The M&A Forum

From 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., during the lunch discussion:

National Bank's Acquisition of Canadian Western Bank

Keynote Speaker: Mark Denham, Executive Vice-President and Vice-Chair, National Bank of Canada

During the M&A Forum luncheon, we will have the privilege of welcoming Mark Denham, who, alongside members of his team, will share insights into National Bank's acquisition of Canadian Western Bank.

This landmark transaction, which significantly strengthened National Bank's presence in Western Canada, offers a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of a major deal.

From strategic vision to execution challenges, this keynote address will provide an insider's perspective on the key considerations, decisions, and lessons learned from a transaction that helped reshape Canada's banking landscape.

Transaction structuring, cross-border issues, stakeholder coordination and the challenges that arise before closing will be at the heart of the conversation.

Participants will also be able to share their own experiences and discuss the specific realities of international transactions.

How can long-term incentive mechanisms be used to align the interests of executives, key employees, shareholders and investors before and after a transaction?

The discussion will cover equity, phantom shares, talent retention and post-transaction value creation. Participants will compare different approaches and consider which mechanisms are best suited to the company's and the transaction's specific context.

Speaker: Miguel Yargeau, Partner, Solertia

Acquisitions are rarely won at signing. Their success depends on the ability to mobilize leaders, integrate cultures, retain talent and achieve the expected synergies. Through examples, insights and discussion, this workshop will explore best practices to consider before, during and after a transaction.

Speakers:

• Caroline Ménard, President and Partner, Brio Management

• Alexandra Corbeil, Partner, Brio Management

A target company may present strong financial statements while concealing a major risk: a team that is overly dependent on a handful of key individuals, unprepared for AI, or vulnerable to the transaction itself. Conversely, a workforce already equipped with AI skills becomes a valuable selling point for a seller preparing an exit and a key driver of the buyer’s value creation plan.

This workshop explores two key questions: how to assess a target company’s human capital risks before closing, and how AI is changing both what needs to be evaluated and how that evaluation is conducted.

Drawing on a real human capital due diligence engagement conducted on behalf of an acquirer, the speakers will present their methodology before inviting participants to share and compare their own experiences. Attendees will leave with a practical, ready-to-use human capital due diligence checklist.

Speakers:

• Dominic Lévesque, Co-Founder & CEO, NexWav

• William Plamondon, Co-Founder & Chairman of the Board, NexWav

How can M&A transactions and private equity offer complementary solutions for entrepreneurs preparing the transfer or succession of their business?

This round table will bring together different perspectives to compare approaches, better understand their respective advantages and examine the factors that can influence the choice of structure or partner.

Speaker: Angelo Noce, Partner, Blakes
Moderator: Judy Murphy, Program Director, M&A Club

A transaction isn't decided in the negotiating room alone.

This conversation will cover internal and external communications, managing confidentiality, announcing the deal to employees, coordination between buyer and seller, and the media and reputational issues tied to integration.

Using real-world situations, speakers and participants will discuss best practices, risks to anticipate and the decisions that can influence how a transaction is perceived and how successful it is.

Presented by: TACT Conseil

As AI and technological disruption rapidly reshape markets, business models, and cost structures, this workshop will offer a practical discussion on how to factor these risks into the valuation of an acquisition. How can you identify businesses that are most exposed? What investments should be anticipated following the transaction? And most importantly, how can these considerations be incorporated into the valuation and deal structure today to protect value over the medium term?

Presenter: Louis Roy, Deputy Senior Director, Business Transfers, Desjardins

The day will close with a grand networking cocktail at Espace CDPQ. It will be an opportunity to bring together all participants, speakers and partners to continue the conversations, build new business relationships and look back on the key takeaways of this 21st edition in a friendly atmosphere.