
Compliance Perspectives Michael Savicki on Due Diligence During Mergers & Acquisitions [Podcast]
Dec 23, 2025
15:15
By Adam Turteltaub
Michael Savicki, Senior Vice President and Chief Risk & Compliance Officer at American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), best known as Amex GBT, knows the challenges and opportunities in merger’s and acquisitions. The company recently completed the acquisition of CWT, a global business travel and meetings solutions provider.
In this podcast he shares their playbook for effective due diligence, born out of their experience and the heightened regulatory requirements that they face. Among the insight he provides:
Integrate your efforts with the business unit’s and work cross-functionally
Partner with finance and the commercial team
Have a solution-oriented “yes and” mindset
Be sure the due diligence process focuses on all the risks: legal, regulatory, operational and reputational
Perhaps most importantly: think beyond the transaction. Look to what the acquired entity will need post-acquisition. Embrace the technology that will help get you where you want to be, including AI, which can help spot emerging risks sooner, while freeing your team up to do more strategic work.
