Richard Cranfield
Consultant
London
Richard Cranfield
Consultant
London
Contact Details
Richard is global chairman of A&O's Corporate practice and co-head of A&O's financial institutions group. He has over 30 years' experience in mergers and acquisitions, and in capital markets (both international and domestic) for equity financings. His corporate client base includes FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies and banks in the UK and large public and private corporations and financial institutions outside the UK.
"Richard is particularly strong in his technical abilities and his understanding of how legal matters relate to real business issues and situations - giving strong legal and pragmatic support" - Legal 500 UK 2021 (Corporate Governance)
Market commentators describe Richard as an "excellent relationship partner who continues to roll up his sleeves". Chambers UK 2016 (Corporate/M&A)
Clients enthuse Richard is "bright and practical" and "has a very good way of settling the nerves of the board". Chambers UK 2014 (Corporate/M&A)
Clients say "What he does not know is not worth knowing … boards take real comfort from his assurances on a deal, such is his gravitas and knowledge". Chambers UK 2011 (Corporate/M&A)
Other noteworthy experience includes advising:
- BT on the sale of its Spanish managed ICT services business to Portobello Capital.
- Electra Private Equity on its strategic review, formal sale process and GBP119m sale of its non-controlled assets, PhotoBox and Knights Square, to Lexington Partners.
- HarbourVest Partners on its GBP1bn hostile bid for SVG Capital and subsequent asset purchase.
- Hiscox on its £375m capital raise in May 2020.
- Kuwait Energy on its USD650m acquisition by United Energy Group by way of Jersey scheme of arrangement.
- Loxam on its GBP60m acquisition of UK Platforms HSS Hire Group.
- Loxam on its GBP459m recommended cash offer for Lavendon Group.
- Volcan Investments on its proposed acquisition of a significant stake in Anglo American for GBP2bn and the proposed issue of the associated mandatory exchangeable bond into Anglo American shares.
- Worldpay on its GBP9bn merger with Vantiv.
- WPP on the USD3.1bn sale of a 60% stake in Kantar to Bain Capital.
Qualifications
Professional
Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 1980
Admitted as solicitor, Ireland, 2018
Academic
MA Economics (Pt I), Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge University, 1978
MA Law (Pt II), Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge University, 1978
Experience highlights
Associated British Foods (ABF) on its acquisition of Acetum's group, the leading Italian producer of the well-known PGI-certified Balsamic Vinegar of Modena (BVM) from private equity firm Clessidra SGR.
Great Portland Estates on its return of capital by B share scheme, with associated consolidation of ordinary share capital.
Hiscox on the Brexit-related restructuring of its business, including setting up a new European subsidiary in Luxembourg (Hiscox S.A.) and business transfer, by way of a court approved scheme pursuant to Part Vii of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA).
Advising HSBC on its retail ring-fencing project.
Qualifications
Professional
Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 1980
Admitted as solicitor, Ireland, 2018
Academic
MA Economics (Pt I), Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge University, 1978
MA Law (Pt II), Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge University, 1978
Fraudulent emails
Please note there is a known inheritance related fraud/scam currently using the Allen & Overy brand and Richard Cranfield’s name.
More information on fraud using the Allen & Overy brand can be found here.
Recognition
an excellent relationship partner who continues to roll up his sleeves.
Chambers UK 2016 (Corporate/M&A)
What he does not know is not worth knowing … boards take real comfort from his assurances on a deal, such is his gravitas and knowledge.
Chambers UK 2011 (Corporate/M&A)
has a very good way of settling the nerves of the board
Chambers UK 2014 (Corporate/M&A)
bright and practical
Chambers UK 2014 (Corporate/M&A)
News & insights
Publications: 09 NOVEMBER 2021
Podcast: Perspectives on the future of banking - In conversation with e-commerce pioneer Nick Ogden
This podcast series features topical conversations with leading figures in the global banking industry about current and emerging strategic issues facing banks.
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News: 28 OCTOBER 2021
A&O advising River and Mercantile Group plc on the sale of its UK Solutions business
Allen & Overy is advising River and Mercantile Group plc (RMG) on the sale of its UK Solutions business to a subsidiary of the Schroders Group, Schroders International Holdings Limited, for GBP230…
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Publications: 25 JUNE 2021
Webinar: Stimulating innovation through technology-driven solutions
A&O recently co-hosted two webinars with Stonehaven on stimulating innovation through technology-driven solutions.
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Publications: 29 JANUARY 2021
UK Regulation post-Brexit - Adjusting to the landscape for UK equity capital market participants
With the EU and the UK having reached a free trade agreement which sets out a framework for the substantial agreements to be put in place to govern their future relationship and the UK having left the…
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