A leading corporate lawyer with more than 25 years’ experience in the UK and New Zealand, Neil is the author of the firm’s annual M&A Forecast. He specialises in private equity and private company mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
Neil’s clients include private business owner-operators, a range of private equity and venture capital funds, large corporates, SME, and start-up companies. He has significant experience acting for clients on transactions in the health, education, food and beverage, and privately held business sectors.
Relationship driven, collaborative and commercial, Neil is renowned for getting the most complex deals done. He advises on all aspects of M&A and private equity, business sales, and commercial and business transactions and contracts, as well as joint ventures and shareholding arrangements. He also manages complex and often large-scale consolidations and roll up strategies.
In addition to his M&A and private equity practice, Neil advises clients on governance, director responsibilities, and strategic matters. A trusted and pragmatic adviser, he is regularly invited to contribute to strategic planning workshops and board-level discussions. As one client shared, “Neil is a top-tier commercial lawyer and is our go-to person in Auckland” (Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025).
Neil is also one of New Zealand’s leading warranty and indemnity (W&I) insurance experts, providing in-market assistance to most of the key insurers and assisting buyers and sellers with advice in connection with policies and claims.
Recognised as a leading Corporate/Commercial lawyer by top legal directories including Chambers Asia-Pacific and Chambers Global, Neil is known for his pragmatic, commercially focused approach and outstanding client service. Described by Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2024 as a dealmaker who “adds immense value by understanding commercial drivers,” Neil stands out for blending legal precision with business insight. His work in M&A has been praised for its strategic clarity and responsiveness. Clients consistently commend his foresight and accessibility, with one noting he is “at the forefront of what's going on” (Chambers Global 2023), and another simply stating: “He is exceptional” (Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024).
Neil has worked both in London at McGrigors and in Philadelphia at Pepper Hamilton LLP. Clients value his international experience, noting that he brings a global perspective to transactions.
Career highlights
Trusted legal advisor to Habit Health, one of New Zealand’s largest allied health providers, through a decade of growth and ownership transitions. Advised shareholders on the sale to Livingbridge, supported strategic acquisitions including Southern Rehab, EAP Services, Shore Physio, and Hand Rehab, and later advised on the sale of the enlarged group to Five V Capital. Provided comprehensive legal support across vendor due diligence, competition issues, disputes, and commercial matters.
Acted for Advent Partners and the other shareholders of Flintfox International (a leading point of sale software provider) on its sale to US giant, Enable Inc. The deal was completed in one month and involved complex shareholder arrangements given the large number of employee/management shareholders.
Advised ACM Holdings Limited on the sale of ACM to competitor Armourguard. The transaction involved complex competition law issues, requiring NZCC clearance on a ‘failing firm’ basis, and negotiation of a long-term transitional services agreement due to ACM’s operational reliance on the Linfox Group, amid significant market consolidation in the cash services sector.
Advised Five V Capital on its acquisition of OrbitRemit, a leading digital remittance platform operating across 25+ countries. Led all legal aspects, including due diligence, regulatory approvals, W&I insurance, and complex cost arrangements. The deal marked a key milestone for Five V’s Fund IV and its new NZ based deals team.
Advised Follett School Solutions, a leading provider of K-12 educational technology solutions in the US, on its acquisition of Access-It is a global library management system provider with more than 4,000 customers in over 45 countries. The acquisition brought together two of the most complete and innovative solutions in the school library automation market.
Advised Pencarrow Private Equity and the other shareholders of MMC on the sale of its investment administration services business to Apex Group Ltd. The transaction involved complex vendor legal due diligence, strategic guidance to senior management, and a bespoke structure. Also led a sell-side W&I ‘sell/buy/flip’ exercise. This unique deal positions MMC’s clients to benefit from Apex’s global reach and enhanced digital, compliance, and ESG service offerings.
Key legal advisor to The Centre for Climate Action Joint Venture Limited, a world-first investment fund established to help pasture-based farmers in New Zealand reduce methane emissions. Advised on implementing research, development, and commercialisation of technology to reduce emissions and support ambitious national greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Achievements and recognition
- Recognised, Corporate/Commercial, Chambers Asia-Pacific
- Recognised, Corporate/Commercial, Chambers Global
- Tier 1 team, Corporate and M&A, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
- Highly Regarded, M&A and Private Equity, IFLR1000
- Recognised, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Best Lawyers
- Recognised, Corporate Law, Best Lawyers
- Recognised, Private Equity Law, Recognised, The Best Lawyers