Mergers and Acquisitions

Boost shareholder value and get maximum returns from your deal.

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Dates

Duration

Location

Fully Booked

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Programme impact

Explore the M&A process from start to finish

Leverage value at every stage, from targeting to post-integration.

Good for you
Good for your organisation

Explore the role of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) within your corporate strategy.
Learn to assess targets realistically, value target companies, assess bid tactics and avoid common pitfalls.
Approach the negotiation process skillfully and come away with the best deal.

Manage cultural and system challenges arising post-acquisition, and understand key drivers for on-going success.
Successfully complete post-acquisition integration to generate maximum long-term value from the merger.

Your organisation acquires a senior manager who:

Gains a comprehensive understanding of ow M&A adds value to your organisation.
Uses mergers, acquisitions and divestments to gain a competitive edge and increase shareholder value for sustained growth.

Identifies opportunities, assesses value and implements deals on the most beneficial terms.
Evaluates the financial implications of a merger or acquisition accurately and understands the use of leverage.

"M&As can be hair-raising, but also exciting! I now have a better understanding of them."

Belinda Lucas-Musa

Legal and Compliance Counsel, Exertis UK
Programme: Mergers & Acquisitions
Nationality: British

Read Belinda's Story

Right for you

The programme is designed for senior managers and business leaders who are, or want to be, involved in growing their organisations through M&A. You might be involved in the whole process, and want to improve your skills or find new approaches, or you may be responsible for one aspect of M&A, and want a deeper understanding of the entire process.

management experience

On average

industries

on average per cohort

Attendees include:

Professionals in roles that deal with M&A in any industry. Relevant to M&A first-timers or seasoned acquirers.
Buy-side or sell-side professionals who want insights to successfully navigate deals.

Who attends

By nationality
By industry

The data above display the top nationalities and top 10 industries of participants who responded to our survey during the last full academic year.

Industry of recent participants

Consulting – Management 13.3 %
Manufacturing 13.3 %
Pharmaceuticals/Biotechnology 13.3 %
Power Generation 13.3 %
Finance – Investment Banking 10 %
Food/Beverages/Tobacco 10 %
Aerospace/Aviation 6.7 %
Business Services 6.7 %
Consulting – Other 6.7 %
Downstream Oil/Gas 6.7 %

The data above display the top nationalities and top 10 industries of participants who responded to our survey during the last full academic year.

Programme content

Explore the M&A deal cycle from start to finish

From the initial financial valuation to leveraging your strengths and securing the best possible deal, acquire key skills that work for both you and your company.

What you learn
How you learn
Your learning experience
FAQs

Learn to develop a strong acquisitions strategy and finance a deal. Raise your game to deliver improved growth and shareholder value.
Judge whether a merger or acquisition fits with your corporate strategy, and what kind of companies you should consider.
Learn to determine a company’s worth, both in itself and to your organisation. Make bold, knowledge-based decisions on human, cultural and system issues.
Investigate valuations and buyouts, different corporate valuation techniques, highly leveraged transactions and deal capacity.

Gain real-world insights from business leaders. Hear guest speakers like Neil Boss, Partner in the Post Merger Integration team at Deloitte, bring the entire deal cycle to life.
Delve into world-class case studies covering a range of deal sizes. Find out how organisations tackle deals and overcome issues, learning why some fail and others succeed.
Engage in stimulating debate and discussion, build your negotiation skills and present a case for either the buy or sell side.
Develop your corporate acquisitions strategy and investigate up-to-the-minute developments in the M&A industry.

Build your knowledge base and leverage global networks in London, a commercially-driven and vibrant business capital.
Join our eclectic and highly-talented community and boost your confidence to make deals across different cultures and markets.
Experience both group work and individual study, and take time to reflect on your own learning journey.

What is the application process?

You can apply to the programme of your choice online. Acceptance is not automatic and your application will be reviewed by our team of Programme Consultants to ensure the best fit between applicants and programmes. Spaces on our programmes can fill up quickly so we encourage you to apply early and ensure your submission is as comprehensive as possible.

What does the programme fee cover?

It covers all required study materials, programme activities and excursions, as well as refreshments and most meals.

Do I need to obtain a visa if I’m coming from overseas?

