Certificate Course on Mergers and Acquisitions: Practitioner Insights Series by Queen Mary University of London

The Queen Mary University of London is offering an online certificate course on Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A). This Advanced Online Program has been developed by the Executive Education team at the School of Law, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), a Top 50 Global Law School which works closely with industry experts. The program offers rare, expert insights for senior M&A practitioners all over the world working on domestic and cross-border M&A transactions.

• Led by senior practitioners with 30+ years of experience in global M&A, the program is for professionals in all jurisdictions who already have some familiarity with the documentary and execution phases of an M&A transaction.

• Our QMUL program offers a deeper, practical understanding of M&A strategy and value drivers which underpin “the M&A lifecycle” from beginning, through execution, to post-completion implementation. 

Who should attend? 

This course will be of particular interest to senior practitioners in law firms, banks, accounting firms, corporate in-house legal, finance and M&A departments as part of their internal training programs.

Program benefits and format 

The QMUL “M&A Practitioner Insights Series” online certificate course offers the opportunity to learn from senior practitioners with international experience for many years, sharing their practical learning of key elements of, and potential pitfalls in, the M&A process – insights which one cannot find in textbooks or online.  

The “insights” are a series of conversations between senior M&A experts with experience of working globally in private practice law firms, in-house legal teams, global legal outsourcing providers, insurers, deal implementation functions, and a range of other M&A teams. 

The course is designed to sharpen the practitioner’s skill set to make better judgement calls to assist their client/ organisation to navigate risk and deliver value on a transaction. 

It is intended to enhance a participant’s contribution to the M&A process, distinguishing your organisation in its ability to deliver on deals or, in the case of a professional service provider, your firm’s standing as a trusted partner/ adviser to your clients.

Detailed program outline and learning 

Our programme will enable you to understand:

Module 1: The “bigger picture” of M&A, and the importance of advisers and principals taking a holistic view:

• Asking the right questions to assess the strategic priorities for a buyer or seller.

• Knowing the key steps to managing risk (recognising different categories of risk and that the flip side to risk is opportunity).

• Understanding what constitutes value in the transaction, how it is measured and where it may be at risk.

• Getting used to making decisions and giving advice on incomplete information.

Module 2: How a risk-based due diligence process is best conducted with an emphasis on:

• An analysis of current value but also future optionality in respect of the target.

• Different approaches to due diligence to balance cost, time, confidentiality and risk considerations.

• Harnessing interdisciplinary collaboration between functional experts during due diligence.

• Scanning the horizon in the industry and regulatory environment (“beyond the data room”).

• The impact and potential use of new AI tools in this important work.

Module 3: Actions one can take to mitigate risks identified during the due diligence process, including:

• Assessing a counterparty’s needs and risk appetite.

• Utilising different risk allocation mechanisms (with foresight of potential pitfalls and unintended consequences).

• Navigating risks which may arise in the event the world changes.

• Potentially externalising the risk through warranty and indemnity insurance or other contingent risk policies.

Module 4: The importance of focusing on value realisation through effective deal implementation, and the key role you can play in this later phase of M&A via:

• Anticipation of implementation challenges early on in the deal process.

• Adopting a collaborative and proactive approach on implementation matters.

• Effective stakeholder engagement and management.

• Identifying potential sources of dispute or value erosion.

Delivery format 

This course is presented entirely online (with an opportunity for a live, online discussion session with senior experts). 

• The four modules (approximate duration 40-60 minutes each) can be completed in the participant’s own time and at their own pace.

• This flexible and structured learning approach is designed for busy professionals to fit the course around their work schedules and commitments.

• After completing the recorded, online materials, participants will have the opportunity to interact with peers and faculty at a live (online) “Ask the Expert” session.

How to Apply?

Click here to enroll in the course. 

If you would like to enrol a team from your organisation onto the course please contact law-hub@qmul.ac.uk to register your interest for flexible group pricing discounts.

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