Noted for its ‘strong presence across the market,’ Gowling WLG’s corporate practice has established itself as a solid firm for cross-border M&A, working with clients from a range of sectors including real estate, life sciences, healthcare, energy, and engineering. The team is jointly led by Gareth Baker and Sunil Kakkad; Baker specialises in energy and infrastructure transactions, while Kakkad has noteworthy expertise advising Indian businesses on cross-border transactions and capital raises. European PE head Ian Piggin, a healthcare and life sciences authority, focuses on private equity and venture capital funds. Neil Hendron is also well versed in financial services sector matters. Madhu Jain, who joined the firm in February 2024 from Pinsent Masons LLP, boasts considerable experience working with insurers and reinsurers. Rebecca Burford, who joined the group in February 2024 from Charles Russell Speechlys LLP, handles a slew of transactions including management buy-outs, seed capital and growth capital investments, and joint ventures. Other key contacts include Siân Dewing and Chelsie Taylor.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team have made strenuous efforts to understand the strategic intent of the business and its culture. In that regard, when they work on any M&A activities for us, they do not simply undertake the work efficiently but think outside the box and add real value. They are fully up to scratch with the markets we operate in and use that knowledge to our benefit.’
‘Gareth Baker has been our go-to lawyer for many years and has proven to be outstanding in the service he provides. He fully understands the business and the markets we operate in, and his collaborative team approach adds value to any deal. The other individual who gave a stand-out performance on the last deal was Chelsie Taylor. Chelsie was on top of the deal from day one and maintained that control through many continuous and difficult twists.’
‘The Gowling team have a strong presence across the market, across established and mature technologies, and also developing markets. The team are proactive and great at getting to the core of the issues and getting deals done. Their commitment to client excellence really shines through.’
‘Gareth Baker is a stand-out partner in the energy space. He is very knowledgeable about the sector and great at getting deals done. Neil Hendron is also recommended on M&A work.’
‘The group stand out for their ability to summarise the issues in a way that they can be resolved succinctly. They are also excellent at providing commercial solutions.’
Key clients
- Round Hill Music Royalty Fund Limited
- Pacific Green Energy Storage (UK) Ltd
- Gyrus Capital
- Evolution Funding Group Ltd.
- Volex
- Mobeus Equity Partners LLP
- Net Zero Energy Development Ltd
- Montreux Capital Management
- Independent Builders Merchant Group Ltd.
- Corcel PLC
- Hummingbird Resources PLC
- Andrada Mining Limited
- Oriole Resources PLC
- AD Education
Work highlights
- Advised Volex on its acquisition of Murat Ticaret Kablo Sanayi A.Ş. for approximately €178.1 million.
- Acted for Round Hill Music Royalty Fund Limited in relation to its recommended takeover by a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alchemy Copyrights, LLC, trading as Concord.
- Advised Gyrus Capital on its acquisition of LRE Medical.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Gareth Baker, Sunil Kakkad