The ‘very experienced’ team at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP, which is noted for its specialist expertise in the technology and hydrocarbon sectors, acting on behalf of companies, advisors and AIM NOMADs on a full range of matters. Takeovers are a key strength for the practice, which is also well versed in M&A, share offerings, company reorganisations, financings, venture capital, private equity and joint ventures. Practice head Andrew Collins – ‘careful, thorough and wise’ – is a highly experienced adviser whose wide-ranging capabilities span the full gamut of ECM work. Collins is regularly supported by fellow key contact Paul Arathoon, who frequently handles corporate finance work for public companies.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Personable, pragmatic and commercially astute. Very experienced team.’

  • ‘Careful, professional people with the judgement and depth of experience to deliver good commercial advice.’

  • ‘Andrew Collins. A good listener, careful, thorough and wise.’

  • 'Mark Howard provides practical corporate advice.'

  • 'Paul Arathoon's responsiveness and availability are excellent.'

Key clients

  • Shore Capital
  • Transense Technologies plc
  • Cakebox plc
  • Tamesis Partners LLP
  • Ashanti Capital Pty Ltd
  • Shard Capital Partners LLP
  • Caretech Holdings plc
  • Circle Property Plc
  • Prime People Plc
  • Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited
  • Prospex Oil and Gas plc

Work highlights

  • Advised the independent board of Caretech Holdings PLC in its take private sale to a management-led bidding vehicle, Amalfi Bidco Limited, for £870.3 million.
  • Advised Shore Capital (Robert Finlay/David Coaten), as nominated adviser, broker and bookrunner on a £14m fundraising for AIM-listed Helios Underwriting Plc, through a placing, direct subscription and open offer.
  • Advising AIM-listed property investing company Circle Property Plc, on the disposal by Circle Property Unit of Kents Hill Park Conference Centre to LXI Property Holdings 4 Limited for £34.5m in cash.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Paul specialises in corporate finance, predominantly for public companies. He has a particular focus on the natural resource, financial services and technology sectors. Paul acts on capital market transactions for issuers and brokers on the Main Market and AIM, including debt and other non-equity capital issues. He also advises on public company takeovers both for bidders and targets and has a particular expertise in advising overseas companies on bids for UK companies subject to the Takeover Code. He also regularly provides governance and regulatory advice to listed companies, including in relation to the Market Abuse Regulation and on shareholder and boardroom disputes.Paul is noted as a “next generation lawyer” in the Legal 500 2017 and 2018 editions for small and mid-cap flotations. He has also written for City AM and been quoted in the Financial Times.He also acts for private companies on a range of matters including section 110 reorganisations, and shareholder/ board disputes. He is a member of the Quoted Companies Alliance Legal Experts Committee.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Andrew Collins

Other key lawyers

Paul Arathoon, Mark Howard