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Corporate Finance Faculty

Lead advisory

Initiating deals, managing sale processes, devising acquisition strategies and applying techniques in global and local mergers and acquisitions.
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Topical articles

Liverpool pier
Roadshow: Pooled knowledge
  • Article
  • 10 Nov 2025
Two-and-a-half centuries ago, Liverpool was a driving force behind the industrial revolution; now, it’s at the heart of a new movement. Jo Russell looks at how the city and wider region is spearheading the life sciences and technology revolution.
Dave Hilton, Forvis Mazars partner
On my CV: Healthy eating
  • Article
  • 10 Nov 2025
When you’re selling a family business with a strong culture, any old buyer won’t do, says Forvis Mazars partner, Dave Hilton.
Construction worker on site
Insider dealing: In safe hands
  • Article
  • 10 Nov 2025
ICG’s sale of Kee Safety to Inflexion and 65 Equity proves that a high-quality business, polished by successive private equity owners, will always command a good valuation, whatever the market conditions. Nicholas Neveling reports.
Image of roadsign reading 'Cyber security attraction'
Cover story: calculating a new route
  • Article
  • 10 Nov 2025
Continuation funds keep things straightforward for portfolio companies. But for private equity they are a diversion from the plan. Is it a failure of the model or a pragmatic change? David Prosser reports.
Headshot of Doug Lawson
Column: Doug Lawson
  • Article
  • 10 Nov 2025
Private equity-backed buy-and-builds of accountancy firms are not new, but the opportunities keep coming, says MarktoMarket’s Doug Lawson.
Meera Shah
Analysis: Uptick UK?
  • Article
  • 10 Nov 2025
There have been positive signs for UK M&A so far this year, but what does the future hold? Marc Mullen gets the views of three Corporate Finance Faculty board members.
A pair of hands typing on the laptop keyboard
More information on potential ICAEW and CIPFA merger
  • Article
  • 28 Oct 2025
ICAEW and CIPFA have shared more details on their proposed merger, including the rationale and a vision for the future. ICAEW is asking members and students to get in touch with their thoughts.
Acquiring another firm as a small firm: five crucial steps
  • Article
  • 13 Oct 2025
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) isn’t just for large firms – as Chris Brown can attest. He shares his acquisition journey and dos and don’ts.
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Interviews and profiles

Silvia Rindone, UK and Ireland managing partner for strategy and transactions at EY
Profile: Silvia Rindone, EY
  • Article
  • 09 Sep 2025
Silvia Rindone, UK and Ireland managing partner for strategy and transactions at EY, talks about how she is redefining the expertise needed to reshape the industry and meet the challenges facing advisory firms.
ICON Corporate Finance associate director Will Cave
Career paths: Will Cave, ICON Corporate Finance
  • Article
  • 10 Jul 2025
The desire to work with entrepreneurs is what spurred ICON Corporate Finance associate director Will Cave to move from business marketing into M&A, specialising in tech deals.
Andrew Frame, corporate finance partner and head of education sector M&A at Grant Thornton
On my CV: Andrew Frame, Grant Thornton
  • Article
  • 09 Apr 2025
Finding a deal structure that ensures alignment between the acquirer and vendors to best position the company for growth is critical, says Andrew Frame of Grant Thornton.
Tom Rowe-Jones, M&A director at LAVA Advisory Partners
On my CV: Tom Rowe-Jones, LAVA Advisory Partners
  • Article
  • 10 Mar 2025
Exploring all options for equity partners to ensure alignment for a diverse stakeholder base is key for M&A in the accountancy sector, says Tom Rowe-Jones of LAVA Advisory Partners.
Pearson CFO Sally Johnson
Profile: Sally Johnson, CFO, Pearson
  • Article
  • 05 Mar 2025
Its effective use of M&A saw education services company Pearson receive the Corporate Finance Faculty’s Corporate Development Award last November. Marc Mullen talks to CFO Sally Johnson about the importance of a clear strategy and how M&A plays its part.
Oliver Stephens, associate director at Headpoint Advisors
Career paths: Oliver Stephens, Headpoint Advisors
  • Article
  • 10 Dec 2024
Oliver Stephens, associate director at Headpoint Advisors, is firmly focused on delivering market-leading international M&A advice to mid-market companies across the UK.
Gemma Legg, head of M&A for Thames Valley and South Coast at RSM UK
Career paths: Gemma Legg, RSM UK
  • Article
  • 10 Sep 2024
Collaboration is key when it comes to getting complex deals done, says Gemma Legg, head of M&A for Thames Valley and South Coast at RSM UK.
haysmacintyre partner Jon Dawson, standing on a London rooftop with skyscrapers behind and beside greenery shrubs
On my CV: Jon Dawson, haysmacintyre
  • Article
  • 09 Jul 2024
Working as a group of advisers can move deals to the most appropriate and most efficient solutions, says haysmacintyre partner Jon Dawson.
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Practical guidance