Please check directly with the relevant embassy in your home country to determine whether you need an entry visa for the country where the programme will be held.

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Our faculty

Experts in the field

Access some of the world’s leading thinkers whose cutting-edge research in global business is grounded in real-world practicality.

Marcus Alexander

Adjunct Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship

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Marcus Alexander

Adjunct Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship

Academic Focus

Acquisitions and corporate strategy, developing an acquisitions strategy and post-acquisition integration.

Recent Clients

Marcus Alexander consults to a number of multinational companies such as Shell, Proeza and Alfa Group, and has worked with more than 50 group CEOs over three decades. He also brings experience from joint ventures in Abu Dhabi and as a board member of an acquisitive Saudi Arabian Group.

Experience

Alexander is a non-executive director of companies in three countries, and on the advisory board of a private equity firm. Prior to joining London Business School, he worked in investment banking, strategy consulting, and advertising. He has had many articles published in leading practitioner journals, including Business Strategy Review, Harvard Business Review and California Management Review. He has also co-authored a number of books and contributed to leading news outlets including the BBC, CNN, CNBC, The Times, and the Financial Times.

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Alastair Lawrence

Associate Professor of Accounting

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Alastair Lawrence

Associate Professor of Accounting

Academic Focus

Current M&A practices related to industry-specific valuations. He is also an expert in financial reporting considerations for deal-making.

Recent Clients

Dr Alastair Lawrence has worked with and advised several of the world’s largest companies on valuation and financial reporting issues in the technology industry.

Experience

Dr Lawrence has a PhD in Management with a focus on financial reporting analyses and valuation issues. He sits on the editorial board of two top academic journals and has been published in top-tier US-based academic journals. Dr Lawrence’s research covers key financial reporting and valuation issues. He worked in financial reporting, before becoming a tenured faculty member at the University of California, Berkeley.

James Ryans

Assistant Professor of Accounting

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James Ryans

Assistant Professor of Accounting

Academic Focus

Dr James Ryans’ expertise covers target company valuations, synergy estimations and negotiating M&A terms, as well as current developments and best practices in deal-making.

Recent Clients

Dr Ryans serves as independent director and audit committee chair for Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp, an NYSE-listed blank-check acquisition company. He recently served as independent director, and was on a special board committee, of Groundspeed Analytics, an insurance technology firm. In that role, he negotiated and completed the sale of the firm to the private equity firm Oak HC/FT. Dr Ryans has more than 15 years’ experience in business development, investments and advising insurance industry clients.

Experience

Dr Ryans’ academic research has been published in prestigious journals such as the Journal of Accounting and Economics and The Accounting Review. He is currently researching representation and warranty breaches in acquisitions, M&A synergy disclosures and the effect of securities regulators on deal-making. Dr Ryans has a PhD in Business Administration (accounting) from the University of California, Berkeley, an MBA from the University of Michigan and a bachelors in electrical engineering from the University of Waterloo.

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How to apply

Submit your application through our online application form.

Apply now

Not ready to apply yet? Reserve a place

When should I apply?

We recommend you apply at least three months before the programme starts to guarantee your place. The application form will take approximately 15 to 30 minutes to complete.
When will I hear back from you?

We’ll acknowledge receipt of your application by email within 48 hours, if it’s received during normal working hours (Mon-Fri – 09:00-18:00 GMT). We will review and respond to your application within two working days. We do this in order of receipt and acceptance is not automatic.
Can I reserve a place?

Yes. We can hold a provisional place for you for up to two weeks, but be aware that completed applications take priority and programmes often fill up several months in advance. You can reserve a place online, by phone or by email.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7000 7325 Email: merger@london.edu
What are your language requirements?

The programme is taught in English, so a good working knowledge of the language is essential. If English is not your first language, we may ask you for evidence of your proficiency.
What if I need to cancel?

Providing you inform us in writing no less than six weeks before the programme’s start date, you won’t be charged a cancellation or transfer fee.

Read our full terms and conditions.

Fees

The fee* for programmes starting in 2019 is £7,500.

The fee includes tuition, all required study materials, programme activities and excursions; access to our on-site gym and swimming pool; and lunch and dinner as per the programme schedule.

We offer a 25% discount for London Business School Alumni.

*Fees are subject to change.