Committed to being more than just legal advisors
In the role of Transaction Manager and Director, as part of the Business Development function, provided end-to-end transaction management to Citi to achieve the implementation of the following deals, key aspects of which are set out below. This involved:
- Working with external consultants to identify deal potential create / unlock value in assets held by Citi and to “sell” this internally to key stakeholders and senior management
- Structuring transaction to optimise value for Citi and advising on buyer selection
- Designing and implementing auction process and/or responding to market opportunities
- Working to continue to shape the transaction commercials and negotiate with counter-parties to maximise potential
- Providing day-to-day transaction management within Citi dealing with senior management and all relevant functions (HR, Compliance, Tax, Finance/Accounting, M&A, Legal, etc.) to bring the deal together and manage through to signing and closing
Complex M&A and Outsourcing Transactions
Situation: Large financial institutions struggled with monetizing proprietary assets, reducing fixed costs, and focusing on core capabilities during the global economic crisis.
- Led key M&A and outsourcing transactions for Citi's Securities and Fund Services
- Designed innovative deal structures, such as Project Polestar
- Managed the sale of loss-making subsidiaries while retaining critical capabilities
- Executed 4 transactions with a combined value of £90 million (2008-2011)
- Sold Citi's GTAS platform for £21 million while securing a 5-year leaseback agreement
- Achieved $2.3 million in consideration for a loss-making Polish subsidiary, reducing non-core headcount by 200+
Technology Infrastructure and Cost Optimization
Situation: Companies needed to implement cost-saving measures and modernize their technology infrastructure to remain competitive.
- Implemented technology refresh and outsourcing initiatives for global corporations
- Managed large-scale transformational outsourcing deals
- Negotiated complex IT and outsourcing agreements for financial institutions
- Led a £1.2 billion transformational outsourcing deal for CBRE with Novartis Pharma A.G.
- Re-engineered global sales and marketing processes for Diageo Plc
- Outsourced back- and middle-office functions for Goldman Sachs' Private Wealth Management in Italy
Regulatory Compliance Across Multiple Jurisdictions
Situation: Financial institutions and educational organizations faced challenges in navigating complex regulatory environments across different countries.
- Guided Solvency II implementation for asset managers and insurers across Europe
- Developed strategies to adapt to regulatory changes, including Brexit considerations
- Created legal infrastructures to support complex, multi-party initiatives like Circularity Scotland Ltd's "zero waste economy" project
- Ensured compliance with evolving regulations in multiple jurisdictions
- Developed strategies to adapt to regulatory changes (e.g., Brexit)
- Created legal infrastructures to support complex, multi-party initiatives
Cross-Border Financial Services and Partnerships
Situation: Financial institutions needed to expand their services globally while navigating complex international regulations and partnerships.
- Facilitated strategic cooperations between financial institutions across continents
- Managed sales of financial services businesses across borders
- Advised on alliances between fintech companies in different countries
- Structured a deal between European Fund Administration and Standard Chartered Bank for fund services across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East
- Managed the sale of a Canadian fund services business for C$62.5 million
- Advised on alliance between Dublin-based Silverfinch and Luxembourg-based Fundsquare for Solvency II solutions
Asset Monetization and Business Restructuring
Situation: Companies struggled to unlock value from internal assets and optimize their business structures.
- Transformed internal departments into saleable assets or services
- Advised on division and sale of business units
- Structured transactions to optimize value and advise on buyer selection
- Converted internal IT and Info Sec departments into SaaS and Cloud-based solutions at Citibank
- Advised on the sale of professional services and consultancy businesses in the financial sector
- Designed transaction structures to maximize asset value while ensuring business continuity
Intellectual Property Protection and Exploitation
Situation: Organizations needed to safeguard their intellectual property while maximizing its commercial potential.
- Developed comprehensive IP protection strategies
- Created licensing frameworks to monetize proprietary information
- Ensured IP rights were properly addressed in all transactions
- Implemented protection strategies for patents, trademarks, copyright, and design rights
- Developed licensing agreements defining permitted use and revocation terms
- Integrated IP considerations into broader business strategies to drive value
Legal Process Streamlining and Risk Management
Situation: Companies needed to optimize their legal processes and manage risks effectively in complex business environments.
- Developed comprehensive legal "guardrails" and playbooks
- Streamlined contracting processes across the business lifecycle
- Implemented dispute resolution strategies and pre-litigation management
- Reduced legal risks and improved contract management efficiency
- Developed standardized processes adaptable to various business contexts
- Minimized potential for disputes through proactive legal strategies
Public Sector and Environmental Consultancy
Situation: Government bodies and environmental agencies required specialized legal support for complex projects and initiatives.
- Provided legal counsel for environmental consultancy projects
- Managed legal aspects of government-backed sustainability initiatives
- Ensured compliance with environmental regulations and public sector requirements
- Supported APEM Limited in surveys for wildlife, habitats, and alternative energy projects
- Structured legal framework for Circularity Scotland Ltd's "zero waste economy" project
- Facilitated contracts between environmental consultancies and government bodies including DEFRA
Higher Education Sector Challenges
Situation: Educational institutions faced unique legal challenges in international student recruitment and partnerships.
- Re-engineered contractual arrangements with international recruitment agents
- Standardized legal terms across multiple higher education providers
- Navigated complex regulatory environment specific to the education sector
- Restructured agreements with over 70 representative agents for QA Higher Education
- Streamlined legal processes for international student recruitment and enrollment
- Developed strategies to address immigration and Brexit-related challenges in higher education
Global IT Infrastructure Management
Situation: Multinational corporations required robust legal frameworks for managing global IT infrastructure and services.
- Negotiated high-value infrastructure implementation contracts across multiple jurisdictions
- Designed and implemented global contract generation and document management systems
- Developed procurement documentation to support global sourcing functions
- Executed contracts for Standard Chartered Bank with reach across New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia
- Implemented a contract generation and document management system rolled out globally
- Improved efficiency in end-to-end procurement processes for global banks
What Clients Say About Nigel
"Nigel's approach was comprehensive; he not only highlighted issues but took time to explain them in a simple, understandable manner and provided considered alternative approaches enabling effective solutions."
Howard Stone
Highedge Solutions
"Given Citi's vast organizational structure, Nigel was instrumental in helping bring together stakeholders with differing views. He demonstrated very strong knowledge and expertise in M&A and Outsourcing."
Roman Lewszyk
Citibank
"Nigel is highly pragmatic. A 'hands on' lawyer, focused on getting the commercial result in a practical, cost effective way. He proved to be rigorous, hard-working and demonstrated unquestioned integrity."
Nicholas Parkes
Novitas
"Nigel is very understanding of my requests and going above to help get me the right protection and advice. Very grateful"
Gareth Powell
Private Client
"Nigel has been extremely professional, helpful and personable and has responded quickly to all of my queries and comments. I would have no hesitation in recommending Nigel."
Sarah Lucas
Private Client
