Jonathan Watkins has over 25 years’ experience of helping clients with all aspects of corporate work. He focuses on acquisitions and disposals, investments (acting for both management teams and corporates) and general corporate advisory work, including group reorganisations.
He has particular experience in the technology, professional services and manufacturing industries, and prides himself on bringing a practical and proactive approach to all transactions on which he advises.
Recent examples of Jonathan’s work include advising Moneypenny Group on its MBO, led by ECI, acting for the founders and managers, and Mobysoft Group on its secondary MBO, acting for sellers and management. He has also recently advised MeetingZone Limited on the secondary buyout by GMT Communications and subsequent sale to Loop Up Group, acting for the vendors/management team.
Jonathan has 7 years’ experience on the International Board of DLA Piper as an elected member and non-executive. He chairs DLA Piper’s Remuneration and Tax Committees and is a member of the Audit Committee. These roles have given him hands-on insight into strategic decision-making and the benefit of strong corporate governance at board level, in addition to the financial and tax aspects of the transactions on which he advises.
Moneypenny Group on its MBO, led by ECI, acting for the founders and managers
Mobysoft Group on its secondary MBO, acting for sellers and management
MeetingZone Limited on the secondary buyout by GMT Communications and subsequent sale to Loop Up Group, acting for the vendors and management team
Payzone Group on the sale of its bill payments business
Keoghs Group on its MBO led by Lloyds Development Capital and subsequent sale to Davies Group Limited
Willows Veterinary Group on the sale to Vet Partners Limited, acting for the partner vendors
CVS on its sale to Altus Group, acting for the sellers
Crawford Healthcare Group on its sale to Accelity Group, acting for the sellers
ATG Access Group on its sale to Hill & Smith, acting for the vendors
Specialist Hire Group on over 10 corporate transactions, including the acquisition of Rushlift Mechanical Handling and Marsden Crane Hire and the sale of the group to Doosan Corporation
SRL Traffic Systems Group on the MBO of SRL Traffic backed by LDC, acting for minority sellers and management
INEOS Group on the sale of its Paraform and Melamines business to Prefere Resin
Tenmat Group on its GBP70 million sale to Diamorph AB, acting for the vendors
Education
Awards and recognitions
Band 1 lawyer, Corporate/M&A: Mid-Market and Private Equity, North West, Chambers UK 2016-22
Hall of Fame, Corporate and Commercial, The Legal 500 UK 2018-22
