Philip Sanderson
Partner
Phil Sanderson is co-chair of the global private equity transactions group and a partner in the London office. With over 25 years in private equity, Phil is recognised as one of the premier private equity lawyers in the UK. He is consistently ranked in the top tiers of Chambers UK and Legal 500 and was ranked in Super Lawyers 2014. He receives exemplary feedback from clients, who call attention to his levels of service and name him as a “great” and “very commercial” lawyer. According to Chambers UK, a client described him as: “very detailed and doesn't miss things out, so you feel like you can trust him completely. He's also very good at dealing with whoever's on the other side of the table, whether it's friendly or more contentious.”
He has advised private companies, institutional investors and management teams in all areas of private equity, UK and international buy‐outs and strategic M&A.
Experience
- Advised, on a pro bono basis, PG Impact on its investment in Tugende, a Ugandan based lease-to-own motorcycle finance provider for the financially excluded
- Acting for Silverfleet Capital on:
- the acquisition of Riviera Travel, a leading specialist holiday operator of European escorted tours and cruises
- the acquisition of CARE Fertility, the UK’s leading fertility services provider
- the acquisition of BOA CoreDux, a leading European house and subsystem designer and manufacturer
- Acting for Axcel on the acquisition of the technology business, Phase One
- Acting for Duke Street Capital, a UK-based private equity firm – and another new client for the firm - on its acquisition of Great Rail Journeys, the world’s leading provider of escorted rail holidays, from ECI and the subsequent acquisition in the U.S. of Chicago-based Vacation by Rail
- Acting for UK private equity firm Epiris on:
- Epiris Fund II’s acquisition of Bonhams, the global auction house, from private shareholders
- Epiris Fund II’s acquisition of Diamorph, a supplier of advanced material solutions for demanding and safety-critical applications
- its acquisition of The Club Company, the UK’s leading country club operator
- Acting for Kohlberg & Company on the acquisition by its portfolio company US Risk Insurance Group, of MGB Insurance Brokers, a UK Lloyd’s broker specialising in arranging financial and professional insurance
- Acting for Reed Mackay, an international travel management company, on its acquisition of Hillgate Travel
- Acting for Ensono, a portfolio company of Charlesbank Capital, on its acquisition of the hosted data center services business from Wipro Limited, the IT consulting company in India
- Acting for CCMP on its sale of PureGym, a chain of no frills fitness clubs in the United Kingdom
- Acting for Hearthside Food Solutions, a leading contract manufacturer, and its majority owners Charlesbank Capital Partners and Partners Group, in Hearthside’s agreement to acquire Greencore USA, a leading frozen contract packager and producer of refrigerated, fresh-made sandwiches, entrees, and salad kits
- Acting for Exponent Private Equity on its sale of Pattonair, a global aerospace and defense supply chain provider to Platinum Equity
- Acting for Ensono, a portfolio company of Charlesbank Capital Partners, on the:
- acquisition of Inframon, a specialist cloud service provider
- acquisition of Attenda
- Acting for Oakley Capital on the acquisition of TechInsights, a technology patent analysis business
- Acting for Baring Private Equity Asia on its US$1.8 billion sale, alongside the Shanghai-based Bright Food Group, of British breakfast cereal brand Weetabix to U.S.-based cereal company, Post Holdings
- Acting for 3i Group plc on the acquisition of Audley Travel, a provider of tailor-made experiential holidays
- Acting for TES Global (a TPG Capital portfolio company) on multiple bolt‐on acquisitions
- Acting for the ad hoc committee of Senior Unsecured Noteholders of Towergate Insurance in connection with its financial restructuring
Publications
- Quoted, “UK business leaders promise investment if Boris Johnson brings stability,” Financial Times (December 13, 2019)
- Quoted, “Same game, different rules,” Real Deals (October 22, 2019)
- Quoted, “Dealwatch: Paul Hastings and Slaughters react on nuclear sale as Magic Circle duo imbibes Greene King takeover,” Legal Business (August 22, 2019)
- Quoted, “Marching on – A Global London debate exploring the progress and prospects for US leaders,” Legal Business (April 8, 2019)
- Quoted, “Will more regulation disrupt the PE sector?,” International Financial Law Review (February 15, 2018)
- Quoted, “2018 Outlook: Deals May Get Bigger and Bolder,” Private Equity News (January 8, 2018)
- Quoted, “Ropes & Gray comments on outlook for private equity in 2018,” Private Equity Wire (November 22, 2017)
- Quoted, “View From the City: Lawyers Fret as Britain Leaves European Court of Justice,” The Deal (September 15, 2017)
- Co-author, “FTC’s First Foray into Gig Economy Data Security,” Law360 (August 28, 2017)
- Quoted, “Aerospace investments taking off for PE,” unquote (August 23, 2017)
- Quoted, “European PE buyouts bounce back after post-Brexit vote lull,” The Financial Times (June 25, 2017)
- Quoted, “U.K. Voters Turn Out to Be No Friend of Dealmakers,” Private Equity News (June 12, 2017)
- Quoted, “British voters complicate (somewhat) the task of M&A specialists,” ADVFN France (June 9, 2017)
- Quoted, “U.K. Voters Turn Out to Be No Friend of Dealmakers,” WSJ Pro Private Equity (June 9, 2017)
- Quoted, “Private Equity Views: Election Result Could Lead to Softer Brexit,” Private Equity News (June 9, 2017)
- Quoted, “General Election 2017: Experts fear hung parliament could be bad news for UK M&A market,” City A.M. (June 9, 2017)
- Quoted, “UK general election: private equity and advisory reactions,” unquote (June 9, 2017)
Disclaimer
Ropes & Gray International LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in Delaware, United States of America and is a recognised body regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (with registered number 521000).Education
- LSF, Hons, Chester College of Law, 1991
- BA, Durham University, 1990
