William Saunders
Partner
William has been a leader in the investment funds industry for over 20 years and is the go to name for institutional and individual clients alike.
Partner
William has been a leader in the investment funds industry for over 20 years and is the go to name for institutional and individual clients alike.
Languages - English, French
Jurisdiction - England & Wales
William Saunders is a partner at Stephenson Harwood, where he has led the funds and financial services group for over 20 years. He specialises in advising on the launch, reconstruction, takeover, and investments of funds and trading companies. His expertise spans private and listed funds of all asset classes, including real estate, alternatives, and conventional equity funds, making him a sought-after adviser for boards, managers, brokers, nomads, and sponsors.
William's client portfolio includes notable names such as Schroders, M&G, Janus Henderson, Baillie Gifford, and Impax. He provides pragmatic advice and a thorough working knowledge, which are invaluable when the going gets tough. His ability to build long-term relationships and deliver quality advice and value for money sets him apart in the sector, making him the first choice for many seeking expert legal guidance in investment funds.
Clients appreciate William's ability to navigate complex legal landscapes with precision and clarity. His reputation for delivering results and fostering trust has made him a cornerstone in the corporate funds sector which he has specialised in for over 30 years.
SABA
Advising new client, Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust plc, Schroder UK Mid Cap Fund plc, The European Smaller Companies Trust plc and Henderson Opportunities Trust plc in connection with their defences against the requisitions by Saba.
Asian Energy Impact Trust
Acted for AEIT on all corporate matters arising following the suspension of listing of its shares in April 2023, including advising on the termination of the appointment of AEIT's former investment manager and the appointment of Octopus Energy Generation as its new investment manager, and advising on its defence against two requisitions by funds managed by its former investment manager.
POLLEN ST – Waterfall Bid
Advising Alternative Credit Investments plc (formally Pollen Street Secured Lending PLC) on the appointment of their new manager, Waterfall Asset Management LLC and the £639.2 million public takeover by Waterfall EIT UK Limited.
LXI Merger with Secure Income
Advising LXi REIT plc, a listed real estate fund, in relation to the certain funds acquisition facility and backstop facility, totalling £1.215 billion, for its public merger with Secure Income REIT plc.
Premier merger with Miton
Advised Miton Group plc (Miton) on its merger with Premier Asset Management Group PLC (Premier). The deal comprised a recommended, all-share offer for Miton, an AIM-traded specialist UK fund management group, by Premier, an AIM-traded UK retail asset management group, and was effected by a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement in accordance with the UK Companies Act and the Takeover Code.
Kudu - Apera
Advised Kudu Investment Management LLC (Kudu) on its minority investment in Apera Asset Management LLP (Apera), through an Apera affiliate.
M+G Jv
Advised The Prudential Assurance Company Limited (PACL) on the transfer of a £671m portfolio of properties into a new joint venture structure held between PACL and US real estate equity investment platform, TPG Real Estate.
Swiss Life Asset Managers UK Limited
Advised on the launch of a continuation fund and advised Swiss Life Thematic Continuation Fund on the acquisitions of a portfolio of self-storage assets.
The European Smaller Companies Trust
Advised the company on its defence against a requisitioning shareholder and subsequent groundbreaking tender offer, which enabled those shareholders who wished to exit their investment in the trust to elect to receive cash and/or an in specie transfer of underlying portfolio assets for their shares.
SEC
Acted for Strategic Equity Capital PLC in relation to a tender offer relating to 100 per cent. of the issued share capital of the Company.
