Delegates will work in roundtable groups to discuss selected corporate governance and M&A topics which are particularly relevant for small and family-owned businesses, and which will be debated interactively:

1.Cross-Border M&A: Key regulatory hurdles, such as foreign direct investment (FDI) restrictions and national security concerns - cultural and legal due diligence in cross-border M&A deals, how cultural differences, local laws, and business practices can impact the success of a transaction.

2.AI & Technology in M&A transactions: AI-driven due diligence: Risks, opportunities, and future trends; how AI is transforming due diligence, contract analysis, and risk assessment.

3.ESG Integration in M&A Transactions: can integrating ESG criteria into the acquisition strategy enhance long-term value and reduce potential liabilities? how ESG performance impacts deal valuation and integration?

4.Negotiation tactics in M&A deals: Sharing successful strategies and techniques for negotiating favourable terms during M&A transactions.

5.The importance of diversity on corporate boards: Examining how diversity in leadership roles contributes to better governance outcomes.

6.Governance challenges in family businesses: Exploring the unique governance issues faced by family-owned enterprises and strategies for addressing them.

7.Private equity and family-owned businesses: recent trends of private equity firms partnering with family-owned businesses to drive growth, implement succession plans, and prepare for generational transitions and strategies to balance investor influence with the company’s existing structure and values.

8.Corporate governance in crisis management: How companies can prepare and respond to crises with strong governance frameworks.