Jocelyn Ormond > Ashfords LLP > Bristol, England > Lawyer Profile

With demonstrable experience in the technology, energy, healthcare and financial services sectors, the ‘pragmatic and practical’ team at Ashfords LLP advises on cross-border M&A, management buy-outs and buy-ins, and corporate restructuring mandates. Rory Suggett leads the team and specialises in venture and growth capital fundraisings, in addition to private equity transactions, while Jocelyn Ormond focuses on M&A in the healthcare and life sciences, and financial services sectors. Chris Dyson, who spearheads the firm’s technology sector practice, is another key contact in the group.

With an expertise that spans a large number of sectors including digital health, agritech and fintech, Ashfords LLP is praised for its ‘friendly, flexible and approachable team’. The firm’s strengths lie in advising on IT outsourcing projects as well as investments in the technology sector alongside handling commercial contracts and licensing. Chris Dyson heads the team and fields particular experience in relation to investment and M&A matters, while Suzie Miles‘ advisory portfolio includes IT transformation and software licensing. Another key member of the team is Jocelyn Ormond, who is noted for her focus on digital health and fintech investments. The firm was joined by Tom Llewellyn in May 2023, a litigation partner formerly at RWK Goodman.

Representing a diverse blend of NHS trusts, GP practices, charities, private providers, and individuals, Ashfords LLP‘s healthcare and life sciences practice is prominent for advising on investments and M&A, handling court of protections proceedings, and providing property and employment advice across the South West. The team has also been active in a number of mandates surrounding digital health investments, an area bolstered by the firm’s venture capital practice. Transaction and private equity expert Jocelyn Ormond and health and charity real estate specialist Ben Tarrant lead the department from Bristol. Dividing her time between Exeter and Taunton, Katie Webber is particularly noteworthy for her experience in court of protection proceedings, with Exeter’s Kirsty Cooke being a key port of call for employment and immigration mandates. In the digital health space, Bristol-based senior associate Brett Lambe is of note.

Co-headed by the ‘available and supportive’ Chris Dyson and Rory Suggett, the Bristol-based Ashfords LLP team has considerable experience representing both domestic and international funds and companies in transactions ranging from venture debt to complex financing rounds. Particularly active in the e-commerce and finance spheres, Dyson specialises in assisting corporations in European and US cross-border investments and exits, whilst Suggett is particularly knowledgeable on high-value syndicated growth transactions. From Exeter, Andrew Betteridge primarily supports growth businesses, and the Bristol-based Jocelyn Ormond is an expert in the digital health and life science sectors.