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Corporate Financier

Analysis and insight from the Corporate Finance Faculty

February 2026

This month, we look at how non-executive directors and observers keep PE portfolio companies moving towards an exit. We find out why the Thames Valley is one of the busiest deal regions in the country and examine the reasons growth in impact investing is outstripping all other forms of investment.

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Long read: Grease the gears

Investing in a business is just the beginning of the private equity process. Nicholas Neveling examines how non-executive directors and observers help management teams drive growth through to a successful exit.
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News and views

faculty news
Headshots of Eversheds Sutherlands partners
Faculty news: February 2026

The latest from ICAEW’s centre of professional expertise in corporate finance, including: Eversheds Sutherland and White Oak join the faculty; Tax incentives consultation; and dates for the diary.

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Capital at a crossroads

Subdued growth and persistent inflation means something has to give. AI will be the differentiator in 2026, says Jackie Bowie, Managing Partner and Head of EMEA, Chatham Financial

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New year, new deals

It’s a new year – and maybe the one thing 2025 taught us is to expect the unexpected, says David Petrie, ICAEW Head of Corporate Finance

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Innovation and sustainable growth

River Thames at Reading Bridge

Roadshow: Valley of the deals

Outside London, the Thames Valley is one of the busiest deal regions in the country. Jason Sinclair finds out what keeps it buzzing.
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Effecting causes

Growth in impact investing is outstripping all other forms of investment. Jo Russell reports on a strategy that balances profits and values.
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Fail to plan, plan to fail

Management incentive plans (MIPs) can be modelled to three decimal places, and breeze through HMRC approval, but if CFOs don’t trust them and the management team don’t believe in them, they’re doomed from the start. Burges Salmon partner Nigel Watson and Francis Moore of Wyvern Partners, explain how to plan to succeed.
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Future advisory professionals

career paths
Thomas Dutton, investment director, WestBridge
Career paths: Man for all seasons

All elements of the private equity cycle excite Thomas Dutton, investment director at WestBridge, as he continues to build his network in the north.

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on my cv
Oliver Aspinall
On my CV: On a care hunt

For rehab business Providence Projects, it was all about finding the right buyer and the right price, says Oliver Aspinall, corporate finance manager at S&W.

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Connections

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Corporate finance advisory

Promotions and those on the move in corporate finance advisory.

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Legal advisory

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

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Private equity

Recruitment and promotions in private equity.

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The archives

Browse Corporate Financier content from December 2025 and earlier.

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