Ian Johnson

Ian heads our Restructuring and Insolvency group and is also the Co-Head of Financing. He advises across the full spectrum of restructuring, refinancing and insolvency matters. He has significant experience advising companies (and their boards), lenders, investors and buyers on complex and international restructuring and distressed situations. Ian also frequently advises governments, central banks and insolvency practitioners.

Ian sits on the City of London Law Society’s Insolvency Committee. He is ranked Band 1 in Chambers UK, 2027 which says that “he is a market-leading operator. The work he does, because of the client base he has, is fantastic.” He is also listed as a “Leading Individual” by the Legal 500, 2027, and is a "Market Leader" in the IFLR 1000, 2027. 

Highlights:

• TG Jones on its holistic restructuring, which was implemented by way of inter-conditional Part 26A restructuring plans despite opposition from certain landlords.
• Fortress on the restructuring of its portfolio company Poundstretcher, successfully implemented through Part 26A restructuring plan and involving the provision of emergency funding by Fortress.
• Synthomer plc, an LSE-listed speciality chemical company, on the refinancing of its existing RCF and UKEF facilities.
• The Official Receiver in respect of the liquidation of entities connected with the Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery.
• Valaris plc, an industry leading offshore drilling service provider that operates one of the largest global fleets in the sector on its ongoing restructuring through Chapter 11. Approximately $7.1 billion of debt facilities were restructured under the matter and it represented a comprehensive financial restructuring.
• Seadrill Limited, one of the world’s largest oil contractors, on two comprehensive Chapter 11 restructurings which involved restructuring billions of dollars of bank and bond debt.
• Interserve plc, one of the world’s leading support services and construction groups, on the development and implementation of a deleveraging plan designed to reduce the group’s debt by approximately £485 million and provide £110 million of fresh liquidity.
• The Board of Thomas Cook Group plc, in connection with the proposed recapitalisation plan, the liquidation of Thomas Cook Group plc and the subsequent parliamentary inquiry.
• Credit Suisse, in relation to the financial restructuring of Danaos Corporation.
• Carillion, in relation to its restructuring efforts, as well as the Official Receiver and Special Managers (PwC) in connection with the sale of certain businesses.
• HM Treasury, the Central Bank of Cyprus, the Irish Government and the Portuguese Ministry of Finance in connection with the financial crisis and bank resolution and recapitalisation options.
• Cineworld, one of the largest cinema chains in the world, on its financial restructuring, including the successful emergence of entities making up its US and UK and Irish businesses (together, the “Chapter 11 Companies”) from their Chapter 11 cases and the pre-packaged administration of Cineworld Group plc.
• Next plc on the acquisition out of administration of the majority of the assets of Joules by a newly formed joint venture (“JVCo”) between NEXT and Tom Joule, for cash consideration of £34 million. NEXT owns 74% of the equity in JVCo with the remaining 26% owned by Tom Joule. In addition, NEXT has acquired the current Head Office of Joules for £7 million in cash.

"Ian is among the best insolvency lawyers in London. He has built a terrific team and is among the coolest-under-pressure lawyers in the business."  - Chambers 2027, Restructuring and Insolvency

"Ian Johnson's considered and highly collaborative style makes him stand out as one of the go-to restructuring lawyers in the City."  - Legal 500 2027, Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency

"Ian Johnson is incredibly present and he is always spot on with his advice." - Chambers 2026, Restructuring and Insolvency