Investment Funds: Private Equity: Secondaries
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 7329 4422About
Provided by Stephenson Harwood LLP
We are a tier 1, award winning funds team advising both listed and private fund managers across the full spectrum of asset classes.
Our expertise includes:
- investment fund launches both listed and private
- complex secondary transactions, fund restructurings, mergers and reorganisations
- corporate/LLP work for funds and managers including sponsor stake sales
- investment into funds for cornerstone and strategic buyer
- investor due diligence and negotiations
- investment management agreements, distribution agreements, administration agreements and custody agreements
- outsourcing
- regulatory issues
- fund manager incentivisation
- tax structuring advice
- litigation and contentious support
In addition to our specialist investment funds team, we are able to draw on the skills and experience of our corporate, tax, projects and real estate colleagues to provide the tailored service a specialist fund requires.
We provide our funds services in Europe and Asia principally through our offices in the international financial centres of London, Paris and Hong Kong.
Chambers Review
Stephenson Harwood boasts an impressive deal flow, combined with an enviable client list and a deep bench of specialists, which justifies a strong international reputation for both its closed-ended listed funds group and private equity secondaries team. It acts for the bulge bracket investment banks, brokers and investment trusts on listings, placings and complex secondary offerings. The firm enjoys plaudits for its distinguished GP-led transactional practice, in addition to its renowned investor-side prowess. The team is also well versed in real estate fund matters and has notable regulatory expertise.
Work Highlights
- Regarding closed-ended funds, Stephenson Harwood acted for Custodian Property Income REIT on its recommended merger with abrdn Property Income Trust.
- Regarding investor representation, Stephenson Harwood advised Kline Hill Partners as an investor into Preservation Capital Partners Strategic Opportunities I LP.
- Regarding secondaries, Stephenson Harwood acted for Ufenau Capital Partners on the sale of portfolio companies Kanalservice, GarLa and Hanseatic Power Service.
- Regarding real estate funds, Stephenson Harwood advised Mayfair Capital Thematic Growth Fund on the acquisition of a portfolio of self-storage real estate assets.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team are exceptionally knowledgeable and professional. They are always responsive, practical with their advice and highly dependable."
"Stephenson Harwood boasts a rare combination of deep private equity competencies, strong commercial astuteness and a daring for innovative solutions to complex situations."
"Stephenson Harwood are great at guiding you through the legal process and bring a great deal of commercial advice to the transaction."
"The Stephenson Harwood team are very experienced, responsive, practical and provide commercial advice."
"They have strong knowledge and a highly experienced team. They are very proactive and hands-on."
"The team are exceptionally knowledgeable and professional. They are always responsive, practical with their advice and highly dependable."
"Stephenson Harwood boasts a rare combination of deep private equity competencies, strong commercial astuteness and a daring for innovative solutions to complex situations."
"Stephenson Harwood are great at guiding you through the legal process and bring a great deal of commercial advice to the transaction."
"The Stephenson Harwood team are very experienced, responsive, practical and provide commercial advice."
"They have strong knowledge and a highly experienced team. They are very proactive and hands-on."
Notable Practitioners
Gabriel Boghossian is head of Stephenson Harwood's private funds and secondaries practice. He advises financial services clients and investment authorities on managing their investment decisions. He is able to provide expert guidance on cornerstone investments and complex GP-led and LP-led secondary transactions.
"Gabriel knows the industry and market better than anyone else."
"Gabriel's experience is invaluable in handling complex situations. He is a great negotiator and has very strong commercial vision."
"Gabriel is very knowledgeable and very client-driven, consistently providing great service to his clients."
"Gabriel is always great with his clients and is very knowledgeable and commercially astute."
"Gabriel is a stellar negotiator who knows the market very well."
Sarah de Ste Croix is recognised for her prowess assisting top European clients with fundraising and secondary transactions, both GP-led and LP-led. She has additional expertise in bespoke fund restructuring.
"Sarah is extremely competent, intelligent, commercial and professional. She delivers great advice to us as clients, and her team is top notch."
"Sarah's relentless focus, deep experience and negotiation abilities are instrumental to achieving optimal outcomes for clients."
"Sarah is a phenomenal lawyer who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty to get things done. She is very commercial and has a knack for finding ways to bridge gaps when issues reach an impasse."
"Sarah is very experienced and knowledgeable. Market-savvy with a commercial mindset, Sarah is a thorough and effective negotiator."
William Saunders is head of funds and financial services at Stephenson Harwood. He advises on the structuring and launch of listed funds and investment trusts. He also assists clients with mergers and takeovers.
"William's advice is very highly rated."
"William is commercial, knows the sector inside out and is good in contentious situations."
"William has huge experience, acumen, commerciality and provides good client care."
"William is one of the superstars and is excellent."
Alex Haynes advises investment trusts, sponsors and bookrunners on a range of closed-ended fund matters. His areas of expertise include fund establishment, listings and stock migrations.
"Alex is fantastic: he's extremely knowledgeable about the sector, thoroughly reliable in his advice, extremely responsive and always willing to go the extra mile."
"If I was going to say who probably does the most deals in this market and is very well respected, I would mention Alex."
"Alex is a good operator."
Nick Horton regularly assists clients with restructuring, share issuances, IPOs and transactional matters for closed-ended listed funds.
"Nick is very good to deal with and brings a good deal of commercial sense and experience to the table."
"I am very impressed with Nick. He is very knowledgeable and responsive. A pleasure to work with."
Kate Longman is a specialist in closed-ended investment funds. She represents clients in IPOs, secondary issues and reorganisations.
"Kate is always reliable and provides excellent advice."
"She knows her stuff and just gets on with the job in a no-fuss manner. I can rely on Kate to deliver."
Ranked Lawyers at
Stephenson Harwood LLP
UK-wide
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