Deal Talk: Australian M&A podcast

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer

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.

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    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 interestHow the sector has changed in the years since the Royal CommissionASIC's enforcement focus and why regulatory pressure is an opportunity, not just a threatThe Shield and First Guardian situation and what it means for the broader ecosystemLegacy technology stacks and the opportunity for international buyers to add value; andThe differences in working with APRA and FIRB to get a deal over the lineImportant listening for private equity sponsors and strategic acquirers considering the Australian financial services sector.

    21 min

  2. May 26

    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.

    21 min

  3. May 26

    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.

    20 min

  4. May 20

    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 ratesdisclosure practices and timingengagement periodsprivate equity dynamicspre bid stakesrecent Takeovers Panel developmentsA practical discussion for boards, management teams and advisers preparing for, advising on or responding to a potential public M&A approach.

    29 min

  5. Apr 24

    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.

    18 min
  • 5 Episodes

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Deal Talk: Australian M&A podcast