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Private equity

We have been well-known for our market-leading focus in the private equity industry since the 1970s, giving us experience, know-how and insight which is unparalleled. We are ranked as Tier 1 for mid-market private equity by a leading legal directory.

We have a strong track record of acting for sponsors, lenders and management teams across the mid-market.

We have private equity specialist lawyers in all areas required for a successful transaction including:

  • Transactions: We have seen every form of private equity transaction and in a number of cases have created innovative structures, or solutions to issues, that have become market standard.
  • Co-investments: Our funds and corporate practices also work closely together to provide a seamless service on equity co-investments.
  • Tax: Our highly-rated tax lawyers commonly structure as well as execute our transactions, giving the client a fully joined-up service.
  • Acquisition finance: We cover the full breadth of acquisition finance options now available in the market.

The teams that make up our private equity practice have worked together in a private equity context for many years.

Expertise:

Recent work

Epiris Managers

Advising Epiris Managers LLP and management on the sale of Davies Group to HGGC and on the sale of PINE, a freehold investment property portfolio focused on the UK education sector, to Universities Superannuation Scheme.

Caledonia Investments

Advising Caledonia Investments on the sale of Park Holidays UK, the third largest holiday park operator in the UK, to Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) for a headline enterprise value of £362m.

Lexington Partners

Advising Lexington Partners, a New York-based independent manager of secondary acquisition funds, on the closing of a large scale tender offer to investors in BC European Capital IX LP (BCEC IX). In aggregate, the transaction represents a total capital commitment of approximately $1bn from Lexington.

3i

Advising 3i on the sale of Mayborn Group to Shanghai Jahwa (Group) Co., Ltd, the parent company of leading Chinese consumer products organisation, Jahwa United Co., Ltd.

Exponent

Advising Exponent on its acquisition of Leisure Pass Holdings Limited (LPHL).

Charme Capital

Advising Charme Capital on the acquisition of JD Classics Holdings Limited.

Graphite

Advising Graphite on its acquisition of New World Trading Company (UK) Limited.

Alchemy

Advising Alchemy on a number of acquisitions including its acquisition of M2 Subsea and Delta Energy.

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Contact

See all contacts

Stephen Drewitt

 Partner
+44 (0)20 7849 2231 Email Stephen

What we think

Private funds regulatory update

Stephen Robinson, Paul Ellison, Martin Coombes 23 Oct 2019
The private funds regulatory update provides a practical overview of recent UK and EU financial services regulatory developments impacting private fund focused investment managers.
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The private equity review, fifth edition - investing in the United Kingdom

Stephen Drewitt 20 Jun 2016
The UK Chapter of the latest Private Equity Review.
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Taxing questions for European private equity: the impact of BEPS

Damien Crossley 17 Dec 2015
Damien Crossley, Head of Tax at Macfarlanes, recently took part in a roundtable discussion hosted by Real Deals to discuss the impact of the OECD's base erosion and profit shifting...
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What people are saying

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"Active on both high-end and mid-market transactions, with excellent credentials throughout the private equity field. Noted for its multidisciplinary approach, which includes substantial regulatory and tax structuring expertise."

Chambers UK 2020

"Their detailed drafting and commerciality is excellent,’ a client reports, adding: ‘They're a very trusted pair of hands and a pleasure to work with’."

Chambers UK 2020

"They're really flexible, cerebral and high quality. It's a broad offering and I enjoy working with them,’ another source says."

Chambers UK 2020

"The technical expertise of the lawyers (particularly at the senior end) is a real differentiating feature. The group offers high-quality legal advice and has a tenacious desire to combine legal know-how with the achievement of the client's commercial objectives’."

The UK Legal 500 2019

"The depth and breadth of experience within the wider private equity practice ensures partners have deep market knowledge, and senior team members are prepared to form an opinion and state it (something which is not always the case with other service providers)’."

The UK Legal 500 2019

"Active in both high-end and mid-market transactions, with excellent credentials throughout the private equity field. Noted for its multidisciplinary approach, which includes substantial regulatory expertise."

Chambers UK 2018

Awards