Mr Spencer Summerfield > Travers Smith LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

The ‘very strong practice’ at Travers Smith LLP stands out for the depth and strength of its client relationships with UK investment banks, whom it advises as sponsors and underwriters on both IPOs and secondary fundraisings, and it also regularly advises a solid roster of AIM clients in a range of sectors on equity issues. Integrated US securities expertise further allows the team to handle private placements in the US and advise its clients on the US regulatory aspects of international transactions. Corporate expert Spencer Summerfield co-heads the team with Adrian West, who is well-regarded for his ability to advise on Main Market and AIM IPOs. Public M&A and ECM expert Tom Coulter is also a key contact. Richard Spedding left the firm in May 2024, and former practice co-head Andrew Gillen became the firm’s senior partner in November 2023.

With activities spanning the Main Market and AIM of the London Stock Exchange as well as international exchanges, Travers Smith LLP is well-placed to advise issuers, plc clients, and investment funds on a diverse array of middle-market equity transactions, including IPOs and secondary fundraises, relistings, de-SPAC transactions, and equity transfers. Corporate finance expert Spencer Summerfield jointly heads up the team with Adrian West, who handles a diverse array of ECM and public M&A transactions. Former practice head Andrew Gillen was made the firm’s senior partner in November 2023, and Richard Spedding departed the firm in May 2024.

Advising a wide range of industry players and infrastructure-focused funds, Travers Smith LLP continues to be an active presence in the market, handling key net zero mandates in the UK as well as large-scale acquisitions overseas – particularly in the digital infrastructure space. Head of corporate Spencer Summerfield is highly regarded for his M&A and corporate finance expertise and serves as a longstanding adviser to a number of financial sponsors. Jonathan Walters works with global funds on investments, disposals, restructurings and reorganisations, with a recent demonstrable track record in renewables and district heating transactions.  Hugh Hutchison is heavily involved in European energy and infrastructure deals. In team news, Ryan Ayrton joined the firm from Watson Farley & Williams LLP in July 2024 and John Buttanshaw was promoted to partner in July 2024, while Ben Thompson joined Sidley Austin LLP in May 2024.

Noted for its expertise across a range of sectors, including infrastructure, financial services, wealth management and technology, Travers Smith LLP is frequently involved in high-value matters, comprising public takeovers, group combinations, acquisitions and investments. Entrusted by FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies, private equity firms and financial sponsors, the practice is noted for its dedicated listed company advisory team. Key figures include joint practice heads Spencer Summerfield , who maintains a broad and busy practice; Adrian West, who is praised for his ‘deep equity capital market knowledge’; and Lucie Cawood, head of the firm’s private equity and financial sponsors group. Elsewhere in the team, Andrew Gillen routinely advises listed and larger private companies in relation to public and private M&A transactions, joint ventures and corporate governance matters.