Simon Rous

Chairman and Head of Corporate
T: +44 (0)7977 471330
s.rous@ashfords.co.uk

Trusted adviser to public companies, start-up businesses, non-UK companies and venture capital investors, Simon specialises in mergers, acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures, mbis/mbos, venture capital and shareholding structures.

"Ashfords have been our legal advisers for many years and we think of them as part of the team. Their advice is always of the highest quality and demonstrates their clear understanding of our business and objectives".
Mike Hobbs, Financial Director and Company Secretary, Centrax Limited

Dividing his time between Ashfords' offices in London and Exeter, Simon provides clients of a truly global nature with City quality advice at regional charge-out rates.

"Ashfords have advised Gemalto for many years. The drive and energy of the Ashfords team makes them our natural choice".
Marc Bergmann, Senior Vice-President, Gemalto

Simon joined Ashfords in 1985, following 11 years with Clifford Chance in London and overseas. As Chairman of the Management Board and Head of Corporate and Commercial Simon continues to drive and shape Ashfords.

• Sprue Aegis plc on the £20M Exclusive European distribution of BRK / First Alert fire safety products and business transfer.
• Centrax Group on the  £50m refinancing of the Centrax Group by Lloyds TSB Bank plc, comprising term loan, overdraft, revolving credit and bond facilities.
• Enghouse Systems Limited (listed on the TMX) on its Share purchase of Mettoni Limited (with subsidiaries Arc Solutions, Datapulse and Exxcom) which in 2009 had annual revenues of approximately $27m.
• Gemalto NV on its phased purchase of Serverside Group Limited
• Schlumberger plc on its auction share sale to IBM of Schlumberger's disaster recovery business serving Governments, Banks and major Corporations from 40 sites globally including France, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, UK and the USA;
• Tamares on its £46.3M refinancing and contribution by a Gibraltar SPV of 1-6 Lombard Street, London EC3 Overlooking The Bank of England to a Jersey Unit Trust and subsequent sale of the Units of the Unit Trust to Canada Life.
  

Simon Rous is deemed to be "a powerhouse around the negotiation table." His clients laud the fact that "he can literally turn deals around and achieve a better result than was expected."  
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, 2012 Edition

"Simon Rous always makes you feel like you are his most important client and nothing is too much effort and he engenders this approach throughout the firm."
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, 2012 Edition

  "Commercially astute"...
Legal 500, 2011 Edition

"Charisma factory" Simon Rous is the driving force of the practice, leading most of its high-profile transactions. He is praised for his "nimble legal mind."
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, 2011 Edition

The "excellent" Simon Rous heads Ashfords LLP's "extremely responsive" corporate practice
Legal 500, 2010 Edition
 
"Department head Simon Rous is universally recognised as "an exceptional corporate lawyer," with clients enthusing. "He's highly experienced, with good client - handling skills and a great commercial focus."
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, 2009 Edition

"The team is headed by Simon Rous, who is lauded as "a fantastic ambassador for Ashfords." With an established reputation for public company flotation, MBO and M&A work, clients comment on his "fantastic ability to win work and then get the transaction up and running."
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, 2008 Edition