Experience.

Simon Woolley is an independent strategic adviser with more than 30 years’ experience advising businesses, investors and boards on complex commercial, financial and governance matters.

His career combines:

  • senior leadership within a global professional services firm

  • extensive corporate finance and transactional experience

  • strategic advisory work with entrepreneurial and owner-managed businesses

  • board and investor experience

  • Simon spent 15 years as a partner at DLA Piper.

    Roles included:

    • International Board Member

    • Managing Partner of the Manchester office

    • Head of the North West Finance & Projects practice

    • Member of the international Finance Group Executive Committee

    During this period, he advised on more than 400 transactions across a wide range of sectors and financing structures, including several nationally significant transactions.

    Selected National Transactions:

    • £1.1 billion buyout of McCarthy & Stone

    • £950 million buyout of Arcadia Group

    • £915 million acquisition of Littlewoods

    • £900 million buyout of Big Food Group

    • £715 million purchase of the Daily Telegraph

    • £700 million buyout of House of Fraser

  • Since leaving DLA Piper, Simon has advised businesses, investors and entrepreneurs on:

    • financing and restructuring matters

    • governance and shareholder issues

    • strategic growth and reporting structures

    • complex operational and regulatory situations

    • lender and stakeholder negotiations

    He has also undertaken long-term General Counsel and strategic advisory roles for privately owned businesses and investors.

  • Simon has experience as:

    • Non-Executive Director of an AIM-listed company

    • Interim Chairman of a specialist branding business

    • Strategic adviser to owner-managed businesses

    • Investor in public and private companies

    • Property investor and developer