David Johnson

Partner
Joined firm 1991. Partner since 2000.

David heads one of the firm’s corporate groups and has over 30 years’ experience advising on a wide range of corporate transactions, commercial agreements and governance matters. He has particular expertise in public and private M&A transactions, joint ventures and equity financings. David acts for a number of listed companies, including BHP, GSK, IAG, Marston’s and SEGRO.

His recent significant transactions include advising:

  • SEGRO on its recommended takeover of Tritax Eurobox
  • BHP on its proposed offer for Anglo American
  • Marston’s on its brewery joint venture with Carlsberg and subsequent £206 million disposal of its 40% interest in the joint venture
  • The Restaurant Group on the recommended £506 million cash offer by Apollo
  • Deutsche Bank on its £410 million recommended cash offer for Numis Corporation
  • Cineworld on the UK aspects of its Chapter 11 filing
  • GSK on the demerger of its consumer health business to form Haleon
  • United Health Group on its £1.2 billion recommended offer for EMIS Group
  • BHP on the unification of its dual listed company structure and the US$294 million disposal of its interest in the Cerrejón energy coal joint venture in Colombia to Glencore
  • Arrow Global Group on the recommended £563 million cash offer by Sherwood Acquisitions
  • IAG on its rights issue to raise up to €2.75 billion
  • William Hill on its recommended £2.9 billion cash takeover by Caesars Entertainment
  • GSK on its £3.1 billion sale of Horlicks and other consumer healthcare nutrition brands to Unilever and numerous other M&A transactions
  • The Restaurant Group on its acquisition of Wagamama, the restructuring of its Leisure Group through a CVA and a placing and open offer to raise £175 million

David is named as a leading individual in the ‘Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability’ in Chambers UK 2022, Chambers Europe 2021 and Chambers Global 2021. He is also listed as a leading individual for ‘Life Sciences: Transactional’ in Chambers UK 2021 and listed in the ‘M&A: Premium Deals’ section of the Legal500 UK 2021.

Key quotes:

“David Johnson leverages years of experience working in corporate finance into an excellent transactional advisory practice. He is sought after for his counsel on high-end public and private M&A and joint ventures.” Chambers UK 2023

"David is excellent, and always keeps responsibility for the work." Chambers UK 2021