Robert Collard Partner

Partner

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Rob specialises in employee share schemes and incentives and heads up the Macfarlanes remuneration practice. He advises both listed and unlisted clients on the design, operation and implementation of option plans and other employee share schemes (including the tax and regulatory aspects).

Rob also advises management teams and deals with the share schemes aspects of M&A transactions.

Rob has a wide range of clients but has a particular focus on the financial sector. His team covers all aspects of law relating to employee share schemes and incentives, including employment, tax, trust law and regulatory issues. He has particular experience in tax efficient plans, including SAYE option plans, EMI options, CSOPs and SIPs. Rob also advises on the share schemes aspects of high profile international transactions. Rob is a member of the Share Plan Lawyers Group.

Expertise

Recent work

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NortonLifeLock Inc.

Advising NortonLifeLock Inc., a NASDAQ-listed provider of consumer Cyber Safety solutions, on its recommended cash and stock merger with FTSE100 company Avast plc, a leading global cybersecurity provider, in a transaction attributing an enterprise value to Avast of up to $9.2bn.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc

Advising Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc, a biopharmaceutical company based in Ireland, on its acquisition of GW Pharmaceuticals plc for a total consideration of $7.2bn, announced in February 2021.

Virgin

Advising long-standing client Virgin on the co-investment arrangements relating to its $480m blank cheque fundraising.

Genius Sports Group

Advising the senior management team of Genius Sports Group, the leading provider of sports data and technology for betting operators, on its business combination agreement with NYSE-listed special purpose acquisition company dMY Technology Group, Inc. II.

Walker Books

Advising the trustees of two employee benefit trusts who were the majority shareholders of Walker Books on the sale of the company to Trustbridge Global Media.

Smith & Williamson

Advising Smith & Williamson on the restructuring of Tilney merger and Warburg Pincus investment.

SuperGroup plc

Advising on the establishment of an innovative “Founder Share Plan” for SuperGroup plc.

Xafinity plc

Advising the management team of Xafinity plc in relation to its IPO, including the treatment of existing shares and awards and the terms of the new share schemes implemented in connection with the flotation.

Better Capital

Advising Better Capital on the issue of equity to management and employees of a number of its portfolio companies.

Revolution Bars plc

Advising on the establishment of a performance share plan incorporating a tax efficient CSOP for Revolution Bars plc in connection with its IPO.

BATS Inc

Establishing a SIP for the UK employees of BATS Inc. The SIP was originally implemented when BATS was a private company and was designed to operate alongside and in conjunction with its existing US share plans and internal market. We subsequently advised BATS on the issues arising for award holders as a result of the company’s IPO and the subsequent sale to CBOE Holdings Inc.

Improbable Worlds

Advising Improbable Worlds on the set up and operation of a tax efficient EMI option scheme.

ABM Industries Inc

Helping ABM Industries Inc, the listed US facilities management company, to extend awards under its share plans to UK participants.

Epic Private Equity LLP

Advising Epic Private Equity LLP with all aspects of the establishment and operation of a jointly owned share plan, operating over shares in EPE Special Opportunities plc.

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What people are saying

"Robert Collard is "a very commercial and practical lawyer," according to sources. He leads the remuneration practice at the firm and works with a range of clients, including listed and unlisted companies."

Chambers UK 2019

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