Chris is one of the leading corporate lawyers in Northern Ireland, specialising in high-value and complex M&A and private equity transactions.
As head of the Corporate team, he brings significant value by managing major projects and problem-solving to resolve issues and deliver the right outcome for clients.
In addition, Chris has substantial experience in all corporate matters including MBOs/MBIs, investments, joint ventures, corporate restructuring and shareholder arrangements and exits.
Chris was Insider Media Dealmaker of the Year for 2021 and the firm is the current Insider Media Corporate Law Firm of the Year for 2024.
Landmarks
- acting for Version 1 on its acquisition of Neueda
- acting for the shareholders of Natural World Products on the sale of the company
- advising shareholders of Novosco Group on the sale of the company to CANCOM Ltd
- advising Bamford Bus Company on the acquisition of the Wrightbus business out of administration
- advising Whiterock Capital Partners on the establishment of two new mezzanine debt funds: the £30m Growth Loan Fund II and the £30m Growth finance fund
- advising DCC Energy Plc on the sale of its Belfast oil terminal to Valero Energy and separately the disposal of its Northern Ireland oil distribution business to Nicholls Fuel Oil Limited
- advising the shareholders of Retlan Manufacturing Limited, parent company of SDC Trailers Limited, on the sale of the entire issued share capital of Retlan to the Chinese company CIMC Vehicles Group Limited, the largest trailer manufacturer in the world
- advising the partners of Hughes Insurance, one of Northern Ireland’s largest brokers, on the sale of the business to US firm Liberty Insurance.
What they say
“Chris carries the confidence of both clients and advisers and shows great empathy in all transactions. His strengths include deep and relevant experience coupled with great communication skills, combined with good team management”
“First-class commercial lawyer”
“He’s got a good pragmatic approach. He comes across as a deep thinker and has a strong commercial position”
“Heads the pack of Belfast’s next generation of corporate lawyers”
“Possesses a strong intellect aligned to a confidence and level-headedness that is beyond his years”
“Chris is a trusted legal adviser who is able to address any manner of legal matters”
“Chris is simply superb”
Chambers and Partners / Legal 500
