James is a Corporate M&A Partner based in Browne Jacobson's Manchester office, specialising in lower to mid-market private equity and complex cross-border M&A transactions. James has significant experience leading domestic and international private equity and strategic trade transactions, acting for investors, management teams and shareholders, with a particular focus on helping businesses and their backers navigate initial investment through to exit.

James has a sector specialism in energy and infrastructure, with experience of advising major energy corporates and energy-focused private equity clients. Beyond this, his practice focuses on advising on VC, PE and M&A transactions across a range of industry sectors. He is particularly active in the leisure, technology, and industrial sectors, acting on transactions that range from founder-led exits to sophisticated institutional PE processes. James advises a broad range of clients including:

• Private equity and venture capital fund investors.
• Management teams on sweet equity and rollover arrangements.
• Shareholders on exits and growth capital raises.
• Corporate acquirers on strategic M&A.

His PE client experience spans a wide range of leading fund managers.

Recent deals

James's recent deal experience includes advising Rcapital and the shareholders of Trac Precision Solutions on the sale to Indian stock exchange listed PTC Industries, a global leader in high-precision metal components for critical and supercritical application, with Trac being a UK-based provider of precision-machined components serving the aerospace, defence and power generation sectors.

James also led on the equity workstream for the sale of The Edwin Group to US private equity firm Quad Partners, including advising the managers who rolled into the PE-backed newco structure.

Credentials and qualifications

Solicitor, England and Wales (admitted 2012).