The corporate finance team at Stephenson Harwood takes a multidisciplinary approach, working alongside other practices including tax, banking and finance, and technology to advise on transactions. The group has a strong industry coverage, with particular expertise in the financial services, decarbonisation, transport and trade, technology, and healthcare sectors. It has recently seen an uptick in cross-border transactions for technology businesses. Sam Gray concentrates on cross-border M&A transactions, predominantly acting for insurance brokers and clients from the financial services sector. Duncan Stiles stands out for his extensive experience assisting US companies on European-focused acquisitions, while Ben Mercer is adept in private M&A, joint ventures, and restructuring. Life sciences and biotechnology expert Anthony Clare and corporate department head Tom Nicholls focus on public and private M&A and joint ventures- including in relation to venture capital. On the healthcare front, Karima Hudson – who rejoined the team from Taylor Wessing LLP in June 2023 – specialises in advising both operators and funders in the healthcare space. Other notable names include Jonathan Bridcut and Michelle Gomes.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team collaborate effectively with partners across the SH business, meaning that in addition to an exceptional M&A team, we are lucky to work with partners across the firm.’
‘They are our go-to lawyers due to high levels of collaboration, clear and transparent billing and diversity of thought and perspective across the team.’
‘They're diligent, readily available and very knowledgeable.’
‘A partner-led service with a consistent level of quality at associate level which, in our view, is above average by reference to comparator firms.’
‘There is genuine engagement and interest in our business, which drives a genuinely collaborative approach.���
‘Jonathan Bridcut aligns himself well with our transactional objectives, is adept at building rapport with counterparties, and demonstrates strong project management skills. He is a very capable technical lawyer.’
‘Michelle Gomes is very intelligent and a capable practitioner.’
Key clients
- The Ardonagh Group
- Anglia Maltings Limited
- Arriva plc
- Custodian Property Income REIT plc
- Inspired Education Group
- Liberum Capital Limited
- Nurture Landscapes Group
- Trafalgar Entertainment Group Limited
- Select Vehicle Group Holdings Limited
- Denkavit Internationaal B.V.
- Civis PFI/PPP Infrastructure Fund
- Profile Risk Solutions Ltd
- Snap-On Incorporated
- Novacyt S.A.
- Ardonagh Advisory Holdings Limited
- eScribers Limited
- Gore Street Energy Storage Fund plc
- Blandford Capital
Work highlights
- Advised the management team of the personal lines broking business of The Ardonagh Group on its merger with Markerstudy Group.
- Advised Arriva on the sale of Arriva plc by Deutsche Bahn AG to I Squared Capital.
- Acted for Custodian Property Income REIT plc on its recommended merger with abrdn Property Income Trust Limited.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Jonathan Bridcut