Join the M&A Research Centre (MARC) for an exclusive fireside chat as part of the Dean's Lecture Series, featuring two of the UK's most experienced investment bankers and M&A advisors: Ian Hart and Susan Kilsby. Chaired by Professor Michel Driessen, Director of MARC, the session provides an insider's view on the current landscape and future trajectory of global M&A.
Ian Hart is currently the Co-Chair of UK Investment Banking at UBS and returned to UBS after three years as the Director General of the UK Takeover Panel. Susan Kilsby is the former Chair of the EMEA Mergers and Acquisitions group at Credit Suisse and sits on the boards of notably Diageo, Unilever and as Chair of Fortune Brands Innovation. She was also Chair of Shire Plc when it was acquired by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, which at the time in 2019 was Japan’s largest-ever foreign takeover.
During the conversation, the speakers will examine how ongoing geopolitical shifts and evolving regulatory environments are reshaping cross-border deal structures and corporate governance strategies. The discussion will also explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on modern dealmaking and due diligence, alongside a retrospective look at how academic and industry M&A research priorities have evolved over the past 18 years. Notably, Susan only retired in early 2025 from being Chair of Bayes’ M&A Research Centre Advisory Board after serving in that position since 2008, to be followed by Ian.
Following the fireside chat, there will be a live Q&A session with the audience, followed by a networking drinks reception.
Agenda
18:00 – Registration and networking
18:30 – Welcome: Professor Scott Moeller, Founder of MARC, Bayes Business School
18:35 – Opening Remarks: Professor Andre Spicer, Executive Dean, Bayes Business School
18:40 – Fireside Chat: Ian Hart & Susan Kilsby, chaired by Professor Michel Driessen, Director of MARC, Bayes Business School
19:25 – Audience Q&A
19:40 – Closing Remarks
19:45 – Drinks Reception and Networking
20:45 – Event Close
Speakers & Chair
Ian Hart
Ian is the Chair of the Advisory Board of the M&A Research Centre at the Bayes Business School. He started his career in banking in 1990 at SG Warburg before moving to Citi / Schroders for 13 years, where he held several management roles including Co-Head of European M&A. Ian then spent seven years at Morgan Stanley before rejoining UBS (which had acquired Warburg) in 2016.
He returned to UBS in 2024 after three years as Director General of the UK Takeover Panel, where he was responsible for oversight of the Panel’s transaction case-work, development of Panel policy and practice as well as leading the management of the organisation. Ian is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has a 1st class degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University.
Susan Kilsby
Susan Kilsby is the Chair of Fortune Brands Innovations and Vice Chair, Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee at Unilever. She is also Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee at Diageo and a non-executive director of Cofra Holdings. Susan is a member of the Takeover Panel and brings to her roles extensive M&A and finance experience having enjoyed a distinguished global career in investment banking. She held senior positions with The First Boston Corporation, Bankers Trust, Barclays de Zoete Wedd and most recently Credit Suisse where she was Chairman of the EMEA Mergers & Acquisitions team until 2009 and a part-time senior advisor until 2014.
Professor Michel Driessen (Chair)
In addition to being Director of MARC, Michel is Chair of Queen’s Tower Advisory and on the board of UK Power Networks. A former Senior Partner in Strategy and Transactions at EY UKI, he has held senior executive roles at Accenture, Visa and Rabobank, and has authored multiple business books. He holds degrees from Radboud University Nijmegen (MA) and Bradford School of Management (MBA with distinction).
Professor Scott Moeller
Scott founded MARC following a 25-year career in management consulting and investment banking with Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank and Booz Allen Hamilton. He is widely published on dealmaking, including his 2023 book The Deal Paradox: Mergers and Acquisitions Success in the Age of Digital Transformation that he co-authored with Prof Driessen. He holds degrees from Yale College (BA), Yale Graduate School (MA) and Yale School of Management (MBA).
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