Corporate Governance
United Kingdom
19 August 2025
Increasingly active in the secondaries market, Macfarlanes LLP‘s ’exceptional‘ buyout practice is routinely sought out by domestic and multinational financial sponsors and investors. Practice head Alex Edmondson, who also co-leads the firm’s technology practice group, is praised for his ability to ’get to grips with the most complex of situations’ and showcases particular skill in sponsor-side M&A. Stephen Drewitt has a similarly strong sponsor-focused practice and is especially strong in domestic PE transactions. Alexander Green is a go-to figure in the team for secondaries and GP-led restructurings, while Jessica Adam heads up the firm’s management advisory practice. Stephen Pike – noted for his growing track record in secondaries – provides transactional advice to a wide range of clients.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Macfarlanes are strong across the board in their mid-market team. There is consistency of personnel, a seamless combination of banking, acquisition and equity capabilities and diligence is done in-house. Macfarlanes establish long term relationships and are highly experienced lawyers.’
- ‘Stephen Drewitt was unflappable and highly experienced, capable of making a client's life easier by focusing on the key value points that clients should be concerned.'
- ‘The practice group consistently provides us with exceptional service. We always get terrific partner engagement, availability and amazing advice and service regardless of how complex the particular matter may be.’
- ‘We regularly work with Alex Edmondson and he has always delivered for us. He has a terrific legal mind, is able to understand and get to grips with the most complex of situations under huge time pressures and is always meticulous in the work he does for us to ensure our interests are more than adequately protected. However, at the same time he has great business acumen and incredibly commercial. He is great to work with. ’
- ‘A top private equity team for UK transactions.’
Key clients
- Alchemy Partners
- Caledonia Private Capital
- J.C. Flowers & Co
- Bowmark Capital
- Epiris
- Exponent Private Equity
- Mayfair Equity Partners
- Graphite Capital
- Charme Capital Partners
- KPS Capital Partners
- Partners Group and Duke Street
- Tulchan
Work highlights
Advised GHO Capital Fund II LP on the English law aspects of its transfer of Sterling.
Advised client Hayfin Capital Management on the sale of Autovista Group to J.D. Power.
Advised Caledonia on the sale of Seven Investment Managementn to Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board.
Practice head
Alex Edmondson
Other key lawyers
Stephen Drewitt; Jessica Adam; Alexander Green; Stephen Pike