Read the Corporate Finance Faculty's good practice guidelines on M&A and related areas.
Definition and types of AI landing page
AI in corporate finance
  • Hub page
  • 23 Sep 2024
The Corporate Finance Faculty have brought together insights and resources on how AI is being used in corporate finance to help you better understand the application benefits and risks, as well as the practical considerations as you begin to revolutionise how deals are done.
Telescope viewer with city skyline
Commercial due diligence
  • Report
  • 08 Sep 2025
This guideline explores how commercial due diligence (CDD) contributes to the investment decision-making process, the best practices and emerging trends that can enhance its quality and effectiveness, and the responsibilities of the various parties involved.
Jump jet taking off at sunset
National Security and Investment
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 28 Jan 2021
The National Security and Investment Act 2021 strengthens the government’s powers to call in and scrutinise transactions on grounds of national security. The legislation commenced on 4 January 2022. The ‘call-in power’ may be used in relation to transactions that took place on or after 12 November 2020.
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Bloomsbury Accounting and Tax Service

Eligible firms have free access to Bloomsbury Professional's comprehensive online library, comprising around 80 titles from some of the country's leading tax and accounting subject matter experts. Find out who is eligible and how you can access the Accounting and Tax Service.

Capital Gains Tax Reliefs for SMEs and Entrepreneurs 2020/21
Exclusive Capital gains tax reliefs for SMEs and entrepreneurs 2025-26
  • eBook
  • 13 Oct 2025
  • Satwaki Chanda, Sam Hart
  • Capital Gains Tax Reliefs for SMEs and Entrepreneurs
Detailed guidance on the capital gains tax reliefs that may apply on the sale of businesses, business assets, or a gift.
Capital Gains Tax Reliefs for SMEs and Entrepreneurs 2020/21
Exclusive Business asset disposal relief (formerly entrepreneurs’ relief)
  • eBook chapter
  • 13 Oct 2025
  • Satwaki Chanda, Sam Hart
  • Capital Gains Tax Reliefs for SMEs and Entrepreneurs
A chapter providing detailed guidance on business asset disposal relief (formerly entrepreneurs’ relief), written for SMEs and entrepreneurs in the UK.
Corporation tax 2024/25
Exclusive Buying and selling companies
  • eBook chapter
  • 01 Sep 2025
  • Satwaki Chanda, Jacquelyn Kimber, Andrew Parkes
  • Corporation Tax
Practical guidance on the taxation issues involved in buying and selling a corporate business, aimed at professional tax advisers.
Tax Planning: 2020/21 book cover
Exclusive Selling or winding-up an owner-managed company
  • eBook chapter
  • 20 Aug 2025
  • Mark McLaughlin, Partha Ray
  • Tax Planning
A chapter on tax considerations when selling or winding-up an owner-managed company, written for professional advisers.
Value Added Tax 2024/25 book cover
Exclusive Buying or selling a business
  • eBook chapter
  • 20 Aug 2025
  • Andrew Needham
  • Value Added Tax
This chapter covers VAT in relation to buying or selling a business.
Capital Gains Tax 2024/25 book cover
Exclusive Business asset disposal relief (formerly entrepreneurs' relief)
  • eBook chapter
  • 07 May 2025
  • Chris Erwood, Jacquelyn Kimber, Iris Wünschmann-Lyall
  • Capital Gains Tax
Expert commentary on the current UK capital gains tax legislation related to business asset disposal relief.
Capital allowances: transactions and planning 2020/21
Exclusive Acquisition of a business
  • eBook chapter
  • 01 May 2025
  • Steven Bone
  • Capital Allowances Transactions and Planning
Chapter on the capital allowance implications when acquiring a business, including acquisition of shares, acquisition of a trade and company reconstructions without a change of ownership.
Tax Planning for Family and Owner-Managed Companies 2024/25 book cover
Exclusive Making a business acquisition
  • eBook chapter
  • 01 Mar 2025
  • Peter Rayney
  • Tax Planning for Family and Owner-managed Companies
Advice on the typical process for making a business acquisition, written for anyone who advises or runs a family or owner-managed company. Includes an overview of agreeing outline terms, carrying out a due diligence investigation and the tax due diligence process.
Terms of use

You are permitted to access, download, copy, or print out content from eBooks for your own research or study only, subject to the Acceptable usage terms.

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eBooks

The Library & Information Service provides a collection of eBooks as a benefit of membership. Please log in to access these titles. If you are unable to access an eBook, please see our Help and support or contact library@icaew.com.

