Colin Sharpsmith

While at Kirkland, Colin has been involved in the following matters:

• Apex on the c. £1.51 billion recommended all cash acquisition of Sanne Group plc.
• GHO Capital on the closing of GHO Capital III with available commitments in excess of €2 billion. 
• Blackstone and the consortium consisting of Scape Living and iQSA on the £969 million recommended cash offer for GCP Student Living plc. 
• Blackstone on the c. £1.2 billion recommended cash offer for St Modwen Properties plc. 
• Funds managed by Apax Partners on the acquisition of the PIB Group.
• Apex Fund Management, a Genstar portfolio company, on its acquisition of the FundRock Group.
• Tokio Marine HCC on its acquisition of GCube. 
• TDR Capital and its portfolio company, Stonegate Pub Company, on the £1.27 billion recommended cash offer for Ei Group.

Prior to joining Kirkland, Colin’s matters included:

• Providing perimeter advice to new-entrants to the UK market on the scope and impact of financial services regulations on their business under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (‘FSMA’) and relevant European Regulations, including:
  • AIFMD;
  • MiFID II;
  • PRIIPs;
  • MAR; and
  • Consumer Credit and Mortgage Credit Regulations.
• Advising and assisting the compliance and legal functions of asset managers, brokers and banks in relation to their terms of business, policies and procedures, and providing training to staff on relevant requirements.
• Advising on and assisting in relation to change in control applications to the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) and other regulators in relation to acquisitions and disposals of interests in regulated businesses.
• Advising on registrations of new funds and fund marketing notifications and requirements.
• Advising on application of asset stripping rules in relation to funds investing in EU companies.
• Advising on new authorizations and variations of permission.
• Advising in relation to complaints and allegations of rule breaches and regulatory investigations. 

Dechert LLP

• Senior Associate (2017–2018)

Withers LLP

• Associate (2014–2017, 2010–2012)
• Trainee Solicitor (2008–2010)

Travers Smith LLP

• Associate (2012–2014)