James Smethurst

Freshfields is advising Aon plc, a leading global professional services firm, on the acquisition of UK insurance broker Griffiths & Armour (‘G&A’), following which G&A will become wholly-owned by Aon UK Limited. Griffiths & Armour has established a market-leading presence from their base in the north of England as well as a strong national and international reputation. With around 200 employees, Griffiths & Armour are known for their specialist expertise in professional indemnity insurance and strength in general insurance broking. The Freshfields team in London advising on the transaction was led by partner George Swan, senior associate Maria Zaitseva and associate Danyela van der Sande. Partner James Smethurst advised on regulatory matters, partner Martin McElwee advised on antitrust matters, partner Dawn Heath led on pensions, partner Ali Sallaway on litigation matters and partner Paul Davison on tax issues. Matheson LLP advised Aon plc as to issues of Irish law.

Nov 6

1 min

Global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) is advising Cinven on its majority investment in Alter Domus, a leading global provider of end-to-end tech-enabled fund administration and corporate services across private equity, real assets, and private debt. Cinven will support the long-term strategic growth of Alter Domus, working in close partnership with Alter Domus’ founders and Permira. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The Freshfields team was led by private capital partners Victoria Sigeti and Alastair Brown and senior associate Jay Swain together with financing and capital markets partners Aled Batey and Haden Henderson. James Smethurst was the partner leading on financial regulatory matters, partner May Smith advised on tax matters, partner Martin McElwee on antitrust and partner David Mendel on employment and incentives. This latest acquisition carries on Freshfields’ long-standing relationship with Cinven, having recently advised Cinven on its investment in group.One and its acquisitions of Master Builders Solutions, Netceed and life insurer International Financial Group Limited.

Mar 5

1 min

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (“Freshfields”) is advising Warburg Pincus on its agreement to acquire Specialist Risk Group (“SRG”), an insurance intermediary, from HGGC and Specialist Risk Group’s management team. SRG was launched in January 2020 under the leadership of Group CEO Warren Downey and Group Deputy CEO Lee Anderson and currently employs over 600 people. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval. It is anticipated that Temasek, the Singapore-headquartered global investment company, and SRG management, will also invest in SRG alongside Warburg Pincus at closing of the transaction. The Freshfields team is being led by partners Patrick Ko and Alastair Brown, together with partners James Smethurst on financial services regulatory matters; Tom McGrath on competition aspects; May Smith on tax matters; Richard Lister on IP/IT matters; Ali Kirby-Harris on compliance matters; Holly Insley on employment matters; and Victoria Hills on real estate matters.

May 29

1 min

Freshfields is advising international private equity firm Cinven on its majority investment in Grant Thornton UK, one of the UK’s leading diversified professional services firms offering audit, tax, and advisory services. Founded in 1904, Grant Thornton is one of the UK’s largest professional services firms, with over 240 partners and 5,500 employees across more than 20 offices. Cinven’s investment will support Grant Thornton’s strategy to drive growth through technology enablement, talent development, and expanding its leadership in the professional services sector. The transaction is subject to partner ratification, regulatory approvals, and customary closing conditions. A cross-practice Freshfields team in London advising Cinven was led by private capital partners James Scott and Alastair Brown, with leveraged finance partner Aled Batey leading on debt financing. James Smethurst provided financial regulatory advice, while merger control and FDI matters were handled by Martin McElwee. Partner David Mendel advised on people and reward workstreams, Dawn Heath on pensions matters and May Smith led on tax matters.

Nov 21

1 min

Global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) is advising Hargreaves Lansdown plc (‘Hargreaves Lansdown’) on the recommended final cash acquisition by a consortium comprised of CVC Private Equity Funds, Nordic Capital XI Delta, SCSp (acting through its general partner, Nordic Capital XI Delta GP SARL) and Platinum Ivy B 2018 RSC Limited of the entire issued, and to be issued, share capital of Hargreaves Lansdown. Hargreaves Lansdown is the UK’s largest savings and investment platform for retail investors, with almost 1.9 million clients and £155.3 billion savings and investments, having been founded over 40 years ago. The acquisition values Hargreaves Lansdown at approximately £5.4 billion on a fully diluted basis and is expected to become effective in the first quarter of 2025, subject to conditions including the receipt of shareholder approval and certain regulatory approvals. The Freshfields team advising on the deal is being led by partners Claire Wills and Stephen Hewes, alongside counsel Meredith Bayley and associate Nikki Willson, and also includes partners Alice Greenwell, Martin McElwee, James Smethurst, May Smith, counsel Sam Withnall and associates Christopher Chan, Martin Dickson, Lily Hilton, Elizabeth Lien, Charles Smye, Brandon Thompson and Rhianna Thornton-Reid.

Aug 9

1 min