Simon is an experienced corporate transactional lawyer specialising in equity capital markets (ECM), venture capital (VC) and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). He acts for a broad range of public and private companies on domestic and cross-border transactions.
Simon’s ECM practice principally focuses on advising issuers, particularly those admitted to the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. He has acted on numerous IPOs, fundraises, reverse takeovers and ‘take privates’, as well as providing day-to-day advice regarding corporate governance and regulatory matters. He also advises on regulatory breaches and investigations, and sensitive disclosure issues.
Simon advises on a full spectrum of industries, including natural resources, specialty chemicals, life sciences and fintech. He has particular experience representing North American and Australian companies and investors.
In addition to his legal practice, Simon has acted and continues to act as company secretary to several AIM-quoted and Main Market issuers, giving him a detailed insight to the workings of and challenges faced by public company boards.
As always, Simon provided his meticulous discerning approach in supporting Wild Nutrition through this recent investment process with Piper. He has been an invaluable partner since Wild’s inception.
Charlie Norton, Director and Co-Founder
Wild NutritionWe are delighted to announce the completion of the debt restructuring documentation. Extension of the debt’s maturity will enable us to continue with our growth strategy, as we seek to take full advantage of the positive conditions in the global iodine market, and build our position as one of the industry’s best operators. We are very grateful to Simon for his solid counsel and his unwavering dedication in assisting us over the years.
Tom Becker, CEO and President
IofinaSimon was excellent to work with and we look forward to completing more projects with Simon and the broader Keystone team in the future.
Matthew Beardmore, former Chairman of Pri0r1ty Intelligence Group
I have worked with Simon professionally for a number of years and have learned that he has a knack of thinking his way around obstacles. What we were looking to do with this SPAC had never been done before, anywhere. Aiming to list it on one of the most prestigious stock exchanges in the world, the LSE, made it even more challenging. Simon was my obvious choice to navigate and drive the arduous process.
Steven Schapera, former Chairman of Tertre Rouge Assets PLC
All members of the Keystone team have been superb and have collaborated openly with numerous other law firms in the UK and abroad in supporting World Programming. Simon Holden went way above and beyond to get all the work done in time to close the deal with Altair. Thank you.
Oliver Robinson, former CEO of World Programming
We have found Simon and his advice to be one of the most important aspects of closing this deal; not only quickly, but fairly. With his sound legal advice, we can have trust in negotiating terms and confidence in being backed up with solid legal support. Having a legal partner like Simon, who is on your side and guiding you throughout the process, is invaluable and instrumental for any founder's journey.
Deepak Aulak, Director and Co-Founder of Tooth Fairy
Expertise
- Equity capital markets (Main Market, AIM and NEX)
- IPOs and secondary placings
- Corporate finance
- M&A (public and private), including reverse takeovers
- Private equity investment and venture capital
- Investment/shareholders’ agreements
Experience
Capital Markets & Finance
- Advised Alteration Earth PLC in connection with its reverse takeover, associated fundraising and migration from the Main Market to AIM.
- Advised several SPACs in connection with their IPOs on the Main Market.
- Advised Buccaneer Energy PLC in connection with several secondary placings.
- Advised Mustang Energy PLC in connection with its IPO and subsequent issue of convertible loan notes.
- Advised United Oil & Gas Plc in connection with its placing of £3 million and reverse takeover.
- Advised Panthera Resources PLC, a gold exploration and development company with key assets in India and West Africa, on its admission to AIM.
- Advised Victoria Oil & Gas Plc in connection with a placing and subscription of US$23.5 million completed by way of an accelerated bookbuild.
- Advised Empyrean Energy PLC (AIM: EME), an oil and gas development company with interests in Indonesia and the United States, in connection with its open offer.
- Advised Iofina plc (AIM: IOF) in connection with a debt restructuring of its US$20 million convertible secured loan notes and obtaining an additional US$10 million secured term loan facility, which was followed by a £7m fundraising (comprised of a placing and open offer) and associated US$4m debt for equity conversion.
Mergers & Acquisitions
- Advised certain senior managers in relation to the recommended £169m takeover of Eckoh plc by funds managed by Bridgepoint Advisers II Limited through Eagle UK Bidco Limited by way of a scheme of arrangement.
- Advised Western Thomson Group Pte on the acquisition of the assets of Heath Springs and Components out of administration.
- Advised the shareholders of World Programming Limited on the sale of their share capital to then NASDAQ-listed Altair Engineering Inc. for a combination of cash and shares consideration of up to US$100 million.
- Acted for leading Australian lottery provider Jumbo Interactive Limited on its acquisition of UK-based lottery operator Gatherwell Ltd.
- Led the transactional team advising the selling shareholders of C4L Group Holdings to the subsidiary of an AIM-quoted company for a total consideration of £20.2 million.
- Advised Primorus Investments plc in connection with several disposals of stakes in portfolio companies.
- Advised Stillcanna Inc. in connection with its £10.6m recommended all-share offer to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Sativa Group Plc which was implemented by a scheme of arrangement, with the enlarged issued share capital being admitted to trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange and the Aquis Stock Exchange.
Private Equity
- Advised Tooth Fairy Healthcare Ltd on its US$10 million Series A financing, led by LBO France with participation from CRB Health Tech SGEIC and Portfolio Ventures, having previously advised on a £3m VC round led by impact VC firms ADA Ventures and Slingshot Ventures, with participation from Seedcamp, All Iron Ventures, and Haatch Ventures.
- Advised Wild Nutrition Ltd and its co-founders in connection with its £5 million private equity investment by Piper, the UK’s leading specialist investor in consumer brands.
- Advised gohenry on various corporate transactional matters, including the completion of two crowdfunding campaigns which raised in excess of £10 million.
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Recognised in The Legal 500 for Corporate and Commercial: M&A Smaller Deals up to £50M (2023-2025)
Recognised in The Legal 500 for Venture Capital 2024-2026
Recognised in The Legal 500 2022 for Gaming and Betting
Recognised in The Legal 500 2019 for Flotations (Small and Mid-Cap), M&A (Smaller Deals up to £50M), Mining and Minerals, and Oil and Gas.
Praised as a ‘tour de force’ Legal 500 2019
Recognised in The Legal 500 2017 for Flotations (Small and Mid-Cap), M&A (Smaller Deals up to £50M), and Mining and Minerals.
Career
Simon qualified as a solicitor in 2002. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2018, he worked at the following firms:
- Kerman & Co
- Lester Aldridge
- Teacher Stern