Drawing upon a 'real understanding of the SME market', the 'experienced and partner-led' team at Lewis Silkin is a popular choice among funds, including the British Growth Fund (BGF), on their investments in the space. Much of this work is led by Geraint Tilsley, who is 'very strong technically and commercially' and has over his many years in private practice developed good traction among US-based private equity funds and corporates, regularly advising them on their inbound UK investments.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The experienced and partner-led team has a real understanding of the SME market.'
  • 'Geraint Tilsley is very strong technically and commercially.'
  • 'Geraint Tilsley is professional, flexible and very pragmatic.'
  • 'Lewis Silkin assisted us in an international M&A transaction as co-counsel. The team was very efficient and helped the transaction go smoothly.'
  • 'Geraint Tilsley and Elizabeth Cotton are exceptional individuals who we have worked with across several business, for legals, property and acquisitions. They are diligent, and swift in their guidance and advice.'
  • 'For a mid-sized firm, we found Lewis Silkin to possess a perfect combination of specialized experience and breadth of their legal offering.'
  • 'They understand the business and what we are trying to accomplish and work with us to come to the best possible result.'
  • 'Geraint Tilsley has worked with us on multiple acquisitions and has helped us identify ways to get our company what we need in terms of deal structure, while making it something that is palatable for the acquired companies. We really value and appreciate the work he has put in to understand our stance and come up with unique structures to accomodate.'

Key clients

  • CECO Environmental Corporation (US)
  • BGF Investments (UK)
  • 365 Retail Markets LLC (US) and its private equity sponsor Providence Equity Partners (US)
  • Terryberry LLC (US) and its private equity sponsor Tenex Capital Partners (US)
  • Sopra Steria (France)
  • John Bean Technologies Corporation (US)
  • NextNet Media and its private equity sponsor Clearview Capital (US)
  • Mercia Fund Management Limited (UK)
  • Valeo Group (France)
  • Star Global Innovation (US and Denmark)

Work highlights

  • Advised CECO Environmental Corporation (CECO) (a US industrial group listed on NASDAQ) on its acquisition of Malvar Engineering Limited, which is the holding company for engineering business Wakefield Acoustics Limited.
  • Advised BGF (the UK’s largest mid-market equity investor) on its further investment in portfolio company Victorian House Window Group Limited, to facilitate the founder’s exit and help fund the next phase of growth.
  • Advised NNM and its private equity sponsor Clearview on the acquisition of Edinburgh-based tech business Paradigm Digital Limited (trading as LinkBuilder), a search engine optimisation business.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Geraint Tilsley

Other key lawyers

Elizabeth Cotton