New partner to lead Olswang’s investment funds practice - News

Olswang has boosted its investment funds capability with the appointment of Andrew Wylie to lead its investment funds practice.

Andrew joins Olswang from Macfarlanes where he spent over a year in the investment funds group specialising in the regulatory, corporate and commercial law aspects of transactions. Prior to joining Macfarlanes, Andrew worked for seven years in Freshfields' investment funds group.

Andrew was seconded to the British Property Federation for six months in 2004 where he co- wrote the Joint Industry Response to the Consultation Document on REITs, published by the Government in March 2004. Following his secondment, Andrew became a member of the joint industry REITs Steering Group.

At Olswang, Andrew will develop the firm's investment funds practice by utilising his extensive expertise in the structuring, establishment, promotion and operation of various investment funds, including private equity funds, property funds and tax advantaged schemes.

Commenting on his decision to join Olswang Andrew said, "I am excited to be joining a firm that will give me the opportunity to expand its investment funds capability and build an industry-recognised team."

The Olswang corporate group comprises four teams: mainstream corporate, private equity, finance and tax. The group offers advice on a range of deals, including corporate and commercial, domestic flotations, public offers, corporate finance, corporate joint ventures, private equity, financing, investment funds and MBO work. Andrew's appointment will support the high level of work in the corporate group which generated around 40% of Olswang's revenue this year and will boost the established group to 28 partners.

Commenting on Andrew's appointment, Tony Leifer, head of corporate at Olswang, said, "As we continue to grow, we recognised the need to expand and improve our investment funds offering. Our aim is to be recognised as one of the premier firms in this field and with Andrew’s background, experience and enthusiasm we are on track to achieve this goal. We are looking forward to welcoming him to the firm."

Olswang boasts an enviable client list and has recently advised New Star Asset Management Group PLC on its £704 million admission to AIM; Dawnay, Day Treveria PLC on its admission to AIM, the second biggest AIM fund raising of 2005 and the second largest fund raising in the market's history; Tchenguiz Family Trust, acting through its manager R20, in its role as a lead investor in the private equity consortium established for the takeover bid for the Somerfield supermarket group; UBS Triton Property Fund; funds advised by Delancey Estates; and UBS South East Recovery Fund on establishing a £600 million fund to invest in office property in South East England.