
CMS London’s Alasdair Steele: Positivity and creative dealmaking to drive growth
Alasdair predicts a rise in European M&A activity despite geopolitical risks and valuation gaps.

Alasdair predicts a rise in European M&A activity despite geopolitical risks and valuation gaps.

Imogen dissects the critical challenges and competitive dynamics shaping the private equity landscape in Europe in 2025.

Alasdair predicts a rise in European M&A activity despite geopolitical risks and valuation gaps.

Javier explains while the cost of financing remains a challenge, a gradual decline in rates will better equip PE funds to carry out deals.

Javier explains while the cost of financing remains a challenge, a gradual decline in rates will better equip PE funds to carry out deals.

With nearly two decades of experience in dealmaking across Africa, Abimbola Ogundare has built a reputation as a dynamic leader in financial advisory and corporate finance.

With nearly two decades of experience in dealmaking across Africa, Abimbola Ogundare has built a reputation as a dynamic leader in financial advisory and corporate finance.

With over 14 years of experience, Akinola specializes in financial advisory assignments, including pre-deal support, buy-side and sellside due diligence, SPA support, reporting accounting, and restructuring services.

With over 14 years of experience, Akinola specializes in financial advisory assignments, including pre-deal support, buy-side and sellside due diligence, SPA support, reporting accounting, and restructuring services.

For over 25 years, Paul Bondi and Giles Douglas have been integral to deal-making across sub-Saharan Africa, navigating the region’s dynamic M&A landscape through cycles of economic boom and bust. As Managing Directors and Co-Heads of Global Advisory at Rothschild & Co South Africa, their careers have been shaped by diverse experiences—Paul, a Chartered Accountant, honed his skills at Fieldstone Private Capital before joining Rothschild & Co in 2006, while Giles, also a Chartered Accountant, started at Coopers & Lybrand in London before building a career in private equity and venture capital. Giles first joined Rothschild & Co in London in 1996 and returned to the South African operations in 2014, cementing a 28-year career in corporate finance.

For over 25 years, Paul Bondi and Giles Douglas have been integral to deal-making across sub-Saharan Africa, navigating the region’s dynamic M&A landscape through cycles of economic boom and bust. As Managing Directors and Co-Heads of Global Advisory at Rothschild & Co South Africa, their careers have been shaped by diverse experiences—Paul, a Chartered Accountant, honed his skills at Fieldstone Private Capital before joining Rothschild & Co in 2006, while Giles, also a Chartered Accountant, started at Coopers & Lybrand in London before building a career in private equity and venture capital. Giles first joined Rothschild & Co in London in 1996 and returned to the South African operations in 2014, cementing a 28-year career in corporate finance.

Holly predicts a strong year for M&A in 2025, driven by pent-up demand and increased private equity activity.

Katie shares her optimistic outlook on the Australian deal market in 2025 and her perspectives on cross-border M&A.

Holly predicts a strong year for M&A in 2025, driven by pent-up demand and increased private equity activity.

Katie shares her optimistic outlook on the Australian deal market in 2025 and her perspectives on cross-border M&A.