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Druces for Business

Banking and Finance

Druces’ banking and finance team offers expert advice on a broad range of transactions to a diverse client base.

Our legal services for Banking and Finance clients

Druces’ banking and financial services team focuses on an ever expanding variety of debt financings and private investments, providing expert legal services to both banks and non-bank lenders and financers, borrowers, sponsors, private equity, venture capital and portfolio companies. Our comprehensive expertise ensures that we are able to meet the diverse needs of our clients.

In terms of debt financings, we act on both sides in respect of leveraged finance, real estate finance, sharia compliant finance, acquisition finance, trade finance, fund finance and general corporate lending transactions.

When it comes to private investment, we act for VCs, PE, angels and portfolio companies in funding rounds ranging from seed rounds, through to series A, B, C and onward, along with follow-on rounds and co-investments rounds.

Our team is committed to client satisfaction and delivering the results our clients need and demand. Our approach is client-centric, focusing on understanding the unique requirements of each client and providing tailored solutions that drive successful transactions and outcomes.

Partner with us for top-tier legal services in the banking and financial services sectors.

Types of businesses we support

Our banking and finance team has a wealth of experience as a result of years in the City advising banks and other financial institutions; private equity, debt and hedge funds; Sharia’a finance institutions and significant corporate borrowers.

Legal 500 commentary

The firm’s practice is recommended in the 2022 edition for both Islamic Finance and Property Finance, particularly for our “ability to provide a bespoke service tailored to each client” as well as our “unrivalled sophistication, depth of experience and legal creativity”

Our banking and finance experience

Advised a banking syndicate on the refinancing of a European industrial group including subsidiaries in Italy, Germany and The Netherlands.
Advised a lender in relation to a receivables financing facility with a global telecoms operator.
Advised on a trade finance facility for an international steel manufacturer and related security in several jurisdictions.
Advised a leading name in the healthcare industry in connection with the acquisition of a healthcare business from an insolvent healthcare operator. The transaction involved a number of properties, the refinancing of the current debt structure by a new bank syndicate and the creation of a new business.
Advised a Middle East based group in connection with a Sharia’a compliant property financing for a London hotel development.

Who to Contact

ANTONY COTTON

Partner and Head of Banking & Finance

Antony leads the Banking and Financial Services Practice at Druces with a commitment to excellence and client satisfaction. With a wealth of experience and exceptional skill in navigating complex financial transactions, Antony brings a blend of commercial acumen and strategic insight to every deal.

With a firm belief that the key to client satisfaction lies in understanding the broader business context and anticipating the needs of his clients, Antony’s philosophy is to approach each transaction with a strategic mindset, always looking to deliver results efficiently and effectively, while fostering long-term relationships with his clients, built on trust and success.

Outside of work, Antony is a keen (though injury prone) runner and father of an 11 year old budding airline pilot.

CHRISTOPHER AXFORD

Head of Corporate

Christopher is the Head of Corporate and is a member of Druces Executive Committee which manages the firm’s direction and vision for the future. He deals with a broad range of corporate and commercial matters, including AIM and AQSE work, national and international joint ventures and group restructuring.

CLAIRE RIGBY

Partner, Corporate & Commercial

Claire is the newest partner to Druces’ banking and financial services team. With over a decade of experience, she has a proven track record of providing exceptional legal counsel to a diverse range of clients, including major financial institutions, investment banks, and corporate entities.

Claire is known for her strategic thinking, meticulous attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to her clients . She is a trusted advisor who combines deep industry knowledge with a pragmatic approach to problem-solving, achieving favorable outcomes for her clients.

When not practicing law, Claire enjoys travelling and reading, and is a keen amateur photographer.