Laura Houët
CMSCMS advises an impressive roster of retail funds on matters ranging from fund launches to dealings with the FCA around the restructuring of funds and issues arising out of the new SDR and Consumer Duty regimes. Leadership of the team is split between Karagh Gilliatt, who advises managers and ACDs on the lifecycle of open-ended funds, and Laura Houët, an expert in sustainable investment strategies, including SFDR and SDR regulations. Lucy Pywell assists with the establishment of authorised funds and fund mergers. Rachel Lowe departed the firm in September 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The CMS team has a number of key strengths which makes it a strong partner for our firm. They have deep expertise in the retail funds practice and access to a wide range of knowledge around the wider company and industry.'
- 'The individuals we work with at CMS are experienced and able to offer help across any area of the business we need assistance with. They also act in partnership with us and are willing to engage directly with our clients which is extremely useful.'
Key clients
- Abrdn
- Baillie Gifford & Co Limited
- Embark
- Scottish Widows Schroders Personal Wealth
- T. Bailey Fund Services Limited
- Carvetian Capital Management
- Phoenix Group
- Scottish Friendly
- Argonaut Capital Management
- Sanlam Group
- Aviva
- Nomura
- Aegon Asset Management UK plc
- CMS DeBacker Luxembourg
- SVM Asset Management Limited
- Columbia Threadneedle Investment Business Limited
- Atomos
- Lloyds Banking Group
- Valu-Trac Investment Management Limited
- Quilter Investors Limited
- Evelyn Partners Fund Solutions Limited
- Close Asset Management (UK) Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Abrdn on the disposal of the Merlin Fund to Thesis Unit Trust Management Limited.
- Advised Evelyn Partners Fund Solutions on a new umbrella with two sub-funds to be seeded by a scheme of election and a scheme of arrangement.
- Advised Baillie Gifford on the termination of its British Smaller Companies Fund.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Karagh Gilliatt, Laura Houët