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Corporate Financier

Analysis and insight from the Corporate Finance Faculty

May 2026

This month, we look at the challenges for advisers and investors working with the growing number of family offices. We also focus on the outlook for M&A in the South West and analyse deal-making in the logistics sector.

Oil painting style portrait to illustrate 'The Family Way' article

Cover story: The family way

As wealthy family businesses look to secure their legacies for future generations, family office investment vehicles are becoming a growing source of deals for advisers. Jo Russell finds out what makes them a different breed of investor.
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Views

Marc Mullen headshot
Editor's letter: Ordering chaos

A long time ago I did a mathematics degree (not very well I must admit). Having excelled at maths pre-university, I found myself way out of my depth.

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Sketch of Doug Lawson
Column: Night of the living LLMs

Tech business valuations are under pressure worldwide, driven by AI’s rampage through legacy software-as-a-service business offerings, says MarktoMarket’s Doug Lawson.

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Faculty news

Public to private (PTP) guideline panel discussion, launch event April 2026
Faculty news: May 2026

The latest from ICAEW’s centre of professional expertise in corporate finance, including: Public to private (PTP) guideline launch; introducing our new technical committee chair; and dates for your diary.

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Innovation and sustainable growth

Window panes

Insider dealing: Growing panes

After a four-year hold period, BGF sold specialist windows manufacturer Victorian Sliders for £60m at the end of last year. Jason Sinclair reports on how its Swedish acquirer could open new markets for the south-west Wales business.
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Roadshow: Western promise

Off the radar for many deal-makers, the South West boasts M&A stats that buck stuttering national trends. Rachel Willcox investigates what makes the region tick and whether its strong growth can be maintained.
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Coastline

Trendwatch: Businesses on the move?

Flourishing e-commerce led to a boom in pandemic-era logistics, that’s since been tempered by insular policy making and shortening supply chains. David Prosser asks if the sector will be going places this year.
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Dan Wright
Gold leaf

Book review: Sustaining sustainability

ESG-related investing is encountering significant headwinds, exacerbating the need for more rigorous methodology to assess how to drive long-term financial value. Marc Mullen speaks to Michel Driessen about his new book, co-authored with Sebastian Schmidt.
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Analysis

In numbers

M&A figures for Q1 2026 hit serious highs, recording the most megadeals since the global financial crisis of 2008, despite war in the Middle East.
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On the road again?

It started as a charitable organisation, went private in 1999, became PE-owned in 2004, listed in 2014, and reverted to PE ownership in 2021. Is The AA now heading to a new home?
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Yellow AA van parked on the grass

Future advisory professionals

Yaan Moulary
Career paths: Arc of a career

Yann Moulary came from France to the UK to complete his master’s degree, and stayed to build his career, originating deals and driving value from investments at Newable.

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Beth Warner
On my CV: Servo-assisted

Beth Warner, associate director at FRP Corporate Finance, says aerospace and defence component maker HT Servo needed to be well prepared to attract the right buyer.

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Connections

molecule blue bubbles ICAEW Corporate Financier Connections
Corporate finance advisory

Promotions and those on the move in corporate finance advisory.

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molecule teal bubbles ICAEW Corporate Financier Connections
Legal advisory

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

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molecule purple bubbles ICAEW Corporate Financier Connections
Private equity

Recruitment and promotions in private equity.

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The archives

Browse Corporate Financier content from April 2026 and earlier.

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