CRAFTY LEARNS
Corporate: How big things get done
Getting ready for your next corporate transformation
Facilitated by Shoosmiths:
- David Meisel (Corporate Partner)
- Kurt Ma (Corporate Partner)
- Rosie Hendon (Corporate Legal Director)
- Natalia Tombs (Corporate Legal Director)
This session explored how clients can better prepare for and execute complex corporate transformations, drawing on the panel’s extensive experience advising on high-stakes transactions. The discussion focused on practical strategies for navigating the early stages of a deal, managing diligence, and structuring transactions to support long-term success.
The top three questions or themes explored in this session were…
- Identifying Your Deal Team and Understanding What’s Required of You - Early alignment on roles and responsibilities is critical. Clients often underestimate the internal resource commitment required to run a successful process.
- Due Diligence Considerations - Buyers are investing significantly more time in understanding target businesses. This shift is driven by a greater emphasis on operational integration and cultural fit. For sellers, preparation is key. A well-organized diligence process can materially impact deal certainty and value.
- Transaction Structuring and Preparing for Life Post-Completion - Structuring decisions should be made with the end in mind. Understanding the regulatory, tax, and operational implications of different structures is essential to avoid surprises post-close.
Practical actions you can takeaway from this session:
- Be Proactive: Use tools like Shoosmiths’ “Readiness” framework and 100-day plans to prepare for transformation.
- ESG and Culture Matter: Due diligence now routinely includes reputational and cultural alignment checks.
- Understand the Rules: Regulatory scrutiny is increasing, particularly for cross-border and tech-heavy deals.