Francis Tan

About Francis Tan

Experience & Skills:Senior C-Suite strategy and corporate development executive who has announced $65 billion+ of M&A transactions over multiple decades across technology, life sciences, diagnostics, medical devices, industrial, and energy sectors. Serving on executive management teams at industry leaders in healthcare, technology, and diversified industrials since 2017. Currently leading independent strategic development advisory services for Hayward Brook Partners, LLC focused on internal preparation for and management of acquisitions, divestitures, partnerships, licensing, and planning.Previously led strategy development, deal sourcing, and execution across W.L. Gore & Associates’ broad materials sciences portfolio representing $5 billion in revenue in medical technology, fabric laminates, cables, filtration, sealants, membranes, venting, protective gear, and fibers comprised of GORE-TEX® and related technologies for industries worldwide.While at MKS Instruments, notable transactions included the $6 billion cross-border acquisition of Atotech (sourced and led), an unsolicited $6 billion bid for Coherent in a highly contested, three-way process (architect of hostile approach and the strategic timing of offer withdrawal), and the $320 million cross-border purchase of Photon Control.Earlier leadership roles at Thermo Fisher Scientific on completed transformational deals included the $7 billion acquisition of Patheon N.V,$4 billion acquisition of FEI Company,$16 billion acquisition of Life Technologies,$1 billion divestiture of cell culture, gene modulation, and magnetic beads businesses to GE, and $925 million acquisition of One Lambda, increasing TMO’s revenues by 2x and expanding market cap by 4x. Previous experience included the $7 billion cross-border sale and integration of Millipore into Merck KGaA. Depth and breadth of experience includes Strategy & Corporate Development, Investment Banking / M&A, Private Equity / Venture Capital, Marketing / Operations, Anti-Trust, Carve-Outs, and Post-Merger Integration. Cross-functional leadership continuously demonstrated in organizationally complex environments developing and executing internal and external strategic growth initiatives. Extensive support of acquisition-related anti-trust filing processes in jurisdictions worldwide including preparation and execution of regulatory-mandated triple carve-out divestiture.Highly focused on talent development and “paying it forward” throughout my career and have enjoyed seeing numerous mentees achieve phenomenal career and personal outcomes.

Experience

1. Senior Advisor, Corporate Development

   Research Instruments Corporation

   Nov 2025 — Present · Providence, RI, US

   Advising Management and Board on corporate partnering and capital raising initiatives.

Education

• Amherst College

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Classics

• Yale School of Management

  Master of Business Administration - MBA, Strategy & Finance

Skills

• Global Business Development
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Biopharmaceuticals
• M&a Due Diligence
• Strategic Advisory
• Biotechnology
• Corporate Development
• Strategic Planning
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Strategy Development
• Acquisition Integration
• Business Strategy
• Divestitures
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Filtration
• Lifesciences
• Strategy
• Company Acquisitions
• Strategic Partnerships
• Finance
• Business Development
• International Acquisitions
• Investment Banking
• Aseptic Processing
• Strategic Leadership
• Strategic Negotiations
• Private Equity
• Due Diligence
• Financial Analysis
• Mergers
• Start-Ups
• Financial Modeling
• Valuation
• Cross-Border Transactions
• Acquisitions
• Private Equity/Venture Capital
• Life Sciences
• Venture Capital
• Executive Management
• P&L Management