Conference programme

In mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance plays a key role. It influences deal structures, risk management and post-transaction integration. The panel will examine a recent high-profile M&A transaction as a case study to examine key governance challenges and best practices.

The panel will discuss:

• the role of the board in evaluating and approving the transaction;
• fiduciary duties and conflict management in deal negotiations;
• governance risks in post-merger integration and leadership transitions; and
• lessons learned for future transactions.

The panel will also discuss from lessons learned, guidance for how companies can proactively address governance risks in M&A transactions

This session aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the pivotal events and trends in shareholder activism over the upcoming year while offering insights into anticipated developments for the upcoming year.

The panel will discuss:

• a review of the most notable activist campaigns from 2025, highlighting their impact on corporate strategies and shareholder value;
• regulatory developments which have the potential to influence the direction of activist campaigns;
• the trend of global activist campaigns including the increased role of US activist investors in European markets

The rapid advancement of digital technologies has reshaped the corporate governance landscape with technology companies facing unprecedented regulatory scrutiny. This session will address how in an environment where regulators are tightening compliance requirements, companies are compelled to adapt their governance frameworks.

This panel will discuss:

• how evolving regulations are impacting technology companies and how their board are adapting governance structures to meet compliance demands, while maintaining innovation and competitiveness;
• the role of legal and compliance teams in navigating cross border regulatory challenges; and
• the increasing expectations on boards and directors in overseeing regulatory risks.
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Regulatory scrutiny is ever-changing in a complex legal landscape and has intensified world-wide. As a result, antitrust and competition laws are increasingly influencing corporate strategies, transactions and operational decisions. The panel will explore how advisors can guide companies in navigating evolving anti-trust frameworks, mitigating legal risks and ensuring compliance with regulations while pursuing growth and expansion.

The panel will discuss:

• key antitrust considerations in mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures;
• the role of competition law in pricing strategies, supply chain agreements and market dominance;
• best practices for corporate governance and compliance programmes; and
• lessons learned from high profile antitrust investigations and merger transactions.

Private equity (PE) investors are paying close attention to corporate governance structures and companies seeking investments must be well prepared to meet the expectations of their new investors. The panel will explore the essential governance frameworks, policies and structures that make a company attractive to PE investors.

The panel will discuss:

• governance elements that PE firms prioritise in due diligence;
• board composition, independence and fiduciary responsibilities;
• structure of management incentive plans to align with goals; and
• preparing for post-investment governance shifts and operational insight.

This panel will address the ever-evolving role of the board in times of crisis and uncertainty, whether that be as a result of changes in political policy, outbreak of war or changes in attitudes of stakeholders to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in general.

The panel will discuss:

• the impact of geopolitical uncertainty on governance generally and how boards have had to evolve during such times of crisis;
• how the recent political shift following President Trump’s re-election has led to significant changes in the landscape of DEI initiatives; and
• how these external factors are influencing corporate strategy and how stakeholder influence is shifting.