James Cowell
Director | Milton Keynes
“James has been attentive… always available and has explained the complex language of the deal in more understandable terms. James has summarised key points and hurdles that we have encountered during the deal. This has allowed us to make reasoned judgement and decisions during the on-going negotiations. In addition, James has been a calming influence on the negotiations. We would recommend James and his colleagues at Freeths to others in the same position as ourselves and would return to Freeths for legal matters in the future.”
Gary Allenby, CEO, Aurelia Bioscience Ltd
Call: 0345 271 6751 Mobile: 0791 202 5239
About James
James is a Director and has extensive experience in handling the full range of M&A and Private Equity work, banking and refinancing as well as advising his clients on a range of commercial contracts. This includes advising on MBOs, MBIs and BIMBO and providing assistance to shareholders and directors of large owner-managed businesses and large corporates.
He advises a number of banks and lending institutions on the provision of acquisition finance for transactions, particularly in the healthcare sector. James also acts on numerous acquisitions of pharmacy portfolios for a number of large operators in the healthcare sector, utilising a number of different deal structures. He is also responsible for the relationship with the local offices of a number of PE Houses, Banks and other funders, including BGF, Nat West and RBS and has strong relationships with a number of local accountants.
James is listed as a Recommended Lawyer and a Next Generation Partner in The Legal 500 (2024 edition).
Contact James
Call: 0345 271 6751
Mobile: 0791 202 5239
Notable work & expertise
Recent Work
- Advising Corus Hotels Limited and its various group companies on a refinance in excess of £100M. This involved a substantial group restructuring involving intra-group distributions on specie of shares in various group companies and transfers of properties.
- Advising the management buy-in team on negotiations with private equity firm Ardenton Capital Investments regarding the c£30M acquisition of Pebbles Holdco Limited by Ardenton Care Holdings Limited.
- Advising the shareholders of Aurelia Bioscience Limited on the sale of the company to Charnwood Molecular Limited, backed by the PE fund Synova.
- Acting for the shareholders of Dalkeith Laboratories Limited on the sale of the shares in three companies to Kent Pharma UK Limited, backed by the PE House Duke Street Capital.
- Advising on the Statutory Demerger of the global marine asset monitoring business to a newly incorporated holding company, UltraMAP Monitoring Services Limited, from a joint venture vehicle, Seagard Limited.
- Advising Zertus UK on its strategic acquisition of The Sun Valley Nut Company.
Testimonials
ZM
“James and the other members of the Freeths’ team that handle our pharmacy acquisitions continue to exceed our expectations when handling our trans...
Zubair Malik, Director
Imaan Limited
GA
“Thank you for your hard work and efforts with respect to the deal. Kathy and I chose Freeths to represent us because we felt that you were more ap...
Gary Allenby
Aurelia Bioscience Ltd
GT
"Wow - you guys put in an absolute shift to get this done. / I thought you and your team were a real credit to your firm throughout the process"
Grant Thornton
SH
"You have guided us through what seemed to be a difficult and daunting process in a way that we could all understand throughout. I will be very ple...
Stephen Holder, Shareholder and Director
Eagle Plastics Limited
AD
"Your professionalism, knowledge, commitment, analytical and communication skills, and ability to stay calm under pressure, are really appreciated...
Andrew Dodd, Corporate Director
KBS Corporate
MD
"James was in complete control of the acquisition and conveyed a thorough understanding of the business deal. James is a sound professional, who we...
Marc D’Amour, CFO
Metro Supply Chain Group Inc.
KG
"We now have a legal expert we can truly rely on, who gets to the commercial root of the matter, and a firm who we like dealing with as they don’t...
Kevin Griffin, MD
Acrobat Carbon Group Limited
JB
"...extremely client-focused... His confident but grounded approach, particularly given his ability to explain key negotiating points in a way that...
Jonathan Barker
The Watch Lab Limited
"James Cowell shows exceptional dedication and drive to get issues resolved and deals complete. Jonathan is a very experienced practitioner, able t...
The Legal 500, 2024
"James Cowell, commercially-minded lawyer who is able to focus on pertinent points and drive a transaction forwards."
The Legal 500, 2024
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