Private M&A

We are widely recognised as one of the leading M&A practices in the UK. We advise clients on all aspects of the acquisition and disposal of companies and business in all market sectors.

In particular we are recognised for our expertise in high-end complex matters and have considerable experience advising on cross-border transactions.

We advise some of the world's most successful and ambitious businesses and business leaders. Our clients range from private equity houses and investment banks, to UK and international corporations and wealthy individuals - across a variety of markets.

Our M&A offering is enhanced by the depth of our expertise in a number of complementary areas including: banking and finance, anti-trust, real estate, environmental, employment, pensions and benefits, commercial, intellectual property, information technology, trusts, financial services, regulatory and taxation. Our M&A specialists work closely with lawyers in each of these areas to provide our clients with a seamless service.

Recent work

Smith & Williamson

Advising Smith & Williamson (now Evelyn Partners) on its £1.8bn merger with Tilney Group, including Warburg Pincus’s co-investment alongside Permira.

Binderholz

Advising Binderholz, the Austrian-headquartered timber and sawmilling company, on the acquisition by its wholly owned subsidiary, BSW Timber Limited, of Scott Group Investments Limited from the Scott brothers, John and Norman.

Arcmont Asset Management

Advising Arcmont Asset Management on its sale to Nuveen, the investment manager of the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America Fund (TIAA).

Merian Global Investors

Advising the key management team at Merian Global Investors, a UK asset manager, on its £390m acquisition by Jupiter Fund Management. The deal will create the second-largest retail fund manager in the UK with combined assets under management of £65bn.

Improbable

Advising Improbable on the acquisitions of MidWinter Entertainment and The Multiplayer Guys Limited.

Neste Corporation

Advising Neste Corporation, an oil refining and marketing company listed on the Helsinki stock exchange, on the disposal of its Russian fuel retail business to PJSC Tatneft, one of the leading integrated oil and gas companies in Russia.

Standard Life Aberdeen

Advising Standard Life Aberdeen on its joint venture with Investcorp to invest in infrastructure projects for the Gulf Cooperation Council.

XPO Logistics

Advising NYSE listed transportation and supply chain company XPO Logistics on the acquisition of certain UK contract logistics operations from Swiss logistics business Kuehne + Nagel International AG.

Lycamobile

Advising Lycamobile on the sale of its Spanish mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) business to MasMovil, a Spanish-listed telecoms business, for €372m.

Greenergy

Advising Greenergy on its agreed combination with BG Fuels, a leading Canadian gasoline and convenience retailer.

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See all contacts

Howard Corney

Partner

+44 (0)20 7849 2373 Email Howard

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What people are saying

"Leading mid-market practice advising high-profile names on a range of transactions including acquisitions, disposals and joint ventures. Well versed in high-end work, often acting on international mandates for corporates and financial institutions. Also regularly called upon to advise management and director teams on M&A transactions. Broad international capabilities include recent experience in the USA, Europe and Australasia."

Chambers UK 2020