Joe Bedford > Stevens & Bolton LLP > Guildford, England > Lawyer Profile

Stevens & Bolton LLP boasts expertise in M&A transactions, Part VII transfers, bulk annuity matters and reinsurance transactions. The Guildford-based practice is headed up by Gary Parnell and Heidi Sawtell; Parnell specialises in insurance distribution arrangements and affinity partnerships, and Sawtell excels in Part VII transfers, reinsurance and pension de-risking transactions. Other notable names in the practice include David Steinberg, Joe Bedford and Jenny Robertson.

With a breadth of expertise which includes domestic and cross-border M&A, private equity, growth capital fundraising, joint ventures, and reorganisations, Stevens & Bolton LLP‘s corporate team handles complex transactions for an expanding client base. The group covers a wide range of industry sectors such as technology, financial services, and life sciences, among others. Heading up the team is Joe Bedford who acts for banks, public and private corporates, and shareholders on mergers and acquisitions, structuring, and investment finance. Travel and life sciences expert Keith Syson has extensive experience leading on M&A, private equity, joint ventures, and demergers, while Richard Baxter is adept in M&A, restructuring, private equity transactions, joint ventures, and corporate governance. The practice also benefits from the aptitude of Jenny Robertson, who frequently leads on sales and acquisitions, equity investments, and MBOs, as well as joint ventures, reorganisations, and share incentives. On the cross-border front, Nick Atkins takes the lead due to his international relationships with Iberian, German, US, Singaporean, and Belgian companies. He advises businesses on M&A, private equity, and growth capital matters, often involving cross-border jurisdictions. Providing ‘consistently excellent service’ is Oscar Horwich who concentrates on M&A, venture and growth funding, and national and international private equity. Heidi Sawtell is a financial services specialist, advising clients on acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures, and reorganisations, while Krishna Patel focuses on transactions in the technology, sports, and insurance sectors.

Fielding dedicated corporate and commercial teams, the Guildford-based practice at Stevens & Bolton LLP is ‘approachable and extremely professional’. Offering expertise across M&A, for both public and private companies, and mid-market private equity, the corporate team is led by Joe Bedford, who is active on cross-border deals and assisting repeat acquirers with build and buy strategy. Beverley Flynn spearheads the commercial side of the practice, focusing on complex contract negotiation, competition and regulatory work, and commercial transaction matters, with a particular niche in the insurance and technology sectors. Jonathan Steele recently joined the firm from Charles Russell Speechlys LLP. Nick Atkins has a strong reputation in M&A and growth capital work.