The Lens on Corporate Markets

In this episode, MUFG Corporate Markets' Josh Sparks is joined by Oliver Cronk, Technology Director at bespoke software engineering consultancy, Scott Logic to discuss the practical realities of implementing AI in highly regulated markets.  From spending analysis, chatbots, to the risks of AI - this conversation cuts through the AI hype to focus on real-world applications, governance challenges, and lessons learned from past technology cycles. If you'd like to find out more about Scott Logic, please visit https://www.scottlogic.com/ You can also find out more about Oliver's 'cone of uncertainty' and connect with him on LinkedIn by visiting - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/navigating-cone-ai-uncertainty-oliver-cronk-mfvoe/

In this episode, MUFG Corporate Markets’ Josh Sparks catches up with David Chase Lopes from D.F. King Ltd. David takes us through what trends his team have been seeing across the M&A Landscape, the increase in shareholder activism as well as providing some key insights around Corporate Activity in 2025. If you’d like to connect with David on LinkedIn, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidchaselopes/ You can also learn more about D.F. King Ltd. by visiting https://www.mpms.mufg.com/en/mufg-corporate-markets/uk/services/proxy-solicitation/

In this episode, MUFG Corporate Markets’ Josh Sparks, catches up with Bod Buckby, Head of UK Primary Markets North, at London Stock Exchange. Bod take us through market trends his team have been seeing this year, as well as providing some key insights around IPO activity ahead of this year’s IPO Forum, which is London Stock Exchange’s flagship event intended to assist management teams and shareholders of UK and international private companies considering a possible IPO in London. If you’d like to find out more about the upcoming IPO Forum, please visit - https://www.lsegissuerservices.com/spark/mud3XYH76p97jtZeSnyWT9/london-stock-exchange-s-ipo-forum-november-2024 You can also connect with Bod on LinkedIn at - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bodbuckby/

In this episode, Link Group’s Josh Sparks, Head of Partnerships and Intermediaries, catches up with Simon Olsen, Partner at Deloitte. Simon and his team recently published a report called ‘Resetting Expectations’, which provides a deep-dive into IPO market trends for 2024 and beyond. This conversation was an opportunity for Simon take us through what his team have been seeing across the market, some key findings from their report, and much more.If you’d like to download Deloitte’s recent publication – please go to  https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/pages/financial-advisory/articles/equity-capital-markets-update.htmlYou can also connect with Simon on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-olsen-582aa74/

Share plans are one of the most celebrated ways for companies to reward their top talent and retain staff. In this episode, Link Group’s very own Jake Dear sits down with Andy Martin, Group Share Plan Manager at Admiral Group plc. Andy and his team won the award for Best Overall Performance in Fostering Employee Share Ownership at the 2023 ProShare Awards, so this was an opportunity for him to share some insights around how share plans can help companies and their employees achieve positive outcomes. If you’d like to find out more about Admiral Group plc, please visit https://admiralgroup.co.uk/ And if you’d like to find out how the team at Link Group can support you and your employees, please visit https://www.linkgroup.eu/services/services/share-plans/

In this episode, Link Group’s very own Steve Playford sits down with Maureen Beresford, who leads the Corporate Governance and Stewardship Team at the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), and Karen Waldron from Company Matters, to talk us through the recently-published 2024 UK Corporate Governance Code, and what this means for issuer companies and practitioners.If you’d like to find out about the FRC and the 2024 UK Corporate Governance Code, go to www.frc.org.ukYou can also learn more about Company Matters, Link Group’s company secretarial and governance experts, by visiting https://www.companymatters.co.uk/ Finally, if you’d like to learn more about our Ahead community for corporate governance professionals, you can sign up to this free programme at https://www.companymatters.co.uk/ahead/