Hugh James

Corporate.

Gerallt is a partner and head of the corporate and commercial team. Since joining Hugh James in 2005, Gerallt has led the team to be a leading player within the corporate and commercial market, advising clients including the Welsh Government, the Welsh Rugby Union, Princes Gate Water and the Development Bank of Wales. Gerallt’s achievements are reflected by his inclusion in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame, which highlights the law firm partners who are at the pinnacle of the profession.

Gerallt specialises in corporate law and has a wealth of experience advising businesses on mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt investments, private equity transactions, joint ventures, management buy-outs/ buy-ins, restructuring and general corporate advice.

Gerallt’s notable recent deals include advising Welsh Government on the £83.7 million International Convention Centre Wales at Celtic Manor Resort and on the sale of a majority shareholding in Princes Gate Spring Water to Nestlé Waters. This deal was named Insider Wales Dealmakers International Deal of the Year 2018.

Gerallt also advised on the sale by Walters Group of Ffos Las racecourse, the first new horse racing venue in Britain for more than 80 years, to Arena Racing Company (Arc).

He regularly advises the Welsh Rugby Union on numerous matters including its acquisition of the Newport Gwent professional rugby region and its catering and hospitality joint venture at the Principality Stadium with Compass Group Dragons.

He also advised on the £28.5 million buyout of Vista Retail Support by LDC and Cardiff University on the transfer of 300 staff and 3,000 separate training courses to Health Education and Improvement Wales, a new £200 million special health authority within NHS Wales.

Gerallt has particular expertise in the sport and food & drink sectors, leading Hugh James’s relationships with clients in these sectors including the Welsh Rugby Union and Braces Bakery.

Gerallt is a fluent Welsh speaker.

Gerallt is a trustee of the Cardiff Museum Development Trust.

Trainee solicitor and solicitor Slaughter and May, London 1993-96; solicitor Hong Kong 1996-98, including secondment to Credit Suisse First Boston 1997; Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, associate, Hong Kong 1998-2002 and senior associate, London 2002-2005; partner and head of corporate department Hugh James 2005 to date.

Fluent Welsh.

Law Society.

Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, Cardiff; Jesus College Oxford and The College of Law Chester (1991 BA Jurisprudence).

Rugby, cycling, skiing, scuba diving and opera.