Derek Jones

Department Chair - Corporate (London) Partner

[email protected]

London

P: +44.20.7726.3438
F: +44.20.7726.3538
Derek Jones

“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

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