We aim to make sure that clients have all the relevant facts at their disposal when in a hostile bid situation, identifying weaknesses in potential acquirers' or targets' arguments. Our critique is directed at the factors influencing the decisions of stakeholders and regulators. Issues may include the track record and credibility of key executives, corporate governance, incidents of questionable propriety, matters of integrity, or environmental and other regulatory issues. We can also gather objective intelligence on the views of key stakeholders as well as advise on information security.

Examples include:

• Listed companies who, on being targeted by activist shareholders, require information on the background, motivation, intentions and likely tactics being employed by the other side

• Activist shareholders or private equity providers planning a public-to-private transaction who need to gather a dossier of information on the performance of the key members of a listed company’s management team

• Any party involved in a hostile takeover who suspects wrongdoing on the part of the other side and needs the evidence to identify the wrongdoing and protect against it