David Holdsworth

Partner Mergers & Acquisitions Private Equity
Kirkland & Ellis International LLP

London T +44 20 7469 2490

M +44 77 8633 7196

David Holdsworth

Practices

Overview

David has 'deep legal knowledge' and is 'highly solution-minded and entrepreneurial' - Chambers & Partners

David is a corporate partner in our London office. His practice focusses on complex mergers and acquisitions, including private equity, public and private M&A and joint ventures. David is listed in Chambers & Partners as a leading individual for the Private Equity Buyout category and is recognised in IFLR 1000’s highly regarded category for M&A and Private Equity. 

David’s representative matters prior to and since joining Kirkland include:

  • Thoma Bravo on the £3.1 billion recommended cash offer for Sophos, a global leader in next-generation cybersecurity solutions

  • TDR Capital and its portfolio company, Stonegate Pub Company, on the £1.27 billion recommended cash offer for Ei Group

  • Blackstone on the recommended £4.77 billion cash offer for Merlin Entertainments, a global leader in location-based, family entertainment

  • An EQT-led consortium on the CHF 10.2 billion exclusive negotiations to acquire Nestlé Skin Health, a leading global skincare company

  • Canaccord Genuity on its acquisition of Thomas Miller Wealth Management, the UK-based wealth management business of Thomas Miller Investments, and its Isle of Man private client wealth management business

  • TDR Capital on its acquisition of NKD, a German retailer of textile, fashion products and other accessories, from OpCapita

  • Blackstone on its €3 billion public bid for Hispania, the Spanish property company, and the prior stake-building of 16.56% of the company from Soros

  • Blackstone on its public bid for Taliesin Property Fund

  • TDR Capital on numerous matters including its acquisitions of Buffalo Grill, EFR, Hurtigruten, IMO Group, David Lloyd Leisure, Lowell Group and Stonegate; its investment into Euro Garages, valuing the business at £1.3bn; and its disposals of Keepmoat’s regeneration business, Lowell Group, Gondola Holdings plc and VPS Europe

  • A consortium comprising TDR Capital, PGGM, ATP, GIC and ADIA on the €3.7bn acquisition of LeasePlan, the Dutch vehicle management company, from Volkswagen and the Dutch company Fleet Investments

  • Goldman Sachs, Park Square and NGA Human Resources on the sale of NGA UK to Bain Capital Private Equity

  • Mead Johnson Nutrition in its $17.9 billion public acquisition by Reckitt Benckiser Group plc

  • Golden Gate Capital, Francisco Partners and other stakeholders on the £1.6bn reverse takeover of Micro Focus plc, involving the contribution of their portfolio company Attachmate to Micro Focus plc in consideration for a 40% stake

  • SMBC on the $2bn acquisition of GE’s sponsor finance business in Europe

  • LIXIL Corporation on its $3bn acquisition of GROHE

  • ORIX Corporation on its €2bn acquisition of Robeco from Rabobank

  • Dentsu Inc on its £3.2bn recommended acquisition of Aegis Group plc

  • Brother Industries on its £1.07bn public acquisition of Domino Printing Sciences

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Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • Admitted to Practice as a Solicitor of England and Wales

Education

  • University of EdinburghLL.B.