Brown Robert

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

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

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News & Media featuring Robert Brown

Sky News | Will 2024 Bring Big Mergers and Acquisitions?

Originally aired on Sky News on February 21, 2024.

Lincoln International Announces Promotions to Drive Ongoing Organizational & Client Success

Lincoln International, a global investment banking advisory firm, today announced the appointment of several firm leaders into executive management and client advisory roles. The firm has promoted Mary Weber to… Read More

Bloomberg TV | Lincoln International CEO Gives 2024 Outlook

Originally posted by Bloomberg on December 27, 2023. Rob Brown, CEO of Lincoln International, discusses his 2024 mergers and acquisitions market predictions, including an increasing focus from Western companies on… Read More

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

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Meet our Senior Team in Global Leadership

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