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.

In addition to his board and advisory roles, Simon has founded, owned and invested in a number of businesses (including being an FCA authorised individual).

This experience provides a practical understanding of the challenges faced by business owners, management teams and investors, and informs his approach to strategic and governance issues.

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