Mahesh Varia heads up the practice at Travers Smith LLP, which has a strong reputation for its ‘deep expertise and pragmatic approach’, and high-profile takeover work. Varia has strong expertise advising both public and private companies on the incentive arrangement aspects of high-stakes takeovers, an area of specialism shared by ’real expert in her field’ Elissavet Grout; Hugo Twigg frequently supports Varia and Grout on mandates. The team’s advisory capabilities are also noteworthy, and it is equipped to guide clients through the operation of existing and proposed incentives arrangements. Claire Prentice advises on employee and management incentives, executive remuneration and employment tax issues.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team really seeks to work with the client as partner, rather than an arm's-length adviser.’
‘Quality of associates is stellar; no shying away from giving good, real-time advice where they can.’
‘Deep expertise and a pragmatic approach. Very professional and diligent. They have a history of working with us and I trust them and their judgement.’
‘A well-balanced mix of listed share scheme clients and private equity-backed companies. Commercially-reasonable positions on complex issues. A friendly, diverse team.’
‘Mahesh Varia is an industry thought-leader who facilitates the appropriate leverage of junior team members. Claire Prentice and Hugo Twigg are high-functioning and responsive.’
‘Mahesh Varia has impressive technical knowledge, which is generously shared and commercially applied. Elissavet Grout has invaluable knowledge and experience and is reliable under pressure.’
‘Elissavet Grout is a real expert in her field. Her advice is always highly commercial, with a great depth of understanding for our business and goals.’
‘A great team with considerable experience across share schemes - very pragmatic and commercial and works well with other teams advising the company.’
Key clients
- Numis Corporation plc
- Cavendish Financial plc
- Ascential plc
- Zegona Communications plc
- Inflexion
- Micro Focus plc
- BaltCap
- Blancco Technology Group plc
- IK Partners
- Integral Acquisition Corporation 1
- Inmarsat Group Limited
- Inflexion
- The Wavenet Group
- S4 Capital plc
- Gamma Communications plc
Work highlights
- Advised a longstanding main market client on its €5bn acquisition of Vodafone Spain from Vodafone.
- Acted for longstanding client Ascential plc on the sale of its product design business, WGSN, to funds advised by Apax Partners LLP.
- Advised Micro Focus plc on the incentives related aspects of its £5.1bn takeover by Open Text Corporation.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Elissavet Grout
Travers Smith LLPPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Mahesh Varia