Merger Talks Podcast

In episode 2 of season 2, we spoke with Simon Bridges, Head of European Investment Banking at Canaccord Genuity. We discussed a variety of topics including...

• The current state of the Technology M&A sector
• How to successfully acquire and integrate a boutique M&A advisor into a larger banking platform
• How to originate and build relationships
• Golf. If you play, this is the episode for you

In episode 1 of season 2, we sat down with Aman Behzad the Founder of Royal Park Partners, a FinTech focused Investment Banking boutique.

In the episode, we discussed:

• The difference in pitching at a Bulge Bracket vs. a Boutique
• How to build your network as an Associate
• How to build long-term client relationships
• Why it is harder to predict whether an M&A transaction will close in 2026

We hope you enjoy the episode! 

In episode 11 of the Merger Talks Podcast, we spoke to Robert Young, the founder of Avero Advisory. Robert launched the business at the end of 2025 after being a Managing Director in Alantra's Technology M&A team.

In the episode we talk about:

• Current trends in the Technology sector and the impacts of AI
• What it has been like setting up a new M&A boutique and how he is looking to do things differently
• How to test for grit in junior bankers

We hope you enjoy! 

In Episode 10, we spoke with Martim Villas-Boas, founder of Pairwire, an AI powered due diligence platform for the Investment Banking market.

• We talk about AI; what is it and how it can be used to make the deal making process more efficient
• Why 70% of M&A deals fail during due diligence and how can AI improve that number? 
• We break down what AI products are available today 
• The dangers of AI and how they can be avoided
• Whether AI will replace Investment Banking Analysts

If you are looking to implement AI or learn more about it, this is the episode for you.

We hope you enjoy! 

Episode 9 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live!

We spoke with William D. Cohan, the award-winning financial journalist and bestselling author of The Last Tycoons.

A former Investment Banker himself, he’s known for combining insider access with clear, engaging storytelling that makes complex financial worlds understandable; and fascinating.

In the episode, we talk about:

• The history of Wall Street
• How deregulation reshaped Investment Banking in the 1980s and 1990s
• Consolidation on Wall Street
• The dangers of Private Credit

If you are fascinated by Wall Street and it's history, this is the episode for you! 

Episode 8 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live!

We sat down with Vitoria Okuyama, who went from playing professional tennis, and being ranked 118th in the world, to working as an Investment Banking Analyst at Citi. 

After 3 months of consecutive 4am finishes, Vitoria experienced burnout which eventually led to her leaving Wall Street. 

In this episode we talk about burnout; how it manifests itself, how to recognise it, and also potential solutions to the problem. 

Episode 7 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live!

We sat down with Tom Lindsay, CEO of Spayne Lindsay. Tom co-founded the firm, a Consumer focused M&A boutique, in 2004 alongside his business partner, John Spayne. Prior to setting up the firm they had both been Consumer bankers at Lehman Brothers. 

We covered a variety of topics including: 

• The differences between the Investment Banking business model in Europe and the US.
• How to set up an M&A boutique for succession.
• Why Private Equity is less active in the consumer market today.

Episode 6 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live!

We sat down with James West, Managing Director at Bourne Partners and former Managing Director at Lincoln International. James has worked in Investment Banking for 15 years after completing a degree in Pharmacy. He specialises in advising clients in the Life Sciences and Pharma Services industry. 

We covered a variety of topics including: 

- The secret to a successful pitch. 
- What is it like working in New York compared to London. 
- What is happening in the Pharma Services industry.
- Tips to successfully run 16.5 marathons! 

Episode 5 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live!

We sat down with Yusuf Subzposh, Vice President of Arcesium, a hedge fund backed FinTech. Prior to joining his latest role in Corporate Development, he worked at various Investment Banks including Jefferies, Pharus and Nomura.

We covered a variety of topics including: 

- How does PE and Corporate Development compare to Investment Banking?

- Will AI replace Investment Banking Analysts?

- Does Dubai live up to the hype?

- The most common mistakes made during technical interviews

We hope you enjoy the episode!

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 4 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live!

We sat down with Michel Lowy, co-founder of SC Lowy, a $1.3bn Hong Kong based Private Credit fund.

We covered a variety of topics including:

• Why M&A and IPO market slowdowns are fuelling private credit deals?
• How he set up his own credit fund and the challenges he faced.
• Investor mindset. What is it and what does good look like?
• The differences between a career in PE and Private Credit.

We hope you enjoy the episode!