We are pleased to announce that Mark Iles, chief analyst at Omdia, will make his debut Pipeline appearance on 7 May 2026 on Hamilton Island, when he will unpack the next phase of mergers and acquisitions in the Australian ICT channel.
Mark has been analysing deals and valuations in the local ICT industry for years. His Australian IT Channel M&A Report, launched with techpartner.news in 2025, mapped out where the money was flowing and why.
His keynote at Pipeline 2026 will build on that research with fresh independent analysis of game-changing M&A trends for leaders making M&A decisions in the next two to three years.
Mark will provide clarity for partners actively pursuing M&A, fielding approaches, or just curious about their options.
His keynote will also provide valuable context for those planning to stay independent, and how consolidation around them will change competitive dynamics.
Private equity harvest
The moves of private equity owners in 2026 will have significant implications for the competitive landscape and the fortunes of M&A hungry partners.
Some private equity owners have moved into the harvest phase of their investment cycle in Australia, reshaping ownership through exits, secondary buyouts and renewed roll-up strategies.
Successive waves of ownership will also have an impact on strategy, culture and customer experience.
Investment in data, analytics, AI and cybersecurity will likely continue to be M&A drivers, and the impact of automation and wage pressures will also likely remain a factor in valuations.
"As companies look to take advantage of new technologies, notably AI, they need to transform their platforms and these projects are complicated and require deep skills and are in high demand," Mark told techpartner.news in October.
"This combination is driving strong demand for skills, and in turn, for those looking to capitalise quickly the decision to acquire rather than build out those skills and offerings.”
Pipeline 2026 will bring technology partners to Hamilton Island from 6-8 May to learn and network under the theme “Game Changers. Find out more and register your interest in attending Pipeline 2026 by visiting pipelineconference.com.au.
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