Deal Talk: Australian M&A podcast Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:32:28 +1000 en © 2026 Deal Talk: Australian M&A podcast yes 64b9bdca-86c9-56c4-b567-e0da06afc688 Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer episodic false Deal Talk is presented by our market leading corporate team. It focuses on complex transactions, and the deals, decisions and forces shaping M&A in Australia and globally.

The series delivers clear, practical insight on how deals are structured, negotiated and completed in today’s market, drawing on real transactions and current developments.


Designed for boards, executives and deal teams looking for informed perspectives from advisers at the centre of the market.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer https://storage.buzzsprout.com/vp08c1u6ddisjssbx0lqlecfzqtt?.jpg Deal Talk: Australian M&A podcast Deal Talk EP5: The rules of the game in Financial Services M&A Deal Talk EP5: The rules of the game in Financial Services M&A In this episode of Deal Talk, partners Kam Jamshidi, head of private equity, and Andrew Bradley, head of our financial services regulatory practice, explore the opportunities for M&A in the Australian financial services sector.
 
Sharing insights from their recent experience advising on the sale of Insignia Financial, Andrew and Kam work through the key issues facing dealmakers in this sector, including:

  • The themes driving financial services M&A and private equity interest
  • How the sector has changed in the years since the Royal Commission
  • ASIC's enforcement focus and why regulatory pressure is an opportunity, not just a threat
  • The Shield and First Guardian situation and what it means for the broader ecosystem
  • Legacy technology stacks and the opportunity for international buyers to add value; and
  • The differences in working with APRA and FIRB to get a deal over the line

Important listening for private equity sponsors and strategic acquirers considering the Australian financial services sector.

]]> In this episode of Deal Talk, partners Kam Jamshidi, head of private equity, and Andrew Bradley, head of our financial services regulatory practice, explore the opportunities for M&A in the Australian financial services sector.
 
Sharing insights from their recent experience advising on the sale of Insignia Financial, Andrew and Kam work through the key issues facing dealmakers in this sector, including:

  • The themes driving financial services M&A and private equity interest
  • How the sector has changed in the years since the Royal Commission
  • ASIC's enforcement focus and why regulatory pressure is an opportunity, not just a threat
  • The Shield and First Guardian situation and what it means for the broader ecosystem
  • Legacy technology stacks and the opportunity for international buyers to add value; and
  • The differences in working with APRA and FIRB to get a deal over the line

Important listening for private equity sponsors and strategic acquirers considering the Australian financial services sector.

]]> Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Buzzsprout-19286284 Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:00:00 +1000 1249 5 full false Deal Talk EP4: The Star Decision - Lessons for Directors (Part 2) Deal Talk EP4: The Star Decision - Lessons for Directors (Part 2) In this follow-up episode to Part 1: The Star Decision - Lessons for Directors, HSF Kramer Chair and Senior Partner Rebecca Maslen-Stannage and Partner Carolyn Pugsley, turn to the broader governance lessons from the Star decision — including Justice Lee's pointed observations on AI in the boardroom, the growing problem of board pack overload, and what the case means for general counsel and company secretaries as officers of the company.

They also cover the critical role of contemporaneous records and share their top practical tips for directors and officers.

A must-listen for boards and governance professionals navigating the evolving duties landscape in Australia.

]]> In this follow-up episode to Part 1: The Star Decision - Lessons for Directors, HSF Kramer Chair and Senior Partner Rebecca Maslen-Stannage and Partner Carolyn Pugsley, turn to the broader governance lessons from the Star decision — including Justice Lee's pointed observations on AI in the boardroom, the growing problem of board pack overload, and what the case means for general counsel and company secretaries as officers of the company.

They also cover the critical role of contemporaneous records and share their top practical tips for directors and officers.

A must-listen for boards and governance professionals navigating the evolving duties landscape in Australia.

