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Druces for Business

Mergers, Acquisitions and Disposals

We advise on acquisitions, disposals and mergers, involving private and quoted companies and businesses, across a wide range of sectors.

Our M&A lawyers provide expert advice covering the whole process, from helping to identify potential targets or purchasers; managing the due diligence process and tax-efficient structuring, to financing and post-acquisition corporate restructuring.

Healthcare sector specialists

Our team have become leaders in the health and care sector, advising on many acquisitions and disposals of healthcare businesses and interests. Clients include medical charities, pharmaceutical companies, medical suppliers, care homes and more.

International M&A services

As well as our UK work, we are also able to assist clients on cross-border transactions and international work through our membership of the Alliance of Business Lawyers, a trusted international network of law firms.

Legal 500 commentary

We are ranked by Legal 500 for our M&A work. Practice Head Christopher Axford is noted for his “niche expertise in regulated businesses and Sharia’a compliant structuring work”, while Head of Banking & Financial Services Antony Cotton is recommended for fintech and early stage company M&A.

Recent work

We advised one of the UK’s leading care investment companies in connection with the acquisition of an English care home operator, operating four units in the South of England.
We advised a global software development company in connection with the UK aspects of an international group corporate restructuring exercise including a complex share exchange and intra-group debt and equity conversions.
We acted for a US energy company (and majority shareholders) in connection with a share sale and tender process involving a large number of UK shareholders.
We advised a UK plc in connection with the multi-million dollar sale of its app catalogue and intellectual property to a US software company.
We dealt with the complicated demerger of a multi-million pound family business. This was ultimately dealt with by way of an s110 arrangement including the acquisition by two SPVs of the shares and assets of the family holding company.

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.