feel that. Clients trust her judgment, value her responsiveness and know she has their interests at heart. Anne is not just a great lawyer in the making; she already is one" – Jeanine Evertse, Partner 9Corporate 

"Anne makes the people around her better. She is the first person our interns and junior lawyers turn to, and she always takes the time to explain not just what we do, but why. Her energy and positivity, especially during the most intense signing and closing periods, make her an invaluable member of our team and a future leader of our practice" – Daphne van Boxtel, Partner 9Corporate 

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