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IPO Masterclass

days to go
30-03-2021
Virtual classroom
An interactive online series of workshops to facilitate and educate company representatives considering a listing on public markets
Course objectives
This masterclass has been devised to provide company representatives with the knowledge and understanding of how best to bring their company to the public markets to support growth.
The course objectives include:
- Developing the different skill sets and understanding to equip the company for future growth including valuation and financial analysis, risk management and listed company corporate governance.
- Setting up the financial disclosures and governance procedures needed to become a well-run public enterprise.
- Refining the business model and long-term competitive advantage needed to attract long-term investors to the company.
- Managing the transition from a private company or SME to a large or publicly listed company.
- Preparing company representatives with an understanding of life as a public company for them to assume the right approach to stakeholder engagement.
Key take-aways and outcomes
This series of digital workshops, organised by LSEG Academy and in collaboration with leading City experts, will provide delegates with a clear understanding of what it takes to list a company successfully on the UK equity markets.
The course will actively engage participants and help manage the transition from private company or SME to large of public entity with a clear view on valuation and financial analysis, governance and risk management. Guidance will also be provided on how best to communicate the company’s long-term competitive advantage and strategy to the markets.
The contents of this training will also be useful for delegates actively considering publicly raising finance for the first time or completing large public transactions.
Target audience
The programme has been designed to appeal to the following professionals:
- Private company Board Directors, Business Owners and Entrepreneurs,
- C-suite Executive teams and Senior Managers,
- Aspiring and new NEDs.
These training sessions are targeted at business directors, business owners, entrepreneurs and senior management who are actively considering a “listing” within the life cycle of a growing company.
The training will be delivered as a series of tailored workshop sessions over a six-week period. Tasks will be set throughout the training in order that delegates can track their progress and be awarded a certificate for completing the programme. Our goal for this programme is to create the right environment for an IPO or large successful fundraising within a business as well as increasing the impact and likelihood of success of that transaction.

Programme Agenda
Day 1
26 February 2021
Introduction to Equity Markets: What it means to have a listing and the listing process
9.15 Registration and introduction to the workshops
9.30 What every company should know when considering a listing Claire Dorrian, LSEG UK Equity Primary Markets
- Understanding the players and capital market expectations
- Understanding how a listing will change your lives
Discussion: Which areas are going to be key in terms of preparing your company’s approach to listing?
10.30 Break
10.45 The Listing Process and what it means for companies - with guest speakers drawn from:
Claire Dorrian, LSEG – a practical view of the latest IPO trends and developments, and how companies are responding to increasing stakeholder expectations.
Bobby Morse, Buchanan – what it means for smaller growth companies, with insights drawn from a recently listed company.
11.45 Break
12.00 IPO opportunities – assessing the listing potential for your company – Bobby Morse, Buchanan Communications
- Assessing the bigger picture in terms of timings and increasing the likelihood of success
13.00 Day 1 Workshop close
Day 2
5 March 2021
Company Valuation Techniques and Analysis Metrics
9.15 Introduction to Day 2 and review of previous workshop
9.30 What pre-IPO companies need to know about Company Valuation and Analysis – Mike Thornton, Grant Thornton Valuations
- Understanding Financial Statements
- Understanding the key metrics and their implications for various markets and sectors
Discussion: Which approach matters most to your industry / company?
10.30 Break
10.45 A case study based practical session to put into practice learnings from session 1:
- Profit and Loss based metrics
- Balance Sheet based metrics
- Cashflow based metrics
Discussion of findings
11.45 Break
12.00 A Day in the Life of an Equity Analyst:
Kean Marden, Jefferies – Small Cap Specialist reviewing their day to day work-scope, how they interact with private and public companies and their views on recent listings, metrics and multiples.
Discussion of findings
13.00 Day 2 Workshop close
Day 3
12 March 2021
Rules, Regulations & Market Behaviours
9.15 Introduction to Day 3 and review of previous workshops
9.30 What every company needs to know about the Listing rules and the Regulatory frameworks – Adrian West, Travers Smith
- Understanding the UK regulatory framework
- Understanding the Listing Rules
- Understanding the Disclosure and Transparency Rules
10.30 Break
10.45 Getting the paperwork and timing right - with guest speakers drawn from:
Adrian West, Travers Smith
Jamie Barklem, Grant Thornton
11.45 Break
12.00 The role of the NOMAD and Broker: insights from recent Capital market developments – Philip Secrett, Grant Thornton
- The IPO timeline
- The Prospectus and Accounts
- Recent capital market developments
- Case studies
13.00 Day 3 Workshop close
Day 4
19 March 2021
Corporate Governance in the UK for listed companies
9.15 Introduction to Day 4 and review of previous workshops
9.30 What pre-IPO companies need to consider in deriving their governance frameworks - Tim Ward, Quoted Companies Alliance
- The Essentials Five Pillars
- Understanding the investor’s view
Discussion: Which aspect of governance will be most challenging for your company?
10.30 Break
10.45 The Governance agenda and what it means for pre-IPO companies both small and larger - with guest speakers drawn from:
Tim Ward, Quoted Companies Alliance
Maureen Beresford, The Financial Reporting Council
11.45 Break
12.00 Governance 2020 – Update from the Regulator - Corporate Governance and Stewardship – Maureen Beresford, The Financial Reporting Council
The changing landscape and the growing role of ARGA
- Understanding the latest governance and reporting developments
- Accounting and auditing
13.00 Day 4 Workshop close
Day 5
25 March 2021
Investor Relations from function to strategy
9.15 Introduction to Day 5 and review of previous workshops
9.30 What every company needs to know about starting an IR function. Stuart Morgan, Capita
- Understanding the world of IR
- Setting up and running an effective IR function
10.30 Break
10.45 The IR agenda and what it means for smaller and larger international companies - with guest speakers drawn from:
Stuart Morgan, Capita
Alison Allfrey, Montfort Communications
11.45 Break
12.00 The IR Strategy and Work-Plan:
Workshop session to start to prepare an IR strategy and workplan: Alison Allfrey, Montfort Communications
13.00 Day 5 Workshop close
Day 6
30 March 2021
Communicating and Engaging with Public Markets
9.15 Introduction to Day 6 and review of previous workshops
9.30 Reporting to the market: A practical view of the latest reporting trends and developments, and how boards are responding to increasing stakeholder expectations. Jenni Fulton, Emperor
- Corporate Reporting update; Guidelines and Guidance
- Case studies and practical lessons
10.30 Break
10.45 The Corporate Reporting agenda and what it means for companies today - with guest speakers drawn from:
Jenni Fulton, Emperor
Alice Hunt, Algeco
11.45 Break
12.00 How companies are responding to increasing stakeholder expectations - Alice Hunt, Algeco
- Managing your Corporate Reputation
- Best Practice developments in Corporate Affairs
13.00 Day 6 Workshop close
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Email address: academy_uk@lseg.com