Sarah De Ste Croix
Partner - Head of Private Equity, London
Sarah is a leading private equity expert, known for her strategic guidance in fund formation and complex secondary transactions.
Partner - Head of Private Equity, London
Sarah is a leading private equity expert, known for her strategic guidance in fund formation and complex secondary transactions.
Languages - English
Jurisdiction - England & Wales
Sarah de Ste Croix is a partner at Stephenson Harwood, specialising in private equity fund secondaries. She is Band 1 ranked by Chambers.
Her diverse experience spans working in GP-focused fund formation, serving as fundraising counsel for Actis, and advising as a funds specialist at EY.
Sarah's client base includes institutional investors and general partners, who rely on her expertise to navigate the complexities of private fund formation and liquidity transactions. She provides strategic advice on managed accounts, co-investment platforms and fund restructurings.
Sarah's clients praise her ability to bridge gaps in negotiations and deliver commercial solutions. Her work includes advising on the establishment of continuation vehicles for clients like DPE Deutsche Private Equity and Ufenau Capital Partners, as well as guiding Tesco Pension Trustees Limited through a substantial portfolio sale.
Her clients value her relentless focus and deep experience, which are instrumental in overcoming challenges and driving success. Sarah's reputation as a phenomenal lawyer is underscored by her role in groundbreaking transactions, such as the first GP-led secondary in Ukraine and successor fundraise against the backdrop of military conflict.
Her ability to act quickly and think commercially makes her a trusted guide for clients seeking to deploy capital effectively in the private equity landscape.
GP-Led Sponsor Side
Platform secondaries counsel for Ufenau with respect to their series of continuation funds, Ufenau Continuation 3 and Ufenau Continuation 4 (combined €1bn)
Advising Deutsche Private Equity on DPE Continuation Fund 1 LP (€700m)
GP-Led Buy-Side
Advising both Five Arrows and TPG with respect to Citadel Continuation Fund SLP
Advising Astorg with respect to Ardian Expansion Syclef Continuation Fund
Advising Hayfin with respect to Impilo Orphan Drugs AB
LP Portfolio
Advising ICG Enterprise Trust PLC on its acquisition of 175 tail end fund interests from Abrdn Investments.
Advising Tesco PLC Pension Scheme on the disposition of c.50 partnership interests at a value of $1bn to six separate buyers.
Fund Formation
Platform counsel to Horizon Capital on their first continuation vehicle and subsequent fundraise HCGF IV (combined €600m).
Platform counsel to Soho Square on their fund reopening and Brexit restructure