Exclusive M&A failure trap: why most mergers and acquisitions fail and how the few succees, The
  • eBook
  • 13 Nov 2024
  • Baruch Lev, Feng Gu
Covers mergers and acquisitions for executives and investors.
Exclusive Unwritten rules of M&A: mergers and acquisitions that deliver growth- learning from private equity
  • eBook
  • 26 Oct 2024
  • John Colley
This book helps to navigate the difficult terrain faced by boards wishing to grow through acquisition. It identifies which strategies are more likely to be effective and how the chosen strategy largely determines the form of integration.
Exclusive Business Asset Disposal Relief
  • eBook chapter
  • 31 Aug 2024
  • Malcolm James
  • Taxation of Small Businesses
A section giving a detailed exposition of the circumstances in which Business Asset Disposal Relief is available.
Exclusive Acquisitions 2024
  • eBook
  • 01 Jan 2024
  • University of Law
Provides an introduction to the legal and taxation implications of buying and selling a business enterprise.
Exclusive Mergers and takeovers
  • eBook chapter
  • 12 Feb 2020
  • Glen Arnold
  • Financial Times Guide to Investing
A chapter examining common motives behind mergers, the ways in which mergers are financed, the merger process, and the rules and regulations designed to prevent unfairness to shareholders.
Exclusive Mergers and takeovers
  • eBook chapter
  • 26 Feb 2019
  • Denzil Watson, Antony Head
  • Corporate Finance
A chapter covering the different types of merger and takeover, the motives behind merger and takeover activity, relevant valuation techniques, ways in which mergers and takeovers can be financed, strategies and tactics employed in the takeover process, and more.
Exclusive Wealth creation in the world's largest mergers and acquisitions: integrated case studies
  • eBook
  • 15 Dec 2018
  • B. Rajesh Kumar
This book highlights research-based case studies in order to analyze the wealth created in the world's largest mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Each chapter covers a specific case and offers a focused clinical examination of the entire lifecycle of M&A for each mega deal, exploring all aspects of the process.
Exclusive Valuation for M&A
  • eBook
  • 01 Jan 2018
  • Chris M Mellen, Frank C Evans
This title aims to help determine a company's value, what drives it, and how to enhance value during a merger or acquisition. This edition includes new chapters on fairness opinions and professional services firms.
Terms of use

You are permitted to access, download, copy, or print out content from eBooks for your own research or study only, subject to the terms of use set by our suppliers and any restrictions imposed by individual publishers. Please see individual supplier pages for full terms of use.

Articles and books in the ICAEW Library collection

The collection of the ICAEW Library & Information Service includes a range of articles, books and reports on mergers and acquisitions. A selection of recent books is set out below.
Taxation of partnerships: a practical guide, 3rd ed.
  • Library book
  • 07 Mar 2025
  • P. Howard
A practical guide to the tax issues and principles which apply to different types of partnership, including LLPs, limited partnerships and partnerships with corporate members. It covers all the key taxes – income tax, capital gains tax, SDLT, corporation tax – as well as complex areas such as mergers and demergers, incorporations, and losses.
The sale of shares and businesses: law, practice and agreements, 7th ed.
  • Library book
  • 24 Oct 2024
  • C. Graham
A comprehensive guide to selling and buying businesses in England and Wales. Contains a full set of precedents, including a range of model asset and share purchase agreements.
Private equity: a transactional analysis
  • Library book
  • 01 Aug 2024
  • C. Hale (ed.)
A practical introduction to the world of private equity. Contributing authors explore the key ingredients of private equity transactions and the technical issues associated with them.
Fundamentals of M&A, private equity and valuation: key concepts, 100+ exercises with solutions and technical interview cases
  • Library book
  • 05 Jan 2024
  • S. Rosset
A comprehensive guide to mergers & acquisitions and private equity, with a particular emphasis on valuation methodologies. It includes detailed examples, practical exercises, and real-world technical cases to help both students and professionals build a solid foundation in these essential areas.
Business Asset Disposal Relief — 15 years on
  • Library book
  • 01 May 2023
  • R. Jamieson
A Tax Digest examining the development of Business Asset Disposal Relief (previously known as Entrepreneurs’ Relief) since the introduction of the regime in 2008. It aims to bring readers up-to-date with all aspects of this valuable capital gains tax incentive.
Buying and selling private companies and businesses
  • Library book
  • 30 Jun 2022
  • S. Singleton
This book provides detailed coverage of the key commercial, tax and legal issues relating to business sales, from the perspective of both the seller and the purchaser. Covers the full sales process, from due diligence through to completion of the share purchase or business transfer agreement.
Buying and selling insolvent companies and businesses
  • Library book
  • 01 Jan 2022
  • K.Titchen
A comprehensive guide to the sale and purchase of insolvent companies or businesses for insolvency practitioners and other professionals involved in insolvency, including lawyers, accountants, company directors and company secretaries.
Corporate acquisitions and mergers in the United Kingdom
  • Library book
  • 26 Aug 2021
  • N. von Bismarck
A concise guide to law and practice relating to mergers and acquisitions of public and private companies in the United Kingdom. From the perspectives of both purchaser and seller, it considers key topics such as structuring the transaction, due diligence, and contractual protection.

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Information

Some of the content on this web page was provided by the Chartered Accountants’ Trust for Education and Research, a registered charity, which owns the library and operates it for ICAEW.