]]> Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Buzzsprout-19245516 Wed, 27 May 2026 09:00:00 +1000 1279 4 full false Deal Talk EP3: The Star Decision - Lessons for Directors (Part 1) Deal Talk EP3: The Star Decision - Lessons for Directors (Part 1) In this episode of Deal Talk, HSF Kramer Chair and Senior Partner Rebecca Maslen-Stannage and Partner Carolyn Pugsley, break down the Australian Federal Court's landmark decision in ASIC v Star Entertainment — and why a case where the directors were ultimately found not liable may be the most important directors' duties decision in years.

They cover what the board was actually asked to decide, why ASIC's reliance on Centro fell short, the role of management in filtering information to the board, and the practical steps directors can take right now to strengthen their position.

Essential listening for directors, general counsel and company secretaries.

]]> In this episode of Deal Talk, HSF Kramer Chair and Senior Partner Rebecca Maslen-Stannage and Partner Carolyn Pugsley, break down the Australian Federal Court's landmark decision in ASIC v Star Entertainment — and why a case where the directors were ultimately found not liable may be the most important directors' duties decision in years.

They cover what the board was actually asked to decide, why ASIC's reliance on Centro fell short, the role of management in filtering information to the board, and the practical steps directors can take right now to strengthen their position.

Essential listening for directors, general counsel and company secretaries.

]]> Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Buzzsprout-19245392 Wed, 27 May 2026 08:00:00 +1000 1202 3 full false Deal Talk EP2: Analysing NBIOs in Australian Public M&A Deal Talk EP2: Analysing NBIOs in Australian Public M&A In Episode 2 of Deal Talk, partners Kam Jamshidi and Nicole Pedler explore what the 2025 NBIO market reveals for bidders and targets in Australian public M&A.
HSF Kramer has deeply analysed non binding indicative offers in public deals to extract the key lessons for bidders and targets when formulating their M&A strategy. Drawing on this proprietary data, the episode examines when NBIOs most commonly emerge and what that means for listed companies facing major announcements, leadership changes and other market moving events.

Kam and Nicole work through the 2025 NBIO landscape, covering:

  • success rates
  • disclosure practices and timing
  • engagement periods
  • private equity dynamics
  • pre bid stakes
  • recent Takeovers Panel developments

A practical discussion for boards, management teams and advisers preparing for, advising on or responding to a potential public M&A approach.

]]> In Episode 2 of Deal Talk, partners Kam Jamshidi and Nicole Pedler explore what the 2025 NBIO market reveals for bidders and targets in Australian public M&A.
HSF Kramer has deeply analysed non binding indicative offers in public deals to extract the key lessons for bidders and targets when formulating their M&A strategy. Drawing on this proprietary data, the episode examines when NBIOs most commonly emerge and what that means for listed companies facing major announcements, leadership changes and other market moving events.

Kam and Nicole work through the 2025 NBIO landscape, covering:

  • success rates
  • disclosure practices and timing
  • engagement periods
  • private equity dynamics
  • pre bid stakes
  • recent Takeovers Panel developments

A practical discussion for boards, management teams and advisers preparing for, advising on or responding to a potential public M&A approach.

]]> Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Buzzsprout-19201020 Wed, 20 May 2026 13:00:00 +1000 1731 2 full false Deal Talk EP1: Global M&A Outlook 2026 Deal Talk EP1: Global M&A Outlook 2026 In the first episode of Deal Talk, our partners, Mia Harrison-Kelf, Geoff Kerrigan and Li-Lian Yeo discuss the key findings from our latest Global M&A Outlook.

The episode reflects on the defining features of the 2025 deal market and explores what they mean for M&A activity in Australia and globally in 2026. Including deal volumes, valuation dynamics, regulatory scrutiny and execution risk. A practical discussion for anyone involved in planning, approving or delivering transactions.

]]> In the first episode of Deal Talk, our partners, Mia Harrison-Kelf, Geoff Kerrigan and Li-Lian Yeo discuss the key findings from our latest Global M&A Outlook.

The episode reflects on the defining features of the 2025 deal market and explores what they mean for M&A activity in Australia and globally in 2026. Including deal volumes, valuation dynamics, regulatory scrutiny and execution risk. A practical discussion for anyone involved in planning, approving or delivering transactions.

]]> Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Buzzsprout-19069112 Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +1000 1106 1 full false