A desire to secure leadership for the future is driving midsize firms to resume merger talks and strike deals that were largely put on hold in the wake of the pandemic, consultants say.

Combinations among midsize and boutique firms often occur when an entity recognizes it needs more management strength, which could enable it to afford the things it can’t on its own, such as marketing and business development staff and technology. That motivation has only grown in the past decade as firms see a cohort of business-generating senior leaders nearing retirement.