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Seth Jones

Partner

Seth specialises in M&A and advises clients on the full range of corporate transactions, including some of the highest profile M&A situations in recent years.

He has particular expertise in advising on strategically important transactions, often involving public companies and is one of the leading advisers in the UK in this area. Seth was previously seconded as a partner to act as the Secretary of the UK Takeover Panel for two years, during which time he regulated many M&A deals and was heavily involved in formulating Panel policy and takeover rules. Seth brings this insight as well as his extensive deal experience in helping clients navigate the heavily-regulated environment for UK M&A and make the right tactical decisions in the course of their most important transactions.

His recent experience includes advising Network International on the £2bn recommended offer for the company by a Brookfield-led consortium, OpenText Corporation on its £5bn recommended offer for Micro Focus International plc, Sampo and RMI on their £1.6bn joint cash offer for Hastings Insurance, Prosus on its £5.5bn contested bid for Just Eat, 21st Century Fox on its contested £25bn bid for Sky plc, HarbourVest on its innovative £1bn hostile bid for SVG Capital, Sanlam on the offer for Nucleus Financial and on its pan-African insurance JV with a global financial services provider and Dorilton Capital on its acquisition of the Williams F1 team. Seth also advised Worldpay on its £8bn merger with Vantiv, and Earthport plc on the contested offers for the company. He regularly helps the boards of major UK listed companies with their strategic M&A, as well as bid and activist defences.

Experience

Representative matters

Network International Holdings plc on the GBP2.2bn takeover offer by funds advised and/or managed by Brookfield and its consortium partners.

OpenText on its recommended USD6bn offer for Micro Focus plc.

Sanlam on its joint venture with Allianz to combine their current and future operations across Africa to create the largest pan-African non-banking financial services entity on the continent.

RMI and Sampo on their joint venture and bid for Hastings Insurance.

Published Work

  • Co-Author of "A Practitioner's Guide to the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers"
Recognition
Seth Jones’ experience is something that money can’t buy. No one else could have guided us through the transaction the way he did” and “Seth Jones is a key contact for public M&A, leading the team on many of the firm’s biggest instructions of the year.
Legal 500 (M&A) 2022
Seth is a very pragmatic and practical lawyer; he is adept at marrying technical legal requirements and commercial requirements" and "Seth Jones is an extremely technical and calm individual.
Chambers UK (M&A) 2023

Awards

  • Private equity deal of the year, IFLR Awards 2017, for HarbourVest's takeover of SVG Capital
  • TMT deal of the year: Open Text Corporation’s offer for Micro Focus plc

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 2002
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.