James has a broad corporate practice, advising on public and private M&A activity, joint ventures, equity capital market and private fundraising transactions across the world. He also has particular expertise in advising large listed and private companies on corporate governance, risk management and other general strategic advisory matters.
James has a particular focus in the Tech sector, and is co-head of our cross-practice Technology Group. He advises Tech clients of all sizes, from start-ups through to late-stage growth companies and large listed Tech companies.
James has been recognised in Legal 500 as a Next Generation Partner, with client testimonials noting he “showed extreme versatility, and demonstrated full command over every nuanced detail; he was always responsive and on the ball” and describing him as “highly relatable but a clear thinker with quiet confidence”.
Tech Sector Highlights
- Equinix on various transactions, including its expansion into Africa through the $320m acquisition of MainOne, its transformational £2.35bn acquisition of Telecity, the $874.4m sale of eight European assets to Digital Realty and its $93m acquisition of Zenium’s data centre business in Istanbul
- Vodafone on various transactions including its €18.4 billion acquisition of Liberty Global’s business in Germany and certain CEE countries and the €5bn disposal of its Spanish business
- Credit Karma, one of the world’s highest valued fintech companies, on its first move into Europe with its acquisition of Noddle, an online consumer credit scoring service
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Inflexion on the proposed £430m acquisition of Marlowe plc’s Governance, Risk & Compliance software and services assets
- A leading data centre investment fund on various acquisitions in Germany, France, Switzerland and Scandinavia
- A number of major payment services providers across the UK and Europe
- Videndum on its £125 million equity capital raising
- A leading online travel agency on various matters
- Various early-stage growth clients on fundraisings, including Sidequest on its Series A fundraising led by Google Ventures
Key Listed Company Experience
- Schroders on its acquisition of an initial 75% shareholding in Greencoat Capital, its £230 million acquisition of River and Mercantile Group, the simplification of its dual class share structure and various corporate governance and advisory matters
- Reckitt on the sale of its Infant Formula and Child Nutrition business in China to Primavera for $2.2 billion, its £1 billion share buyback programme and various corporate governance and advisory matters
- RSA on its £7.2bn acquisition by Intact and Tryg
- Mediclinic International on its acquisition by Remgro and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company
- Homeserve on its £4.1bn acquisition by Brookfield Infrastructure
- Rolls Royce on its £5bn recapitalisation plan, including its £2bn rights issue
- Kelsian on its possible offer for Go-Ahead Group
- The Restaurant Group on its £57m equity placing