Global law firm Ashurst announces it is appointing Ian Keefe, Michael Miranda and George Weavil as partners in the corporate practice, based in London, as the firm continues to expand its global private capital team.
Ian has over 15 years' experience advising on complex international private equity and M&A transactions. He is a trusted adviser to financial sponsors, corporates, founders, management teams and portfolio companies and has extensive experience across the full lifecycle of sponsor-backed M&A events, including buy-outs, structured equity and minority investments.
Michael has been acting for private equity investors since 2010 and has vast experience in a wide variety of UK, European and transatlantic transactions, including in particular mid-market buyouts and growth capital investments. He also acts for corporates, portfolio companies, founders and management teams, and has worked across a broad range of sectors, with significant experience in technology.
George has extensive experience advising on sponsor-backed transactions. His clients include alternative asset managers, institutional investors, corporates, senior management teams, founders and portfolio companies, to whom he acts as a trusted adviser on international M&A transactions, leveraged buy-outs, co-investments, reorganisations, restructurings and management incentive schemes.
Jason Radford, Global Head of Corporate, said: "Private capital remains a priority industry for the firm, and George, Michael and Ian are integral to our continued momentum, and I am delighted they have chosen to join us. They each bring an exceptional depth of experience and will help us capitalise on opportunities across the full spectrum of sponsor-backed transactions, from buyouts to exits and everything in between."
Paul Jenkins, global CEO commented: "The European private equity market is entering a new phase of growth, as firms look to deploy capital in increasingly sophisticated transactions. This highly regarded trio strengthens our private capital capability and enhances our ability to deliver integrated, cross border advice at a time when it matters most for our clients."
"We are delighted to welcome Michael, George and Ian to Ashurst", added Nick Williamson, Head of UK Corporate at Ashurst. "These appointments are a further demonstration of our ongoing investment in the growth of our UK private capital platform and follow the recent arrival in London of Heidi Blomqvist, Christy O'Connell and Amy Barker. They each bring a proven track record in the private equity space and a depth of industry knowledge which greatly complements our existing strengths, allowing us to further enhance our ability to serve key traditional and non-traditional PE clients from across the globe in relation to investments throughout the UK and Europe."
