James Down

Partner

Manchester

About me

I’m a partner in the Corporate team, specialising in private equity-backed transactions and mergers and acquisitions. I act for private equity houses on platform investments and bolt-on acquisitions, and support management teams and shareholders throughout the investment lifecycle.

I also advise corporates and owner-managed businesses on share and asset acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and general corporate matters. 

Recent experience includes advising on investments for management teams and leading private equity houses such as Palatine, Waterland and Seneca, as well as strategic acquisitions for portfolio companies. My commercial, pragmatic approach appeals to clients, as does my focus on unlocking complex deal issues with innovative solutions. 

I take pride in offering a responsive, partner-led service, which has been described as ‘truly exceptional.’ I enjoy the pace and variety of transactional work, and the satisfaction of helping ambitious businesses grow.

My experience

  • Acting for Leonard Curtis and its management team on an investment from Arete and Svella (and Arete and Svella’s exit to Pollen Street Capital).
  • Acting for Waterland Private Equity on its investments in Cumbria Waste and Cawood Scientific.
  • Acting for Fox Brothers and its management team on an investment from Stellex.
  • Acting for the shareholders of D2 Global on its sale to Quadrant Private Equity backed TSA Riley.
  • Acting for Cura Terrae (backed by Palatine Private Equity) on the acquisition of Enviro Technology Services and EnviroCentre.
  • Acting for the shareholders of Doff Portland on their sale to Pamplona Capital Management backed Pelsis Group.

More about me