Back-to-back meetings, tight deadlines and important projects can make working in finance or law feel like running a marathon. With little time left in the day, it’s tempting to put business events on the back burner – but there are benefits to breaking your usual routine.
Summits, for example, give busy professionals a chance to learn about upcoming regulatory changes, catch up on industry trends and connect with peers in a collaborative atmosphere. Recently, we sponsored the Legal 500 Corporate and M&A Summit 2025, which brought some of the brightest minds in mergers and acquisitions together on the 5th of March at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London.
The agenda was packed with engaging panels covering key industry challenges, including the evolving role of warranty and indemnity Insurance, private capital trends, AI’s impact on due diligence, and shifting regulatory landscapes. Throughout the day, industry leaders took to the stage to share their perspectives on mitigating risk, adapting to change, and ensuring transactions run smoothly in an increasingly complex market.
During the event, we caught up with Kate Eades, Head of Corporate Deals and Structuring at KPMG Law, who spoke with us about her take on the current deal-making environment.
“We were thrilled to act as headline sponsor of The Legal 500 Corporate M&A Summit, and I was honored to personally open the proceedings on what was an engaging and valuable day filled with important insights from experienced deal-doers,” she said. “A key takeaway was the emphasis on agility and resilience in deal-making, especially in the face of geopolitical and market volatility and technological advancements through AI. I enjoyed the overall mood of positivity and excitement in the room with a general willingness to embrace change.”
Mitigating risk through discussion
As part of the summit, we hosted a panel discussion about mitigating risk in unstable times, and how alternative banking and payment solutions can help drive M&A success.
Moderated by Georgina Stanley, Editorial Director of Legal 500 and Legal Business, the session brought together four leading experts: Daniel Dunne (Head of Legal Services, Interpolitan Money), Di Yu (M&A Partner, White & Case), Kim Pons (Head of Corporate and Commercial, Britton & Time Solicitors) and James Lyons (Corporate Lawyer, Lawrence Stephens).
Panelists spoke about some of the biggest risks currently affecting M&A transactions and how they’ve evolved over the past 12–18 months, plus the growing role of technology in streamlining transactions and enhancing risk-mitigation strategies.
During the discussion, Daniel reflected on the increasing complexity of deal-making.
“M&A transactions are becoming much more complicated, with cross-border and multi-currency considerations adding new layers of challenge,” he explained. “The need for secure and transparent payment solutions has never been greater. I believe early engagement and strong relationships that foster trust, and open communication will continue to be the driving force behind efficiency in high-value transactions.”
As the day progressed, emerging themes began to take shape. The summit wrapped up with lively networking over drinks and canapés-an opportunity for delegates to continue the conversation, exchange ideas, and build new connections.
We reconnected with Georgina Stanley a few days after the event.
“With so much economic and regulatory uncertainty affecting the M&A markets and AI changing the way deals are done, we had a full house at the M&A summit last week, with in-house lawyers and partners all keen to pick up new ideas,” she said. “Anything that can reduce transactional risk can only be a good thing, which is why there was so much interest in sessions covering topics like payments and escrow services and W&I Insurance.”
Why escrow matters in M&A
With deal security top of mind for investors and advisors, escrow services remain a crucial tool for managing risk. As the M&A landscape evolves, we support industry professionals with solutions that enhance transaction security, efficiency and success.
"Alternative banking solutions are a reliable way to ensure seamless, secure and timely settlements," explains Dan. "Interpolitan Money leads the charge in this space, helping law firms and businesses navigate these challenges with tailored payment and escrow solutions."
In an environment where deals sometimes falter due to payment delays, regulatory uncertainty or trust breakdowns, escrow is no longer a "nice to have" – it’s essential. Interpolitan Money’s secure, multi-currency escrow services help law firms and their clients de-risk transactions, ensure compliance and accelerate deal closure, all while keeping funds secure and neutral.
If you’re a law firm or corporate advisor navigating high-stakes M&A transactions, speak with our escrow team to learn how our services could support your business or clients. Book a call today.
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