Key Takeaways
- Format: Guest lecture as part of the CBS Guest Lecture Series
- Speaker: Dr. Björn Röper
- Position: Founder and Partner
- Company: BELGRAVIA & CO
- Industry: M&A Financial Advisory and strategy consulting in the mid-market
- Focus topics: M&A transactions, company valuations and strategic transaction advisory
- Practical insight: Valuation methods such as Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Multiples and Due Diligence processes
- Career perspectives: André Lauschke, Associate at BELGRAVIA & CO. and CBS alumnus, shared insights into career paths in M&A consulting
- Practical relevance: The lecture demonstrates how real corporate practice is systematically integrated into the business programmes at CBS.
Learning from Experts in M&A Advisory
As part of the CBS Guest Lecture Series, CBS welcomed Dr. Björn Röper, Founder and Partner of the M&A advisory firm BELGRAVIA & CO. During his presentation, students gained practical insights into the world of Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) and the strategic and financial advisory processes involved in corporate transactions.
The lecture focused particularly on mid-market transactions. Dr. Röper explained how M&A projects are structured and which steps are required to guide companies successfully through buy-side and sell-side transaction processes.
Insights at the intersection of theory, technology, and entrepreneurial practice are a key component of the NXT GEN study model at CBS. By combining theory-driven teaching with practice-oriented impulses from business and society, the programme prepares students to tackle complex business challenges, especially those that are increasingly relevant for the future of the German Mittelstand.
M&A Advisory: Structured Processes and Strategic Decisions
A central topic of the lecture was the complexity of M&A transactions. Dr. Röper highlighted that successful transactions require not only strong technical expertise but also a deep understanding of the strategic objectives of the companies involved.
Key elements of transaction advisory include:
- Financial analysis and company valuation
- Valuation methods such as Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) and Multiples
- Transaction structuring
- Conducting comprehensive Due Diligence processes
An important success factor in advisory work is not only technical competence but also the trust relationship between advisors and clients.
One memorable quote from the lecture illustrated this approach:
The goal is to generate at least 5 to 6 times the advisory fee in purchase price value for the client.
This principle highlights the core objective of advisory services: creating measurable value for clients and structuring transactions strategically.
BELGRAVIA & CO.: Advisory for Entrepreneurs and Family Businesses
BELGRAVIA & CO. is a specialised M&A advisory firm focusing on mid-market transactions. The firm supports family-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and corporates on both the sell-side and buy-side of transactions.
Its services include:
- Strategic transaction advisory
- Structuring company acquisitions and sales
- Company valuations
- Coordination of complex Due Diligence processes
For students, the lecture offered a realistic insight into the work of M&A advisors and the dynamics involved in corporate transactions.
Career Paths in M&A Consulting
Begleitet wurde Dr. Röper von André Lauschke, Associate bei BELGRAVIA & CO. und CBS-Alumnus. Er berichtete über seinen persönlichen Karriereweg in die M&A-Beratung und zeigte auf, welche Kompetenzen in diesem anspruchsvollen Berufsfeld besonders wichtig sind.
Dr. Röper was accompanied by André Lauschke, Associate at BELGRAVIA & CO. and CBS alumnus. He shared insights into his personal career path into M&A advisory and explained which skills are particularly important in this demanding professional field.
For students, this perspective was especially valuable. They not only gained insights into the daily work in strategy and M&A consulting, but also learned how career paths in this industry can develop after graduation.
Real-world business experience integrated into the curriculum
The guest lecture with BELGRAVIA & CO is a strong example of the practice-oriented learning concept at CBS.
In our business programmes, the connection to real-world business practice is systematically embedded through:
- Business Projects addressing real strategic and operational challenges from partner companies
- Regular guest lectures by executives and industry experts
- Conventions providing space for interdisciplinary learning and practice-oriented leadership experiences
- Case studies and simulation games addressing typical business challenges
- Mandatory internships for applying academic knowledge in a corporate context
- Dual study formats with continuous integration into company structures
- A network of more than 1,300 partner companies across various industries
This structured integration enables students not only to analyze economic challenges but also to develop well-founded decisions under real market conditions.
With initiatives like this, CBS reinforces its commitment to closely linking business and academia and preparing students specifically for leadership roles in a globalized and sustainability-oriented economy.
Conclusion: Understanding M&A Through Real-World Insights
The guest lecture by Dr. Björn Röper demonstrated how complex M&A transactions are structured and executed in practice.
For students, the session provided not only insights into valuation methods and transaction processes, but also a realistic understanding of the work involved in strategy and M&A advisory.
Events like this illustrate how academic education and corporate practice are closely connected at CBS, enabling students to prepare early for challenging roles in the business world.
