EY reports strong demand for M&A activity

EY reports strong demand for M&A activity
Global mergers and acquisitions activity is set to remain strong this year according to a new study from EY. Half of its survey’s respondents plan M&A in the next 12 months and 40 per cent intend to form alliances.
The Global Capital Confidence Barometer polled more than 1,700 executives in 45 countries and also revealed that 28 per cent are expecting unsolicited bids in the next 12 months. Bigger deals are also anticipated as companies make bolder moves.
The sectors with the highest acquisition appetite: oil and gas; consumer products and retail; power and utilities; diversified industrial products; and life sciences.
Almost three quarters of respondents are considering cross-border transactions but global economic and regulatory issues are top of the list of concerns.
 
Largest ever internal promotions at Stephenson Harwood
International firm Stephenson Harwood has promoted 9 lawyers to its partnership, the largest internal promotion round in the firm’s history. The new partners include two from Asia-Pacific.
The new global partners in Asia-Pac are IPO & capital markets lawyer Anthony Chan and maritime law specialist Roy Chan. In addition, Evangeline Quek becomes a local partner in the Hong Kong office’s marine and international trade practice.
 
Investment funds work brings recognition for Harneys
Offshore specialist law firm Harneys’ Asia practice has won Best Offshore Law Firm for Hedge Funds at the second annual Hedge Fund China Summit in Shanghai. The Hong Kong-based office has also recently won Best Offshore Law Firm - Client Service at the HFM European Hedge Fund Services Awards in London.
 
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After 27 years of waiting, the families of 96 football fans who died at the Hillsborough football stadium in Sheffield have been given some justice. An inquest heard that the victims were unlawfully killed; and that previous claims by police and media that the disaster was caused by fans described as “drunken yobs” were lies. A police commander was found to be responsible for manslaughter by gross negligence. Almost 20 law firms were involved in the process, led by Birnberg Pierce and Partners. A criminal investigation is now underway.