Ben Engvall is Co-Founder and Head of M&A at Palmer Advisors. He leads the firm’s M&A division, overseeing active listings, buyer relationships, deal negotiations, and the full transaction process. He’s known for a founder-to-founder approach that prioritizes cultural fit, long-term success, and outcomes that go beyond numbers. As he often notes, “people are really everything” in the agency world.
Ben brings a deep traditional finance foundation to Palmer, honed through progressive roles in banking, capital markets, and M&A advisory. Most recently, he served as Director of Acquisitions, where he managed complex deals and built a reputation for handling some of the largest transactions in the marketing and services sectors. Prior to that, Ben spent time in commercial banking at First Republic Bank in New York, and held earlier positions at Toast, Inc. and U.S. Bank. These experiences gave him a comprehensive understanding of financial analysis, valuation, and the nuances of middle-market transactions.
A native of Barrington, Rhode Island, Ben developed his competitive drive and leadership skills on the basketball court. He played four years of basketball at Tufts University and helped lead the team to the NCAA Tournament. He earned a degree in Economics from Tufts, where he built the analytical foundation that shapes his approach to deals today. That same discipline, teamwork, and ability to perform under pressure translate directly to how he approaches M&A. He leads clients through the intensity of a sale with clarity, confidence, and unwavering focus. Outside the office, Ben remains an avid basketball player and brings that same energy and commitment to every client engagement.