In brief: As M&A deal volume in the U.S. reached a record high in 2015, a recent meeting of the NACD Advisory Council on Risk Oversight focused on the board’s oversight of M&A transactions. The discussion covered the following topics:

• Engaging management about possible deals
• Determining if a proposed deal advances company strategy
• Identifying culture and talent risks
• Measuring the success of a transaction
• Establishing effective oversight processes

This brief includes a list of additional resources on M&A risk oversight from NACD and meeting co-hosts PwC and Sidley Austin.

This resource can help your board:

• Understand the board’s role during an M&A transaction.
• Identify questions to consider when evaluating potential deals.
• Establish a process for determining transaction success.

Most relevant audiences: M&A committee members, risk committee members, audit committee members, general counsel