Key Takeaways
- Format: Guest lecture as part of the CBS Guest Lecture Series
- Speaker: Dr. Björn Röper
- Position: Founder and Partner
- Company: BELGRAVIA & CO
- Industry: M&A Financial Advisory and strategy consulting in the mid-market
- Focus topics: M&A transactions, company valuations and strategic transaction advisory
- Practical insight: Valuation methods such as Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Multiples and Due Diligence processes
- Career perspectives: André Lauschke, Associate at BELGRAVIA & CO. and CBS alumnus, shared insights into career paths in M&A consulting
- Practical relevance: The lecture demonstrates how real corporate practice is systematically integrated into the business programmes at CBS.
Learning from Experts in M&A Advisory
As part of the CBS Guest Lecture Series, CBS welcomed Dr. Björn Röper, Founder and Partner of the M&A advisory firm BELGRAVIA & CO. During his presentation, students gained practical insights into the world of Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) and the strategic and financial advisory processes involved in corporate transactions.
The lecture focused particularly on mid-market transactions. Dr. Röper explained how M&A projects are structured and which steps are required to guide companies successfully through buy-side and sell-side transaction processes.
Insights at the intersection of theory, technology, and entrepreneurial practice are a key component of the NXT GEN study model at CBS. By combining theory-driven teaching with practice-oriented impulses from business and society, the programme prepares students to tackle complex business challenges, especially those that are increasingly relevant for the future of the German Mittelstand.
M&A Advisory: Structured Processes and Strategic Decisions
A central topic of the lecture was the complexity of M&A transactions. Dr. Röper highlighted that successful transactions require not only strong technical expertise but also a deep understanding of the strategic objectives of the companies involved.
Key elements of transaction advisory include:
- Financial analysis and company valuation
- Valuation methods such as Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) and Multiples
- Transaction structuring
- Conducting comprehensive Due Diligence processes
An important success factor in advisory work is not only technical competence but also the trust relationship between advisors and clients.
One memorable quote from the lecture illustrated this approach:
The goal is to generate at least 5 to 6 times the advisory fee in purchase price value for the client.
This principle highlights the core objective of advisory services: creating measurable value for clients and structuring transactions strategically.
BELGRAVIA & CO.: Advisory for Entrepreneurs and Family Businesses
BELGRAVIA & CO. is a specialised M&A advisory firm focusing on mid-market transactions. The firm supports family-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and corporates on both the sell-side and buy-side of transactions.
Its services include:
- Strategic transaction advisory
- Structuring company acquisitions and sales
- Company valuations
- Coordination of complex Due Diligence processes
For students, the lecture offered a realistic insight into the work of M&A advisors and the dynamics involved in corporate transactions.
Career Paths in M&A Consulting
Begleitet wurde Dr. Röper von André Lauschke, Associate bei BELGRAVIA & CO. und CBS-Alumnus. Er berichtete über seinen persönlichen Karriereweg in die M&A-Beratung und zeigte auf, welche Kompetenzen in diesem anspruchsvollen Berufsfeld besonders wichtig sind.
Dr. Röper was accompanied by André Lauschke, Associate at BELGRAVIA & CO. and CBS alumnus. He shared insights into his personal career path into M&A advisory and explained which skills are particularly important in this demanding professional field.
For students, this perspective was especially valuable. They not only gained insights into the daily work in strategy and M&A consulting, but also learned how career paths in this industry can develop after graduation.
Real-world business experience integrated into the curriculum
The guest lecture with BELGRAVIA & CO is a strong example of the practice-oriented learning concept at CBS.
In our business programmes, the connection to real-world business practice is systematically embedded through:
- Business Projects addressing real strategic and operational challenges from partner companies
- Regular guest lectures by executives and industry experts
- Conventions providing space for interdisciplinary learning and practice-oriented leadership experiences
- Case studies and simulation games addressing typical business challenges
- Mandatory internships for applying academic knowledge in a corporate context
- Dual study formats with continuous integration into company structures
- A network of more than 1,300 partner companies across various industries
This structured integration enables students not only to analyze economic challenges but also to develop well-founded decisions under real market conditions.
With initiatives like this, CBS reinforces its commitment to closely linking business and academia and preparing students specifically for leadership roles in a globalized and sustainability-oriented economy.
Conclusion: Understanding M&A Through Real-World Insights
The guest lecture by Dr. Björn Röper demonstrated how complex M&A transactions are structured and executed in practice.
For students, the session provided not only insights into valuation methods and transaction processes, but also a realistic understanding of the work involved in strategy and M&A advisory.
Events like this illustrate how academic education and corporate practice are closely connected at CBS, enabling students to prepare early for challenging roles in the business world.
