Mergers and Acquisitions: How to Maximise Success

By blending theoretical insights with practical applications, this programme is essential for anyone involved in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) activities, including strategy, due diligence, deal-making, and the crucial integration process. 

Sidestep common Mergers and Acquisitions pitfalls and maximise your potential for success. Between 70% and 90% of acquisitions fail, yet businesses frequently pursue acquisitions to meet investor growth expectations.

Participants will gain valuable insights from industry guest speakers who share their real-world M&A experiences, as well as exploring the lessons to be learnt from the Private Equity approach to M&A and value creation.

What will I learn on this course?

• Explore the strategies and critical factors which influence the success or failure of M&A growth.
• Understand the stages of the M&A process and how to pursue best practice and avoid the most common pitfalls.
• Focus on the key elements influencing the success of the integration process.
• Learn how to value a business and consider the factors which influence worth.
• Understand the Private Equity approach and how they are able to create value from the M&A process.
• Determine what strategic buyers, with their differing objectives, can learn from the Private Equity approach.
• Learn about the latest developments and best practice in the M&A and Private Equity industries.

Why should I do this course? 

• Master Mergers & Acquisitions Fundamentals- Equip yourself and your organisation by gaining a comprehensive understanding of the M&A process, including critical strategies, best practices, and common pitfalls to ensure you navigate each stage effectively and enhance integration success.
• Leverage Private Equity Insights- Learn how Private Equity firms create value through M&A, and discover strategic lessons that can be applied in your organisation to enhance your own acquisition strategies.
• Enhance your Executive Network- This course is taught face-to-face over three immersive days at The Shard, allowing you to build your network and share your experiences of M&A with your cohort. You will learn from the experts, expand your network, and leave feeling ready to implement your learning.

Course content

• This course is designed to help you successfully navigate the difficult terrain of M&A with the latest insights from leading academics and practitioners. We suggest solutions to the main pitfalls, and we also use learning from private equity and their 'buy, improve and sell model'.

Day 1 - Strategic Paths to Growth
14 May 2025

• WBS London at The Shard

Day 2 - Private Equity
15 May 2025

• WBS London at The Shard

Day 3 - The M&A Cycle
16 May 2025

• WBS London at The Shard 

Who is the course for?

• This programme is for anyone likely to be involved in M&A activities, from determining strategy to performing due diligence and ensuring successful integrations.
• This could include Senior level Executives responsible for organisational growth strategies as well as Senior Managers who are involved in growing their organisation through M&A.

Sample job titles:

• Director of Transformation
• Director of Strategy and Change
• M & A Director
• Chief Operations Officer
• Chief Finance Officer

Specific requirements

• The course is conducted in English, and participants are expected to be able to understand and contribute to discussions. 

Educated in the English language?

• If you are a non-native speaker of English but have been educated entirely in English this may satisfy the University of your language skills. Please read their information carefully.

Your Experience

• You'll gain the tools and skills to decode complex financial jargon, aligning your initiatives with business goals, communicating confidently with finance teams and making data-driven decisions that resonate.
• During the course, you'll hear from leading industry experts, guest speakers and engage with case studies to gain deeper insights and to understand key areas of finance. 
• You will build a network of like-minded professionals and engage in significant industry-specific debates and trends.

The course includes a Dinner in London and guest lecture, with canapes and networking. 

• Gain insight into real-world M&A strategies 
• Hear from industry experts
• World-class teaching at The Shard

Benefits to Business

• It is highly likely that your business will be involved in an M&A transaction, yet between 70% to 90% of acquisitions fail – this programme has been designed to help you avoid the common M&A pitfalls and maximise your chance of success.
• As our course is taught over 3-days, participants are minimising their time out of the office and therefore minimising impact on the business. 

Join a global business community 

• The Warwick Business School global community is a network of more than 59,000 graduates and students in 172 countries.