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Corporate Financier

Analysis and insight from the Corporate Finance Faculty

October 2025

In this month's Corporate Financier the ever-increasing demand for commercial due diligence in an M&A world of risk mitigation is our cover story. We look at the journey Mobeus and Active Travel Group have been on, refinements to the National Security and Investment Act, cyber attacks in a deal context, and private equity investment in financial and professional services.

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Long read: Commercial explosion

The use of commercial due diligence has been on the rise for private equity buyers in particular. But more than a risk mitigation exercise, it feeds directly into post-acquisition strategy. Jason Sinclair looks at a service line increasingly in demand.
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News and views

Faculty news
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October 2025

Shoosmiths joins the Corporate Finance Faculty, launch of a new Commercial Due Diligence guideline and speakers confirmed for the Faculty's annual reception on 13 November.

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Brief encounter
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Banking bonanza

It’s been a long time coming, but when Coventry Building Society finally acquired Co-op Bank, it created the UK’s second-largest building society with £90bn of assets under management.

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Analysis
Henry Whorwood is head of research and consultancy at Beauhurst, the data and analytics company with a focus on high growth companies and a member of the Corporate Finance Faculty
Back to normal?

Investment may have fallen and valuations dropped for early stage companies but, says Beauhurst’s Henry Whorwood, these two things actually offer hope for such businesses.

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Innovation and sustainable growth

Insider dealing: Business for all seasons

Mobeus Equity Partners’ investment in Active Travel Group was rooted in a conviction that active travel is not merely a trend, but a reflection of changing consumer priorities. Jason Sinclair reports.
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In security we trust

After a year in power, the Labour government has published a review of the National Security and Investment Act. Will changes to the regulation help the flow of investment into the UK without compromising our security? David Prosser reports.
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Trendwatch: The professionals

UK financial services continue to attract investment. Jason Sinclair looks at the drivers behind private equity interest in one of the country’s strongest-performing sectors.
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Insights: In line online

Cyber attacks targeting M&A processes can have financial, reputational and opportunity costs for vendors, buyers and advisers. Dealmakers cannot afford to ignore the risks. Nicholas Neveling reports.
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Future advisory professionals

career paths
Jonathan Szoke
Career paths: New environment

Jonathan Szoke joined BDO at the start of 2025 to set up an ESG due diligence offering. It’s been a long journey for the South African, who started out working on a game reserve as a conservationist.

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On my CV
Mark Snaith
On my CV: Bean counters

When an exit is delayed, patience is required, says Connection Capital director Mark Snaith, and being well prepared becomes invaluable.

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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 November 2025 and earlier.

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