Richard advises on a broad range of corporate transactions including acquisitions, disposals and investments. His clients are both public listed companies as well as fast growing private businesses. Richard is the head of the firm's entrepreneurs and family business group. In addition to advising public listed companies Richard has extensive experience in working with entrepreneurial and family owned businesses and has a particular interest in the media, technology and publishing sectors. His recent experience includes advising Mantle Diamonds Limited on its simultaneous US$25 million fund-raising from Australian private equity fund Pacific Road Capital and the acquisition of the Lerala Diamond mine in Botswana from Australian listed company Diamonex Limited and BMJ Publishing Group Limited on its acquisition of Informatica Systems Limited.
England - London • Corporate and commercial
Farrer & Co
Drawing considerable praise from clients for its ‘broad knowledge and experience’, the team at Farrer & Co is equipped to navigate a wide spectrum of high-value corporate transactions. With a strong foothold in the financial services, media and entertainment, and property sectors, the firm is well positioned to cater to the diverse needs of its clients. The team is led by the ’knowledgable’ and ‘highly commercial’ Jonathan Haley, a specialist in private company transactions with extensive experience acting for entrepreneurial clients on the sale of regulated businesses to both trade and private equity purchasers. Richard Lane, head of the firm’s international corporate offering, continues to lead on a number of major transactions, acting for a growing number of US and Middle East-based clients. David Fletcher is noted for his focus on founders, entrepreneurs and investors, particularly in the technology sector.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team were highly responsive, tailored their advice very specifically to the SME client, were cost-conscious without cutting corners and gave clear explanations underlying their thinking. They gave meaningful insight into the likely thinking of the other side and were equally capable of charm and menace as the situation required, without burning bridges.’
‘Richard Lane and India Benjamin were efficient, experienced, didn't need things explaining twice, deeply understood and could articulate the client's needs intimately - without any condescension. A pleasure to deal with.’
'They brought in specialists (tax, employment, IT etc) as required and managed their input and billing well. They dealt with the corporate finance adviser very well and managed a closing and earn out payment date without stress for the client.'
‘In addition to their legal work, which was excellent, they were particularly good at working with the management and shareholders, most of whom had not been involved in a transaction like this before.'
‘Excellent mid-market firm with broad knowledge and experience. They embrace technology (such as Kudocs), but draw on all of the experience that their history provides.’
‘Jon Haley - Knowledgeable, intelligent, genial and highly commercial.'
- 'David Copping - Impressive expert in all commercial and intellectual property matters. A go-to person.’
Key clients
- Canaccord Genuity Wealth Limited
- Arbuthnot Latham & Co
- Brookfield Business Partners LP
- London Business School
- PGA European Tour
- Rathbone Brothers plc
- J P Boden (Holdings) Limited
- BMJ Publishing Group Limited
- SAGE Publications Limited
- FG Curtis plc
Work highlights
- Advised Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management, through its wealth management business in the UK and Crown Dependencies (CGWM UK), on its acquisition of Punter Southall Wealth Limited (PSW), acquired from Psigma Wealth Limited (Psigma) which is part of the Punter Southall group.
- Advised the shareholders of F.G. Curtis plc (FGC) on the disposal of FGC to the Harwood private equity group for approximately £28m including earn-out consideration.
- Advised PGA European Tour on its entry into a 13-year operational joint venture partnership with PGA TOUR, as part of an extension of the existing strategic alliance between the two Tours.
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Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Jonathan Haley