This 1 day interactive workshop included debate, discussion and applied sessions, led by expert practitioners and guided by a leading industry authority. The purpose was to prepare you for an incoming bid (whether agreed or hostile), an outgoing target bid, or an internal merger within your own group.

The workshop was split into two parts – getting it right before a deal, and after a deal and will help you understand the following areas:

1. Before a partner is identified
2. Due diligence
3. HR and communications during the announcement
4. The first 100 days
5. Establishing the Employer Brand of the merged organisation

Chaired by:

Leslie Moss, Practice Leader, Aon Hewitt

Leslie Moss is Practice Leader for Aon Hewitt’s UK and Ireland Reward and Engagement practice and is based in Aon Hewitt’s main London office. He has an extensive background in HR consulting, ranging from broad-based and executive reward to performance management, competencies and HR strategy. Between 2003 and 2007 he led the UK and Ireland Executive Remuneration practice for Hewitt Associates.

Speakers included:

• Lisa Gelpey, UK Policy, Benefit and Services Manager, Shell
• Maggie Saunders, Advisor, Consulting Coordinates Ltd 
• Mark Mansell, Partner – Employment, Allen & Overy
• Emilia Stoytcheva, M&A Lead, HR, Nokia Siemens Networks
• Leslie Nielson, Senior Consultant, Aon Hewit
• Giovanni Amodeo, Global Editor in Chief, MergerMarket

Why you should attend?

• You will bring one of your toughest internal restructuring or merger challenges – one that has real stakes for you, the business and its people – and walk away with a solution that will enable you to generate progress
• You will learn how to prepare your company for the news of an incoming bid
• You will secure the techniques and best practices needed to effectively communicate information regarding an external target you may be bidding on
• You will gain insight into overcoming the cultural integration challenge, which often undermines the deal

What are your benefits?

• The skills needed and leadership actions to take, in order to deliver the message to your employees, oversee the M&A process ahead of it becoming real, and the knowledge of the pressures your organisation is under - making you a vital cog in the restructuring stages of a takeover or merger

Who you will meet:

Directors, VPs, Heads and Specialists of:

• M&As
• Human Resources
• Internal Communications
• Leadership
• Change Management
• Operational Efficiency

Workshop Agenda

18th September 2012, Hilton Canary Wharf, London

09:00 Registration and refreshments

09:30 Chairman’s opening address
Leslie Moss, Practice Leader, Aon Hewitt

10:00 Current trends and overview: how to predict if your company will subject to M&A activity
Giovanni Amodeo, Global Editor in Chief, MergerMarket

10:30 What are the employment laws you need to be aware of?
Mark Mansell, Partner – Employment, Allen & Overy

11:00 Morning coffee and networking

11:15 Key due diligence
Lisa Gelpey, UK Policy, Benefit and Services Manager, Shell

11:45 Roundtable discussions: Aligning pensions, rewards and benefits, before a takeover

12:15 Group work and discussions based on morning’s topics
Facilitated by: Aon Hewitt

13:00 Networking lunch

14:00 Transition on how the deal is completed
Maggie Saunders, Advisor, Consulting Coordinates Ltd 

14:30 Managing cultural integration
Emilia Stoytcheva, M&A Lead, HR, Nokia Siemens Networks

15:00 Afternoon tea and networking

15:15 Group work and discussions based on afternoon’s topics
Facilitated by: Aon Hewitt

15:45 Closing address: Themes and lessons from the U.S.
Leslie Nielson, Senior Consultant, Aon Hewitt

16:15 Chairman’s closing remarks and end of workshop