Venture Capital
United Kingdom
01 September 2025
Praised for its ‘strong mix of technical capability, commercial understanding, and sector relevance’, the team at Osborne Clarke LLP works across the full range of financial regulatory disciplines, representing challenger banks, consumer finance providers, fintechs, investment platforms, wealth managers, and payments services providers. The team is jointly headed by Noline Matemera and Chris Ratcliffe. Matemera draws on decades of specialist experience to advise banks, asset managers, intermediaries, including a niche client base of SIPP providers, on complex transactions, regulatory strategy, and compliance, often navigating high-stakes FCA and PRA engagement. Ratcliffe advises wealth and fintech clients on complex regulatory perimeter questions, client asset and capital requirements, and high-stakes commercial transactions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Osborne Clarke’s regulatory team brings a strong mix of technical capability, commercial understanding, and sector relevance. Their standout strength is in navigating complex regulatory frameworks while remaining grounded in the operational needs of fast-paced, innovative businesses. This has been particularly valuable in the context of building and launching a regulated investment platform, where they’ve provided guidance on regulatory permissions, legal structuring, and consumer documentation.'
- 'Compared to other firms, Osborne Clarke strikes a balance between top-tier legal knowledge and a pragmatic, solutions-oriented mindset. While some of their drafting can lean more legal than consumer-friendly, their advice is typically robust and well-considered.'
- 'Clients would also value their collaborative approach and willingness to challenge assumptions in a constructive way. We’ve seen encouraging steps toward streamlining execution and involving junior staff more proactively, which would further enhance the team’s efficiency and depth over time.'
- 'In terms of innovation, the firm has been thoughtful in bringing in the right international partners to support our EU expansion needs. While we haven’t seen major use of technology or alternative billing structures in our engagement, we have appreciated their openness to tailored ways of working.’
‘The individuals we’ve worked with at Osborne Clarke have consistently demonstrated professionalism, deep regulatory knowledge, and a constructive approach to client engagement. Standout partners such as Chris Ratcliffe have shown excellent judgement and the ability to translate complex issues into practical advice. Their involvement gives real confidence on critical issues.'
- 'We particularly value their calm, measured style. They are not only technically strong but also approachable and open to iterative working, which has been essential as our proposition has evolved.
- 'There is also clear strength among the more junior team members, and we’d welcome seeing them take a more front-facing role in engagements to help build continuity and further embed commercial context.'
- 'What sets Osborne Clarke apart is their ability to partner with clients, not just advise them. Their team understands that delivering value is as much about how advice is communicated and applied as the legal analysis itself.’
- 'A great, great team. Potent. Experienced. Supportive.'
- 'Noline Matemera is an industry big wig. Well regarded. I want her on my side.'
Key clients
- Foresight Group LLP
- PSG SIPP Limited
- GoHenry Limited
- Bunch Capital Limited
- Octopus Energy Collective Limited
- Vittoria and Partners LLP
Work highlights
Acted for Foresight Group LLP (Foresight) in its acquisition of the business of WHEB Asset Management LLP (WHEB). Advice involved undertaking due diligence of the business, advising on regulatory notifications, negotiating the business purchase agreement and co-ordinating local counsel in Ireland and Australia.
Represented PSG SIPP Limited (PSG SIPP), a self-invested personal pension operator, to navigate the disposal of its business and assets whilst subject to a VREQ expressly prohibiting asset disposal by the firm. The total value of assets under management was c. £1.18 billion.
Advised Bunch Capital on its UK launch, focusing on its flagship product, an innovative platform that enables investors to form trust-based syndicates, access private markets, and track their investments seamlessly. Conducted an in-depth technical analysis of the regulated activities Bunch would perform under its novel business model and prepared a suite of customer-facing documentation, addressing various legal and regulatory complexities.
Practice head
Noline Matemera; Chris Ratcliffe