Christopher Stradling
Managing Director
Chicago Mergers & Acquisitions Consumer cstradling@lincolninternational.com +1 (312) 580-8325My passion is positioning high-quality businesses for maximum valuation. I thoroughly enjoy partnering with business owners to reach their goals through life-changing transactions.
As co-head of Lincoln’s consumer group, Chris leads the firm’s consumer product initiatives and advises companies on mergers and acquisitions. Through a hands-on style of processing deals, Chris develops close relationships with owners and management to learn the priorities of all stakeholders and position companies for maximum valuation.
Chris has deep knowledge of the key dynamics, such as ecommerce and direct-to-consumer marketing, that drive the consumer industry. He brings significant experience leading transactions in the active lifestyle, ecommerce, functional apparel, food and beverage, home furnishings and merchandizing sectors. Chris and his teams lead processes that yield outlier valuations through identifying and positioning his clients’ unique points of differentiation.
Chris brings practical life experience having spent his pre-college years deeply involved in running his family’s business, as well as post-educational stints working in operations and corporate development in a Fortune 500 company and auditing large companies at a major global accounting firm.
Chris holds a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science from Northern Arizona University.
Recent Transactions
Perspectives by Christopher Stradling
Auto Parts E-commerce Continuing to Hit on all Cylinders
Merger and acquisition activity within the auto aftermarket continues to showcase robust growth driven by strong industry fundamentals. The U.S. light vehicles in operation and miles driven continue to increase across an […]
Consumers in Control & the Role of Brands
Lincoln Managing Directors discuss the way consumers are in the driver’s seat as it relates to branded and non-branded food companies. Click the banner above to watch the video.
How Companies are Mastering the Internet Economy
Lincoln Managing Directors discuss the evolution of consumer behavior and what it means for the economy. Click the banner above to watch the video.
U.S.-China Tensions, Tariffs and Tightening Regulations
Tension and tariffs drives Chinese M&A activity to markets outside the U.S. Mounting tension between Washington, D.C. and Beijing are top of mind in the dealmaking climate. As tariffs continue to dominate […]
