CD&R hires Simon Tinkler as senior legal advisor

CD&R hires Simon Tinkler as senior legal advisor

After 25 years at CC, Simon Tinkler leaves to work for his own firm after having advised on the acquisition of £7.1bn Morrisons by a private equity giant.

Clifford Chance partner Simon Tinkler has been appointed as senior legal advisor at private equity firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice (CD&R).

As part of Tinker's role with CD&R's European investment team, he will provide advice on new investments and support the firm's existing portfolio companies. During the past few years, he has worked closely with CD&R as its relationship partner and led the team that advised on the deal in which CD&R bought Morrisons last year for £7.1bn after a private auction.

Among others, he has also advised CD&R on its acquisition of B&M Retail in 2013 and subsequent public listing of the company and its acquisition of UK independent fuel retailer Motor Fuel Group in 2015.

CD&R co-president and head of its European business, Dave Novak, said: "Simon Rose is a highly accomplished and experienced legal executive who has served as a trusted advisor for the organization for 15 years." His astute judgment and experience dealing with a broad range of transactions have been invaluable to our investment activities and his strong work ethic and values align with our own."

Clifford Chance's Tinkler joined the firm in 1995, became a lawyer in 2000 and served in various leadership roles, including being head of the Magic Circle firm's corporate practice in London, which focused on international M&A. The majority of his practice involved private equity transactions, advising private equity companies, corporations and investment banks on a variety of transactions, like leveraged buyouts, initial public offerings (IPOs) and private investments in public equity, joint ventures, disposals and restructurings.

His advice to CD&R on UDG Healthcare's take-private and its combination with existing portfolio company Huntsworth and the Morrisons acquisition, was provided in September 2021.

Tinkler said, "Through my work with CD&R teams in Europe on multiple transactions, I have come to understand the company's special culture and collaborative approach to value creation. They combine great investment judgment with deep operational knowledge."

Deputy High Court Judge Tinkler was appointed to the English and Wales High Court in 2021. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal is another board he sits on.

Jane Cheong Tung Sing, a Clifford Chance veteran, joined John Lewis as general counsel and company secretary in October 2021. In May, Linklaters' senior partner, Charlie Jacobs has joined JPMorgan as co-head of UK investment banking.

In March 2021, Simpson Thacher's London offices acquired the European general counsel of Blackstone, Geoffrey Bailhache.