Simmons & Simmons

Financial services.

Craig specialises in derivatives, funds and investment products – and regularly advises asset managers, funds (UCITS and hedge), insurers, pension schemes and other major financial institutions on the terms of their derivatives and trading agreements. His practice focuses on the ‘buy side’ of the market, and consequently requires a deep understanding of both the structural arrangements and the regulatory landscape within which clients operate. His experience includes advising on repos, stock loans, credit, equity and property derivatives. He also regularly advises on distribution, investment management, custody of assets, prime brokerage and fund link agreements. Craig is an expert on EMIR and is currently advising some of the world’s largest financial institutions on implementation. In this regard, he has successfully negotiated a number of client clearing agreements, including for pension schemes, hedge funds, UCITS and QIFs. He regularly advises clients on AIFMD, particularly in respect of the contractual requirements underpinning depositary and asset management delegation arrangements.

Craig joined Simmons & Simmons as a managing associate in the financial services group in May 2011 from a large City law firm and was promoted to partner in May 2014. He has secondment experience, having worked for six months as derivatives counsel at one of the leading fund management groups in the UK. He qualified as a solicitor in 2005 and is based in our London office. He is a member of a number of the ISDA Committees.

Law Society.

Victoria College, Jersey; Exeter University (2:1 LLB (Hons)).

Surfing, wine collecting, equine art.