Private equity

We are one of the largest dedicated private equity groups in the mid-market in London. We field integrated teams of experienced and commercially astute lawyers from across the firm to execute complex and important transactions for our clients, at pace and on budget. 

Our practice advises private equity sponsors, management teams and investee companies throughout the investment cycle, from initial deal structuring to eventual exit. 

The size of our group and volume of transactions we complete gives us significant depth of resource and a considerable pool of market information on recent trends which we can draw upon to not only pre-empt the issues that are likely to arise during the course of a deal, but to ensure that our clients remain competitive in an increasingly dynamic market. 

As well as the core private equity group, we draw upon specialist lawyers to provide transactional support, covering commercial contracts, competition, IT, IP, banking, tax, incentives, employment and pensions, real estate and regulatory matters.

Key experience 

Agathos Management LLP

Advised Agathos Management LLP on its role in the management buyout of Hunter Healthcare Resourcing Ltd.

Apposite Capital

Advised Apposite Capital, the healthcare specialist private equity investor, on its buyout of Health and Case Management Limited (HCML).

bd-capital 

Advised bd-capital on its recent deal with Bridgepoint Development Capital to merge their respective portfolio companies, SportPursuit and Private Sport Shop, to form Sportscape Group. 

Bestport Private Equity 

Advised Bestport Private Equity on its investment in fast growing LED consultancy business Energy Saving Lighting (ESL).

BGF

We have advised on more than 15 investments by BGF, the UK and Ireland’s most active investor in growing businesses, including acting on its investment in Harnham Group, a specialist in data and analytics recruitment and exit from Virtual1 a London-based cloud and connectivity service provider.

Bowmark Capital 

Advised Bowmark Capital on its buyout of Kubrick Group, a leading provider of next-generation technology consulting.

Coniston Capital 

Advised Coniston Capital on its management buyout of the CRC Group. 

Distressed investment fund

Advising a family office-backed UK distressed investment fund, on a number of debt and equity investments, including urgent bridge financings and acquisitions of distressed businesses and subsequently disposals following turnaround (in healthcare, education and energy sectors).

Elysian Capital 

Advised Elysian Capital on its acquisition and investment, in conjunction with management, in Eton Bridge Partners Ltd.

FPE Capital LLP

Advised FPE Capital LLP, the software & services focused lower mid-market growth investor, on its investment into Dynamic Planner, a software provider to the UK wealth management sector.

Partners Group

Advised Partners Group in its private equity investments in Asia, including secondary (LP and direct) investments and co-investments, structured through companies and funds.

Pelican Capital

Advised Pelican Capital on its investment in Wheelhouse Advisors and subsequent sale to Centralis.

Pirum Systems

Advised the shareholders of Pirum Systems on its acquisition by a newly incorporated group controlled jointly by Bowmark Capital and Hg and with the management team retaining a significant stake in the business.

Rockpool Investments

Advised Rockpool Investment on its buyout of financial planning and wealth management group Finitor Wealth.

Schroder Adveq

Advised Schroder Adveq in its private equity investments in Asia, including secondary (LP and direct) investments and co-investments, structured through companies and funds.

Star Capital

Advised STAR Capital on its investment in Rail Operations (UK) Limited.

Advised a DIFC-based corporate finance advisory and private equity firm on the sale of a 50% stake in its business.

Advised a global investment organisation on the buyout, through its subsidiary, of the entire stake of its joint venture partner in a global visa processing service provider business.

Advised Rhone Capital on the acquisition, through its subsidiary Wellbore Integrity Solutions, of the UAE wellbore services division of Schlumberger.

Advised on an investment into a European oil field remediation business with interests in the Middle East.

Advised on an investment in to a subsidiary of a Singaporean listed entity and its subsequent exit through a S$85 million reverse takeover on the Singaporean Stock Exchange, and on its proposed investment in a Vietnamese infrastructure fund manager.

Advised on equity negotiations with management on the c.US$75 million MBO of a schools’ business in the United States and Middle East by Sovereign Capital.

Advised the Al Hokair Group in respect of its investments by Jadwa Investments (approximately SAR 500 million). This involved detailed negotiations of the transaction documents and an internal due diligence on the Al Hokair Group.

Acting for a worldwide private equity house in two second round financings with multiple investors in technology companies based in India and Mauritius. Assumed the role of lead transaction counsel and involved in detailed negotiations of the documents.

Represented ChrysCapital in its landmark investment in Spectramind Limited, a leading BPO company which was later sold to Wipro.

Advised India Value Fund in its acquisition of a stake in Media Broadcasting Private Limited. Advised the promoters of NDT Corrosion Control Services in the sale of majority stake in the company to Investcorp, Bahrain.

Advised DMS Group, a Euronext Growth Paris listed company, on its acquisition of Solutions for Tomorrow.

Advised Andera Croissance in its investment in Kepler, a consultancy firm which operates in all sectors with a strong presence in the cosmetics industry, health, retailing and banking/insurance sectors.

Directory quotes

‘Well rounded team with solid experience of the mid-market. Able to take deal features from larger deals and utilise them in smaller setting and vice versa.’
The Legal 500 UK 2023

‘They have deep expertise and understanding of private equity transactions. Solutions-driven and innovative thinking.’
The Legal 500 UK 2023

‘Good skillset and clarity of process… We have worked with the team over several years. They are very professional, always available and quick to respond, stick to timetables and are very commercial in their approach.’
The Legal 500 UK 2022
 

Team
Emily Davies
Emily Davies Managing associate, private funds T: +44 20 7809 2848 M: +44 7587 051 680
Email Emily Davies | Vcard Office London
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Rajiv Kakkad
Rajiv Kakkad Managing associate, private funds T: +44 20 7809 2814 M: +44 7587 051 552
Email Rajiv Kakkad | Vcard Office London
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Nicola Baird
Nicola Baird Managing associate, private equity T: +44 20 7809 2835 M: +44 75 8705 1604
Email Nicola Baird | Vcard Office London
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Lucy Thorpe
Lucy Thorpe Managing associate, private equity T: +44 20 7809 2299 M: +44 7702 152 777
Email Lucy Thorpe | Vcard Office London
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Kunal Shah
Kunal Shah Associate, private equity T: +44 20 7809 2590 M: +44 7721 598 549
Email Kunal Shah | Vcard Office London
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Alex Stevens
Alex Stevens Associate, private equity T: +44 7920 253 777
Email Alex Stevens | Vcard Office London
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Ian Benjamin
Ian Benjamin Partner, restructuring and insolvency T: +44 20 7809 2286 M: +44 7921 472 238
Email Ian Benjamin | Vcard Office London
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All team members