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Corporate Financier

Analysis and insight from the Corporate Finance Faculty

October 2024

This month we look at infra investment requirements in the UK and how a national wealth fund could help. Plus: AI in mid-market deals; the happy ending to the Toucan Energy saga; Gresham House’s Maya Ward on her career path; and Azets’ Daniel Jonas discusses a recent deal.

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Long read: UK infrastructure

Addressing the UK’s infrastructure challenge is a key plank of the new government’s strategy. But will the £7.3bn allocated to the UK Infrastructure Bank, which has become the National Wealth Fund, be enough – and will it deliver?
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Going head to head with AI

Artificial intelligence seems to be viewed as the future of everything, but what does it mean in the context of M&A for mid-market advisers?
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News and views

Faculty news
ICAEW Corporate Finance Faculty diversity and inclusion event at Chartered Accountants Hall London
October 2024

We take a look back at last month’s diversity and inclusion event at Chartered Accountants’ Hall, plus dates for your diary and consultations.

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opinion
ICAEW head of corporate finance David Petrie
David Petrie on the M&A outlook

With the new UK government about to announce its first Budget, ICAEW head of corporate finance David Petrie gives his thoughts on the M&A outlook.

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analysis
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In numbers: PE, fintech and more

From good news for fintech and private equity performance to what’s troubling CEOs, we bring you the latest facts and figures.

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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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Global investment and M&A

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Insight: debt financing

Soaring inflation and the rapid rise in interest rates delivered a major blow to M&A deals, increasing the cost and reducing the debt finance that helps fuel them. But there are indications that better times lie ahead.
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Innovation and sustainable growth

Insider dealing: Schroders Greencoat buys Toucan

‘You couldn’t make it up’ – a bit of a cliché in recent years – is a perfect description of the story of an Essex council’s investment in the UK’s biggest solar portfolio, Toucan Energy. But all’s well that ends well.
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Comment: ESG vendor due diligence

As private equity looks for returns from exit, one helping hand could be the value creation offered by ESG vendor due diligence, as Zara de Belder and Matt Smith of Anthesis Group explain.
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Future advisory professionals

Brief encounter
Jay Ball CEO Flotek
Head above the clouds

Flotek CEO Jay Ball founded his own business by 21, and sold it in his early 30s. Now the tech entrepreneur is going again – this time using M&A.

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career paths
Gresham House Ventures investment director Maya Ward
Healthy outlook

Gresham House Ventures investment director Maya Ward is now building on her corporate finance foundations and focusing on healthcare.

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on my cv
Daniel Jonas, transaction services partner at Azets
Journey plan

Daniel Jonas, transaction services partner at Azets, says being clear with vendors is key to keeping things moving in a deal.

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The archives

Browse Corporate Financier content from October 2025 and earlier.

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