Louise Workman

Partner and CEO

Biography

Louise has been a key member of the firm’s management board since 2018 and was appointed as Ashfords’ CEO in 2020.

Louise has provided significant input into the firm’s recently revised strategy and spearheaded the firm’s client service quality standard, ‘Ashford Expects’. Her priority is to focus on continued delivery of quality and value to Ashfords’ clients while encouraging ongoing collaboration & innovation across the firm, building on the firms’ reputation for excellent client service and commitment to ensuring the personal and professional development and wellbeing of staff.

Louise trained at Norton Rose and spent 5 years as an Associate in the corporate finance department before moving to Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP. She was a corporate finance Partner at BLP for 10 years and headed its retail team before joining Ashfords in 2010.

She has significant corporate experience in group structures, both local and cross border, and has advised on major strategic issues such as global joint ventures as well as fundraisings and M&A plans - advising the likes of LK Bennett, HelloFresh and Penhaligons.

Louise’s deep understanding of Ashfords’ business, culture and people, her strengths in client service and experience in advising boards on their strategic priorities make her well placed to lead the firm in the next phase of its journey.

Relevant experience

  • Frugi: Advising the shareholders of a leading organic children’s clothing maker, Frugi on the acquisition by True, Europe’s only retail and consumer investment and innovation firm.
  • Torquay Leisure Hotels: Advising management team of the multi-hotel and leisure resort on its management buy-out. The management buy-out was backed by Connection Capital and Santander Bank.
  • Swallowfield plc: Advising the plc on the sale of its manufacturing business to Canadian group, Knowlton Development Corporation (KDC), in a deal worth £35m which was subject to shareholder approval.

  • Datum Alloys: Advising on the management buyout of steel stencil foils manufacturer to private equity firm, Rockpool.

  • Pennon plc: Advising on its £100 million acquisition of Sembcorp Bournemouth Water.

Awards and Accreditations

New CMS Leading Individual
Louise Workman

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