Richard Cranfield
Partner
London
Richard Cranfield
Partner
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
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)
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.
News & insights
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…
Read more
Publications: 14 DECEMBER 2020
Webinar: The science led trends that will shape global markets in the next decade
A&O recently co-hosted two webinars with Stonehaven and the Alan Turing Institute on the science led trends that will shape global markets in the next decade.
Read more
Publications: 08 DECEMBER 2020
With Brexit proper fast approaching, UK listed issuers of shares need to ensure they are prepared for the end of the transition period.
Read more
Publications: 05 AUGUST 2020
Will climate change go up the boardroom agenda following Covid-19?
We believe that the global Covid-19 pandemic will lead to society at large taking climate change much more seriously. While parts of the business and financial community, and governments and…
Read more