
Robert Brown
CEO | Managing Director | GP-Director
Chicago Mergers & Acquisitions rbrown@lincolninternational.com +1 (312) 580-8340My 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

Midterm Elections Are Imminent, But Investor Eyes Remain Trained on the Fed and Inflation
The term “uncertainty” has dominated headlines much of this year. Election season exacerbates that sense of uncertainty, leaving investors and company executives to weigh the different scenarios each outcome might… Read More

Even as Possible Recession Looms, Prospects for Private Markets Look Strong
It is no secret that public markets are facing notable volatility. But from where I sit in the trenches of private market dealmaking, the near-term prospects for private equity remain… Read More

Five Ways ESG Will Alter PE-Backed Dealmaking in the Next Five Years
Under the pressure of the global pandemic, the push from shareholder to stakeholder capitalism crystalized. Company scrutiny came not only from traditional institutional investors like insurers, pensions and endowments —… Read More

Will Private Equity Activity in 2022 be as Robust as 2021?
Private equity (PE) has proven to be both stable and even resilient, despite economic uncertainty, as illustrated during the 2008 global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. During both events,… Read More
News & Media featuring Robert Brown

University of Illinois Business Instructional Facility Atrium Named After Lincoln International
The atrium inside the Business Instructional Facility at the University of Illinois Gies College of Business has been named the Lincoln International Atrium. This naming was made possible by donations… Read More

Middle Market Musings Podcast
Originally posted by Middle Market Musings in October 2023. Chief Executive Officer Rob Brown offers a perspective on how private equity and the firm have developed over the course of… Read More

Lincoln International Acquires Mumbai-based Valuations Provider, Expanding Presence and Offering in India
Adds 25 professionals to Lincoln’s growing, global Valuations & Opinions Group Lincoln International, a global investment banking advisory firm, announced today the acquisition of EthiQuant Analytics Private Limited (EthiQuant), a… Read More

Crain’s Chicago Business’ Notable Leaders in Finance
Rob Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Lincoln, was recently recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as a notable leader in finance. This recognition is a true testament to Rob’s leadership and… Read More
Meet our Senior Team in Global Leadership

I enjoy leading clients and realizing their objectives, while structuring solutions to issues that are both intriguing and challenging.
Øyvind Bjordal
Managing Director | Head of Switzerland
Zurich
Building long-term relationships is key for me personally – I want to be the advisor of trust for my clients.
Dr. Michael Drill
Managing Director | Head of Germany
Frankfurt
I take an active role in every stage of the transaction process in order to achieve the goals of my clients.
Iván Marina
Managing Director | CEO Spain
MadridFirm details on FINRA’s BrokerCheck