Profile
Work Department
Position
Elia Montorio is the head of the North West Corporate team and national head of M&A at Shoosmiths, having joined as one of its senior partners in March 2022.
Elia was previously a corporate partner at a global law firm, where she spent just over 28 years, ranked for many consecutive years as No.1 in deal volume in the UK, Europe and globally (Mergermarket).
She practices in all aspects of corporate law, including M&A, complex reorganisations and corporate venture arrangements but with a particular focus on international cross-border transactions. She is also known for successfully managing international corporate law matters and global client relationships.
Elia has been described as a very experienced, pragmatic and client-orientated lawyer, who listens to her clients and their needs. She is a recommended leading lawyer in Legal 500 and is described as 'brilliant', and an 'exceptional deal counsel'.
Elia is often cited as one of the most influential and powerful businesswomen in the UK, having been included as one of the Top 50 most powerful Businesswomen (Northern Power Women), voted for four consecutive years as one of the Top 100 most influential businesswomen in the North of England (Insider, 2014-2017), won Corporate Leader of the Year award (2018, Forward Ladies) and was selected by Cambridge Judge Business School as “one of the women internationally leading the charge in the future of law”.
Elia's experience includes advising on:
• English law governed transaction on the sale of CEE group by listed international company.
• Acquisition of Canadian-HQ international robotics group by FTSE 100 global company.
• Sale of fire safety UK company to listed Swedish company, Lagercrantz Group.
• Acquisition of Danish-HQ international robotics business by FTSE 100 global company.
• Investment and acquisition into a UK based e-commerce and retail skincare business by the private equity arm of French leading cosmetics/skincare brand.
• Swedish-based listed global company on its acquisition of a UK-based online cosmetics retailer.
• Co-operative Bank plc on the corporate aspects of the sale and outsource of its mortgage book.
• Sale of perfume speciality chemicals international business Fragrance Oils plc to Swiss group, Givaudan SA.
• The African Coast to Europe cable consortium of around 19 West African telecom operators together with Orange France on the corporate aspects of an unprecedented, ground-breaking project for international telecoms capacity.
• South African listed company, Ascendis Health, on its acquisition of global pharmaceutical group, Remedica.
• Online retailer on its IPO and its international expansion.
• Global corporate on its multi-jurisdictional reorganisation including US, UK, Netherlands and Ireland.
• Reorganisation of a Fortune 500 business in multiple jurisdictions with merger, sale and liquidation transactions in over 16 jurisdictions in EMEA.
• £1+ billion buy-back of shares of UK private company.
Career
Honours & awards
• 2019 - Top 50 Power Women (Northern Power Women)
• 2019 - Regional Corporate Leader of the Year (North West, Ireland and Wales)
• 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017 - Top 100 Most Influential Businesswomen (Insider North West Business Award)
• 2015 - Selected as one of the women internationally leading the charge in the future of law (Cambridge Judge Business School)
• 2014 - Finalist - Partner of the Year (Manchester Legal Awards)
Content supplied by Shoosmiths LLP
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Shoomsiths are pragmatic in terms of finding solutions and are proactive in their responses to clients. They have a breadth of expertise which is helpful when a particular project encompasses different strands of legal work. ’
‘Excellent team - very knowledgeable and professional and focused on completing transactions.'
‘Elia Montorio is an excellent M&A lawyer. She is vastly experienced and take a commercial approach to advising clients. She has a knack of explaining complex legal terms to clients and allows them to focus on key aspects to conclude transactions.’
‘Their M&A practice is distinguished by its swift, responsive approach and ability to provide unique, tailored solutions to meet the evolving needs of clients. They understand the urgency and complexity of M&A transactions and remain focus on delivering quick, actionable advice without sacrificing depth of expertise. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, efficient processes, and a collaborative approach, they consistently offer strategic insights that position all .clients for long-term success in the M&A landscape.’
‘The Shoosmiths team are strong in the lower middle market in Manchester, and are technically sound without being market leaders for their expertise. There are a firm who are easier to work with than most in the regions, and whom balance expertise in sectors and products well.'
- 'They are very good at balancing client management with technical and occasionally challenging legal advice, to ensure the client fully appreciates the risks and rewards of any decision they make.’
‘The Manchester partnership group are focused on the commercial aspects of transactions ensuring client satisfaction. The lead partner, Elia Montorio is particular good at client management, being available and solving the key issues with a thoughtful approach, and who is not afraid to have difficult conversations if they are required. Andrew Millar is also an approachable partner, with collaboration and achieving the right result at the heart of his approach and advice.'
- 'They have a strong pool of associates coming through the ranks in both their private equity and their equity capital markets practice, whom are all very diligent and good at fighting their client's corner when required without being overly aggressive.'
Key clients
- PI Industries
- Accrofab Holdings
- Halma plc
- Smoove plc
- London Drainage Facilities Limited
- Rotala Group Limited
- Everton Football Club
- Nike
- Hela Apparel Holdings plc
- Evelyn Partners LLP
- Asahi
- Sports Direct
- Wilkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
- Molson Coors
- French Connection
- Bench
- Jensten Group Limited
- MVI Vehicle Integration Ltd
- Apex Partners SA
- Big Green Smile Limited
- Peakbridge VC
- Zip Co Limited (listed on AUS)
- Wraith Holdings International Limited
- Hallam Land Management Limited
- Matillion Limited
- Infex Therapeutics Limited
- Compusoft GB Limited
- Thinksmart Limited
- NICCE
- Just Hype
- Housing Growth Partnership
- MR Group
- Snap Finance Limited/Snap Finance UK (Group) Limited
- Sandbox International Holdings Limited
- Marwyn Capital LLP
- Endless LLP
- ProAmpac
- YFM
- Invesco Holding Company Limited