Headshot of Robert Brown

Robert Brown

CEO | Managing Director | GP-Director
Chicago Mergers & Acquisitions +1 (312) 580-8340
My goal is to inspire and motivate our people to make a true impact with their clients, their colleagues and their communities.

As Lincoln’s Chief Executive Officer and a key driver of the firm’s growth from its beginnings, Rob has been instrumental in building its global footprint and a highly desirable culture that prioritizes attracting, retaining and engaging top talent at all levels. As a connected leader within the firm, Rob works closely with Lincoln’s investment banking professionals to help them achieve success. He continues to focus on building long-term relationships with clients and prospects, achieving optimal results through his thoughtful, interpersonal and collaborative approach.

Rob has nearly 30 years of experience advising leading private equity groups, privately owned businesses and large public companies on divestitures, acquisitions and other strategic initiatives. Rob helped start Lincoln’s industrials and consumer practices and led the firm’s business services practice for more than a decade. Accordingly, Rob has a deep understanding of how to best position companies for sale, drive competitive processes and negotiate to successful closings.

As a recognized advisor and thought leader in the investment banking industry, Rob is a frequent guest on WBBM’s Noon Business Hour in Chicago and a speaker and author on mergers and acquisitions-related topics. Rob sits on the board of UNICEF USA and the Dean’s Business Council for the Gies School of Business at the University of Illinois. He is also President of the Board of Regents at Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago.

Prior to Lincoln, Rob worked at Price Waterhouse. His diverse experiences include management positions in Price Waterhouse’s investment banking subsidiary and the Transaction Services group.

Rob earned a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois. Rob is a certified public accountant (inactive).

Perspectives featuring Robert Brown

News & Media featuring Robert Brown

Bloomberg TV | Deal Surge Nears $4 Trillion

Originally aired on Bloomberg on November 10, 2025 Rob Brown, CEO of Lincoln International, recently spoke with Bloomberg TV to discuss the recent surge in dealmaking. After a shaky start… Read More

Financial News London | Lincoln International CEO Still Open to M&A as It Digests Biggest Acquisition Yet

Originally published by Financial News on September 29, 2024. Following Lincoln International’s announcement of the strategic acquisition of premier advisory firm MarshBerry, Financial News London highlighted Lincoln’s continued openness to… Read More

Yahoo Finance | Summer M&A Hits Highest Point Since 2021

Originally posted by Yahoo Finance on August 29, 2025. This summer, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity surged to its highest level since 2021. Rob Brown, CEO of Lincoln International, recently… Read More

Bloomberg TV | Maturity Wall Coming Up Next Year

Originally posted by Bloomberg on July 31, 2025. Rob Brown, CEO of Lincoln International, recently spoke with Bloomberg TV to discuss the upcoming maturity wall being tracked by Lincoln’s proprietary… Read More

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