Dr. Mike J. Widmer

André Kudelski, Chairman and CEO of the Kudelski Group, Chairman of Innosuisse (the Swiss Federal Agency for Innovation), and Vice-Chairman of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce, shared his insights at our High Performance Boards session IMD. He discussed innovation, risk appetite, and entrepreneurial culture in today’s fast-moving business environment: Risk appetite and innovation: Zero-risk tolerance stifles innovation. Reinvention demands bold moves—fail fast, learn faster. The focus should be on aggregate returns, not the success of each individual project. In a changing world, you must be ready to take bets—and accept that you won’t always be right. Top-down vs. bottom-up: A purely top-down approach risks overlooking breakthrough ideas. Innovation thrives when bottom-up thinking is empowered—Switzerland offers a strong example. Cultural mindset and agility: The contrasting mindsets between Europe and the US shape how organizations respond to disruption. Europe often leads with a compliance-first approach, while the US prioritizes innovation—with accountability. Boards’ evolving role: Today’s boards must navigate complex stakeholder demands, fast-moving regulation, and constant disruption. In the US, boards often prioritize driving bold strategies, while in Europe, they more often first look to protect legacy. The key is balancing both goals effectively. “As a decision-maker, you must be the one to make the decisions. Do not let others choose for you. You should never rely on a single voice to decide what to do or not to do.” The responsibility is yours—and so is the opportunity. #IMDImpact #HighPerformanceBoards #Innovation #RiskManagement  

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We are proud to have advised The SPAR Group Ltd (JSE: SPP) on the sale of its entire shareholding in SPAR Switzerland to a Swiss family office.   This was one of the most complex and high-profile transactions in the Swiss retail sector in recent years, involving: • a network of more than 350 stores, 11 cash & carry outlets and one distribution centre, • a process beginning with a full strategic review for the SPAR Board, • a structured sell-side auction under regulatory and legacy challenges, • and ultimately, a clean transfer of ownership back into Swiss hands.   The transaction valued the business at CHF 46.5 million equity value, with the potential for an additional CHF 30 million earn-out. In recent years, SPAR Switzerland contributed approx. ZAR 16 billion (approx. EUR 800 million) to Group turnover, underlining the scale of this divestment.   The Group, which holds several SPAR country licences of the Dutch SPAR network, has been streamlining its international portfolio to maximise the return on capital allocated. The Swiss divestment follows last year’s sale of its Polish operations.   SPAR International is the world’s leading voluntary food retail chain and the largest independent supermarket retail network globally.   The transaction signed and closed on the same day, 8 September 2025 — a demonstration of precision M&A execution.   Congratulations to the deal team: Marcel Franzen, Irshaad Paruk, Sibonelo Mdluli, Tarryn Witten.   At Clairfield, we specialise in navigating complex, high-stakes transactions and delivering the best possible outcomes for our clients. Proud to have partnered with RMB - Rand Merchant Bank, our South African partner firm, on this landmark transaction for SPAR. Link to SPAR’s official announcement: https://lnkd.in/dZRF6KGB #DefinedByYourSuccess #retail #mergersandacquisitions #crossborder #precision #complexity

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🌍 New markets, new rules: Cultural differences can make or break your success when doing business internationally. 🤝 Business practices, communication styles, and expectations can vary significantly from one region to another. Knowing these cultural nuances helps reduce risk, build trust, and improve your chances of success. 💡 Our experts from the Swiss Business Hubs explain what Swiss and Liechtenstein companies need to keep in mind, with real-world examples from the field. 🎥 Watch now and get the insights 👇 Lauren Zoebelein Swiss Business Hub USA, Chinh Do Swiss Business Hub Southeast Asia + Pacific, Gabriela G. Swiss Business Hub Chile, Jon Arozamena Swiss Business Hub Spain, Michelle Adamo Swiss Business Hub Mexico, Daisy Yuanyuan Cao Swiss Business Hub China, Samiksha Sarna Swiss Business Hub India, Letícia de Sena Caritá Swiss Business Hub Brazil, Olga Teodorek Swiss Business Hub Central Europe, Larbi Elattari Swiss Business Hub Middle East

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Weil is thrilled to announce the upcoming arrival of a team of six leading lawyers who will significantly strengthen our private equity presence in Germany and substantially deepen our European private equity platform – some of Europe’s brightest private equity minds working collectively to advise on cross-border legal and commercial issues for the world’s biggest and most admired global private funds. Private equity dealmaker Sebastian Pauls – one of private capital’s most dynamic high-fliers – Susanne Decker and Dr. Andreas Holzgreve will be joining as partners; Dr. Julia Schöfer will be joining as counsel; and Dr. Manuel Schmutzler and Dr. Maximilian Kuchernig will be joining as associates. Sebastian will take over as Co-Managing Partner in Germany working alongside Britta Grauke. View more on Sebastian’s and Susanne’s achievements: https://lnkd.in/enuG9AgV View more on the expansion of this outstanding team: https://lnkd.in/ewAac8Dh

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Walder Wyss advised UBS Switzerland AG as mandated lead arranger, coordinator, agent and security agent in connection with a new syndicated credit facilities agreement for Brack.Alltron AG. Brack.Alltron AG is a leading Swiss online retailer for a vast range of technology and consumer goods, playing a pivotal role in Swiss digital commerce and supply logistics. The team included David Borer (Partner, Banking Finance), Valentin Freiermuth (Associate, Banking Finance), Bilva Abhyankar (Trainee, Banking Finance) and Maurus Winzap (Partner, Tax). https://lnkd.in/dE6iT8cp

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Lexology has released an updated edition of its “In-House View” on Swiss M&A, featuring revised contributions from Baker McKenzie Switzerland’s Alexander Blaeser, Fabienne Bretscher, Matthias Courvoisier, Joachim Frick and Markus Wolf. The publication includes comprehensive analyses of the following topics: ▶️ Special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), by Matthias Courvoisier ▶️ Distressed M&A, by Alexander Blaeser and Markus Wolf ▶️ Acquisition financing, by Markus Wolf ▶️ Legal remedies and pitfalls for sellers in pre-closing M&A disputes, by Fabienne Bretscher and Joachim G. Frick To read the insights, you can access the “In-House View” 2025 here: https://lnkd.in/gEkkwrTM Lexology’s “In-House View” on Swiss M&A provides a topical analysis of the legal framework, opportunities, challenges and risks associated with M&A transactions in Switzerland. The publication discusses key trends, legislative developments and additional factors influencing strategic decision-making. #BakerMcKenzie #BakerMcKenzieSwitzerland #TransactionalPowerhouse #MandA #Switzerland #Financing #Disputes

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