Overview
Richard has an M&A practice which is both domestic and cross border. He is particularly renowned for his expertise on the UK Takeover Code. Richard is ranked Band 1 in the Chambers directory for Corporate/M&A.
For public takeover work, his client base encompasses quoted companies, financial sponsors and funds. Richard was instrumental in setting the market norms for electronic acceptance of all UK takeovers. Richard also regularly advises public companies on board governance, shareholder activism, private M&A and demergers.
Richard also provides comprehensive advice on the FCA Listing Rules, Disclosure and Transparency Rules (DTRs), the Prospectus Rules and the AIM Rules. Richard is recognised in the Hall of Fame by The Legal 500 in Equity Capital Markets.
Work highlights
Recent representative transactions include:
- Lok’nStore Group plc on its takeover offer by Shurgard
- Inflexion on its £342m recommended offer for DWF
- Numis Corporation plc on its £410m recommended offer by Deutsche Bank AG
- SARIA on its £540m recommended offer for Devro plc
- EMIS Group plc on its £1.24 billion recommended offer by a subsidiary of UnitedHealth
- Ideagen plc on its £1.058 billion recommended offer by Hg, and possible offer from Astorg.
- Noble Corporation on its $4 billion combination with Maersk Drilling and redomicile to the UK.
- Inflexion on the £535m sale of Marley Group plc to Marshalls plc.
- Mears Group plc on its class 1 disposal of Terraquest Solutions Limited and acquisition of the Mitie Group maintenance services business.
- Macquarie on the £1.822 billion acquisition of SSP/Moto
Professional experience
Richard sat for many years on the Company Law Committee of the City of London Law Society.
As well as corporate M&A advice, Richard has advised Fintechs (e.g. WorldRemit, Ebury) on growth-stage founding rounds and investment banks on cash confirm/sponsor/nomad and underwriter roles.
Education and qualifications
Richard has an MA in Jurisprudence from Oxford University.
