Overview
James is a corporate partner based in London, with particular experience of advising corporate and financial institutions on a wide range of corporate transactions, incorporating IPOs and other equity capital markets transactions into his practice.
He has been instructed on all sides of IPO and equity capital markets transactions, including by corporates, private equity funds, shareholders and underwriting banks. He has been instrumental in bringing numerous IPOs successfully to market under a significantly more challenging regulatory environment following the 2008 financial crisis.
He also advises on general corporate matters including private and public M&A transactions.
James plays a pivotal role in the firms' relationships with some multinational corporates, and is recognised for his expertise advising a number of major investment banks.
He spent two years in the firm’s Dubai office between 2009 and 2011, during which time he advised on a range of high profile corporate transactions. In 2008, James also spent time in-house at Citi where he worked as part of the bank’s M&A team.
Work highlights
James has advised on many substantial IPOs in recent years. These include advising:
- ASA International on its 2018 London IPO
- RHI Magnesita on its 2017 redomicile and Listing on the London Stock Exchange
- TSB, TSB Banking Group and its parent, Lloyds Banking Group, on the IPO and separation of TSB
- Allied Irish Banks (AIB) on its reprivatisation and IPO
- Countryside Properties and its main shareholder, Oaktree, on its 2016 IPO
- RAC and its shareholder, The Carlyle Group, on its dual-track IPO/sale process
- the underwriting banks on the IPOs of Clydesdale Bank, ContourGlobal, Royal Mail and Direct Line
Amongst many M&A deals, James has advised:
- Swiss Re's ReAssure business on its £1.6bn acquisition of Guardian Life
- Citi on its global asset management merger with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
- Lloyds Banking Group on a range of strategic divestments
Professional experience
James is a regular contributor to publications, most recently writing on the issue of market abuse for complianceweek.com, IR magazine and Futures and Options World.
Education and qualifications
James studied Classics at New College, Oxford University.
