“Practical, down to earth and with a lot of ingenuity.”
Chambers Global 2021
For decades, companies in need of UK and cross-border corporate finance and M&A have relied on Derek Jones. Known for his intellectually creative approach and relentless commitment to each client's success, Derek finds ideal solutions to highly complex problems. He guides tech and energy companies through business-critical acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, reorganisations, takeovers, mergers and demergers and equity issues.
As co-lead of the firm's Energy Tech Practice, Derek helps clients in this rapidly evolving industry stay ahead of the curve. He advises on crucial legal developments and delivers training to various corporate boards.
Related Experience
Technology
- Liberty Media Corporation – Advised on the acquisition of its interest in Formula One, the iconic global motorsports business, from a consortium of sellers led by CVC Capital Partners (Transatlantic Legal Awards 2017 - Transatlantic M&A Team of the Year (Large Deals))
- International technology company – sale of technology company
- U.S. cable operator – acquisition of a strategic stake in the largest Belgian cable operator
- U.S. cable operator – acquisition and disposal of the largest French cable operator
- International media company – investments in UK mobile, Internet and broadcast content providers
- International media company – group reorganisation
- Establishment of international PR business as a UK LLP
- Sale of software products business
- Multilateral financial institution – disposal of interest in provider of fixed broadband access, digital television and IP telephony
- Merger and demerger of leading UK media group
- International engineering company – long-term technology agreement
Energy & Natural Resources
- Leading petrochemical company – joint venture arrangements
- Leading U.S. oilfield services company – purchase of global business from pre-pack administration
- Leading U.S. oilfield services company – purchase of UK geomodelling company
- Numerous joint venture arrangements for leading U.S. oilfield services companies
- Advice on UK redomestication of U.S. energy and petrochemicals businesses
- Purchases of jack-up drilling units
- Natural resources company – group restructuring
- Pre-IPO sale of interest in steel manufacturer
- AIM listing of resources company
- Development bank – AIM listed company exploration/drilling programme
- Multilateral financial institution – investment in biofuel company
- International engineering company – disposal of industrial gas turbines division
- Purchase of terminal storage facility
- Multilateral financial institution – corporate restructuring of leading petrochemical company
- Leading chemicals group – corporate restructuring
- Leading coal producer – acquisition of UK company holding significant coal deposits
- Multilateral financial institution – restructuring of interest in a leading electricity company
- International engineering company – disposal of industrial gas turbines division
Financial Services
- Multilateral financial institutions – acquisitions and disposals of interests in numerous banks
- Multilateral financial institution – advice on equity investments in multiple banks
- Sale of speciality finance business in Australia, the UK and Spain to a newly created fund and subsequent exit from the fund
- Sale of international investment bank
- Equity derivatives joint venture
Hospitality
- Restaurant franchise in the Middle East
- Pre-IPO preparation for international hotel chain
- Acquisition by way of scheme of arrangement of international hotel group
- Reorganisation of ownership and management of hotel business within paired share REIT structure
- Joint venture in relation to major London hotel
- Disposal of hotel chain
Other Private International M&A
- Multilateral financial institution – equity investment into large pharmaceutical business
- Multilateral financial institution – debt to equity swap in relation to a retail network
- Multilateral financial institution – debt to equity swap of investment in a leading real estate development group
Other Public International M&A
- Listing, placing and bond issue on the London Stock Exchange
- Bidders, lenders and shareholders and interested third parties on hostile and recommended takeovers, by tender offer and scheme of arrangement, governed by the UK Takeover Code
- Acquisition of major U.S. beverage producer for UK listed client
- Two IPOs on the Saudi Arabian Stock Exchange (Tadawul)
Awards & Community
Named a "Stand-Out Lawyer" by Thomson Reuters, 2023-2024
Recognised in Chambers Global, 2016-2022, for Corporate/M&A in Russia - EBA (Expert Based Abroad)
Listed in Chambers Global, 2016 & 2017, for UK: Corporate/M&A as a "Foreign Expert for Russia"
Recommended in The Legal 500 UK, (Tier 3) 2021 for Corporate & Commercial Lower Mid-Market and 2014-2018 for Corporate M&A: Mid-Market
News
CDT Roundup: 17 Deals, 13 Firms, 137 Lawyers, $6.8B
Texas Lawbook, TheTexas Lawbook, The
Baker Botts Advises SHUAA Partners Acquisition Corp I in its Initial Public Offering
UK Lawyers Prep For More SPAC Work After Rules Change
Law360Law360
TransPerfect's Acquisition of Semantix
Global Legal ChronicleGlobal Legal Chronicle
Baker Botts Represents TransPerfect in its Acquisition of Semantix
UK Looks Determined To Grab A Larger Share Of SPACs
Law360Law360
M&A, merger control and COVID-19
Financier Worldwide - OnlineFinancier Worldwide - Online
Baker Botts Highlights Brexit and other International Challenges for 2020
Thought Leadership
PISCES: An Innovative Step Forward for the UK's Role as a Global Financial Services Centre
Client UpdatesPublic and Private Support for Clean Energy Companies in the UK
Client UpdatesEnergy Update
Spring Budget 2023: Chancellor Introduces Incentives for Tech Investments in the UK
Client UpdatesThe Road to Decarbonisation Paved by ESG
External ArticlePractical Guidance
NFTs - The Hurdles to Regulatory Approval
Client UpdatesProposed Reform of UK Crowdfunding
Client UpdatesCorporate Update
FCA Changes to the London SPAC-Listing Regime
Client UpdatesAll Back to the Office? Q&As on the Updated Legal Framework for Return to Work in the UK
Client UpdatesEaster Eggs: Overlooked Issues in Video Game M&A
Client UpdatesAntitrust Update
UK Government Proposals for Greater Board Accountability Under New ESG Whitepaper
Client UpdatesESG Update
The Unstoppable Rise of Contactless Payments
Client UpdatesCorporate Update
Financial Conduct Authority’s Future Consultation on SPACs
Client UpdatesThe UK Opens the Door to SPACs
Client UpdatesCorporate Update
Extended Virtual M&A Primer Series
WebinarUK M&A and National Security - the Government's Proposed New Screening Powers
Client UpdatesUK SPACs
Yes Business Can - Start Up, Scale Up, Go Global
External ArticleThe Challenges of Signing Documents During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Updated Content Included Client UpdatesCorporate Update
New rules on Government Intervention to Protect Takeovers of UK Businesses
Client UpdatesCorporate Update
M&A, Merger Control and COVID-19
WebinarUK Government Future Fund For Innovative Companies May 2020 Update
Client UpdatesCorporate Update
M&A, Merger Control and COVID -19
External ArticleFinancier Worldwide
UK Government Future Fund for Innovation Companies
Client UpdatesCorporate Update
COVID-19 - Force Majeure and Material Adverse Change Clauses
Client UpdatesLitigation Update
Covid-19: Staying Safe as a Start-Up
Client UpdatesCorporate Update