15
Oct
Australia M&A outlook: Relighting the fire
An increase in dealmaking is expected in Australia as investor confidence grows and focus switches to segments of the market that are predicted to perform, and value can be found in energy transition, resources, technology, and industrials, among others. Corporates are more active in terms of portfolio rationalisation, and although dealmakers are gaining comfort in a world of instability and a tough economic environment, we are seeing more due diligence and higher hurdles for completion. Our panel of M&A experts will discuss dealmaking in the year ahead, as well as offer their top tips to navigate uncertain waters.
- Have dealmakers seen a shift in opportunities and the types of deal they have been working on?
- Why are deals not completing, and what can be done to manage these risks?
- How are pre-M&A exclusivity rights impacting dealmakers, and what are the pros and cons?
- How will the market fare in 2025 against a backdrop of macro-economic and political uncertainty?
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SpeakersRachael Bassil Partner GILBERT + TOBIN
Marissa Freund Managing Director, Head of Mergers & Acquisitions, Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) GOLDMAN SACHS
Emma-Jane Newton Head of Investment Banking Coverage and Advisory – Australia and New Zealand DEUTSCHE BANK
Justin Negrin Head of M&A ORIGIN ENERGY
Aidan Allen Co-CEO JARDEN INVESTMENT BANKING
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Rachael Bassil is a partner in Gilbert + Tobin’s Corporate Advisory team, specialising in mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets, and providing advice on securities law and listing rules. She works with listed companies, corporates and private equity sponsors on acquisitions, exits and transformational M&A. Rachael works closely with private equity sponsors throughout every stage of their investments including private acquisitions, partnering with founders, public to privates (by way of scheme or takeover), bolt-on acquisitions and exits including managing auction processes and IPOs. With a broad and diverse deal portfolio, Rachael is often at the forefront of the market’s most significant transactions.
Marissa is head of the Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) business in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). Previously, she was chief operating officer of M&A in ANZ, a role she assumed in 2016. She joined Goldman Sachs in 2015 as an executive director on the M&A team and was named managing director in 2019.
Prior to joining the firm, Marissa worked at UBS in the M&A and General Industrials teams from 2005 to 2014. Earlier in her career, she was a solicitor at the law firm King & Wood Mallesons. Marissa is a sitting member of the Australian Takeovers Panel. Marissa earned a Bachelor of Commerce (with merit) and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New South Wales.
Emma-Jane leads the Investment Banking Coverage and Advisory business for Deutsche Bank in Australia and New Zealand.
Emma-Jane’s career spans over 20 years, having held roles across Australia, New York and London, advising corporate and private capital clients on mergers, acquisitions and financings.
Prior to joining Deutsche Bank in 2024, she was a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse in their Investment Banking Divisions. She also led Corporate Development and was a Divisional CFO at Telstra.
Emma-Jane is a member of the Australian Government's Takeovers Panel and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons). She is Chair of the Sydney Dance Company, a major performing arts company.
Justin Negrin is Head of M&A at Origin Energy.
Mr Negrin has over 20 years of mergers & acquisitions experience.
Prior to joining Origin in 2020, he was Managing Director and Head of M&A at Deutsche Bank Australia & NZ, where he worked in M&A for approximately 13 years.
Earlier in his career he worked as a valuation specialist at PwC and in the Corporate Strategy / M&A team at Mattel, Inc.
Mr Negrin holds a Bachelor of Business and a Bachelor of Laws from UTS, Sydney, and an MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA.
Aidan Allen joined Jarden in 2020 following leadership roles at Citigroup and UBS. Aidan is recognised as one of the leading bankers in the Australian market with 25 years of transaction experience and a trusted advisor to ASX50 companies and private equity firms.