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Corporate Financier

Analysis and insight from the Corporate Finance Faculty

March 2025

This month we look at life sciences M&A – will 2025 see a pick-up? Plus: Pearson’s Sally Johnson on the education company’s approach to M&A; Tom Rowe-Jones of LAVA Advisory Partners on the challenges of advising in an accountancy firm takeover; and private equity investment in Scotland.

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Long read: Life sciences and biotech M&A

M&A in 2024 might not have given the life sciences and biotech sectors the boost that was expected, but the drivers remain and 2025 is getting off to a good start. David Prosser looks at how the predicted dynamics are now coming into play.
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News and views

Faculty news
Bayes M&A Research Centre’s annual ‘look ahead’ for 2025 UK panel of speakers
March 2025

An update on PISCES, the Navigating Power and Politics event, the Faculty AGM and Bayes annual 'look ahead'.

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opinion
Jon Moulton ICAEW Corporate Financier
Jon Moulton on due diligence

Jon Moulton explains that due diligence is forever evolving, but external factors mean providers must be careful about scope.

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opinion
Henry Whorwood is head of research and consultancy at Beauhurst, the data and analytics company with a focus on high growth companies and a member of the Corporate Finance Faculty
Henry Whorwood on early-stage finance

Early stage investment is slowing, but there may be local headwinds says Beauhurst's Henry Whorwood.

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Global investment and M&A

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Insight: Post-offer intention statements

We are one year on from the Takeover Panel’s implementation of a more rigorous approach to post-offer intentions. Jason Sinclair looks at how it is bedding in.
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Innovation and sustainable recovery

Insider dealing: Applied Nutrition’s London listing

Applied Nutrition’s London listing has shown that investor appetite for high-quality companies is as healthy as ever, says Nicholas Neveling.
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Roadshow: Scotland

Scotland can be a tough nut to crack for investors with its mix of wide-open space and heavily populated cities. Jo Russell speaks to private equity firms unearthing Caledonian gems.
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Future advisory professionals

profile
Pearson CFO Sally Johnson
Lessons in dealmaking

Sally Johnson, CFO of education services company Pearson, talks about the importance of a clear strategy and how M&A plays its part.

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career paths
Linda Nguyenova, investor and deal origination lead in Yorkshire and the North East at BGF
Listen and learn

Linda Nguyenova, investor and deal origination lead at BGF, says listening to entrepreneurs is key to learning what makes a business tick.

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On my CV
Tom Rowe-Jones, M&A director at LAVA Advisory Partners
All on board

Tom Rowe-Jones from LAVA Advisory Partners says exploring all options for equity partners is vital for M&A in the accountancy sector.

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Connections

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Corporate finance advisory

Promotions and those on the move in corporate finance advisory.

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Legal advisory

Who’s on the move or been promoted in legal advisory.

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Private equity

Recruitment and promotions in private equity.

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The archives

Browse Corporate Financier content from February 2025 and earlier.

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