Conference programme

As regulatory and policy developments signal a potential retreat from DEI initiatives, this panel will examine the evolving expectations set by regulators and how these may adapt to shifting political and economic landscapes. Our discussion will explore the current DEI regulatory landscape, the challenges regulators face in promoting DEI standards, and the broader implications of regulatory shifts for businesses. The discussion will focus on the mechanisms regulators use to drive accountability—whether through guidance, thematic reviews or enforcement—and how these approaches influence corporate culture and inclusion efforts. The panelists will share their insights on global case studies and industry-led initiatives and how businesses can navigate regulatory expectations while fostering meaningful DEI progress.

While international IPOs numbers remain below average, secondary sales of existing public companies have experienced robust growth in recent years thanks to favorable market conditions, particularly in Europe. Secondary sales by pre-IPO investors, though, can take a number of different forms and sizes, including underwritten sales, accelerated book builds, open market sales (including pursuant to pre-determined plans) and issuer buybacks, dictated by, among other things, listing venue requirements, trading volume and investor preference. This panel will discuss the various factors and considerations impacting the largest equity markets and potential regulatory and market developments that may drive future activity and listing venue choices.