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Neil Campbell

Partner
The ‘superb’ Neil Campbell continues to forge strong private equity relationships, while for lender work he is particularly active on tech-related mandates, including in the context of recurring revenue deals.
Legal 500 UK, 2024
About

Neil Campbell is a leveraged finance lawyer with over 15 years’ experience in structuring and negotiating complex debt finance transactions, in particular in connection with leveraged acquisitions and other event-driven situations.

Neil advises private credit funds, bank lenders and private equity sponsors on debt products throughout the capital structure, including senior/stretch-senior, unitranche, first lien/second lien, mezz, PIK, super senior and FOLO.

Neil has substantial experience in esoteric financing products, such as (late-stage) ARR lending, and in specialised situations, such as public-to-private transactions and competitive bid/auction processes.

Neil also advises international corporates (and lenders to large corporates) on their corporate financing transactions, including in connection with IPOs and M&A.

Neil has particular focus on cross-border financing transactions and works very closely with colleagues (and friends!), in various practice groups, across the global DLA Piper network.

Areas of FocusFinanceReal Estate

EXPERIENCE

  • HSBC Innovation as mandated lead arranger and Citibank, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, two other major investment banks and another major financial institution as lenders on financing for Wise, in connection with the largest ever direct listing, and the largest ever tech listing, on the London Stock Exchange.
  • Zedra, a Corsair asset, on unitranche and super senior financing (FOLO) provided by Hayfin, Macquarie and a major financial institution.
  • Preqin, the global leader in alternative assets data, analytics, and insights, on unitranche financing provided by Barings and Arcmont Asset Management to support the acquisition of Colmore, a leading private markets technology, services, and administration business.
  • Bridgepoint Credit and a major financial institution on unitranche and SSRCF financing for the acquisition of JSM Group, a Rutland asset.
  • Barings on unitranche financing of the Nordic-based Benify group, a Vitruvian Partners asset.
  • Barings and a major financial institution in respect of unitranche and SSRCF financing provided to recapitalise the acquisition by LLCP of a work management software business.
  • HSBC Innovation on ARR financing for Luxion, a Gro Capital asset, in connection with the public-to-private acquisition of Digizuite.
  • HSBC Innovation on ARR financing for Tellent, a Providence asset.
  • HSBC Innovation and SVB Capital on senior / mezz financing provided to recapitalise Rydoo, a Marlin asset.
  • HSBC Innovation and SVB Capital on senior / mezz financing provided to recapitalise RealVNC, a Livingbridge asset.
  • HSBC Innovation on ARR financing for ContentServ, an Investcorp Technology Partners asset.
  • Two major financial institutions, a private credit fund, AIG, Investec and Bank of Ireland in connection with senior financing provided in connection with the acquisition of GL Education by Levine Leichtman Capital Partners.
  • Fremman Capital on unitranche and super senior financing provided to support the acquisition of Kids Planet, the largest independently owned childcare group in the UK.
  • Sun European Partners on unitranche and super senior financing provided to support the acquisition of WesCom Signal and Rescue, the world's leading manufacturer and supplier of pyrotechnic marine distress signals.
  • Sun European Partners on unitranche and super senior financing provided to support the acquisition of CNC Holdings, which specialises in the production and transportation of substrates for mushroom cultivation.
  • A major financial institution in respect of financing provided to recapitalise disguise, a Carlyle European Technology Partners asset.
Education
  • University of Leicester, LLB Law, 2005
  • Nottingham Law School, Legal Practice Course, 2006

Prior Experience

  • 2019 to 2020, senior lead lawyer, DLA Piper
  • 2014 to 2019, lead lawyer, DLA Piper
  • 2009 to 2014, lawyer, DLA Piper
  • 2007 to 2009, trainee solicitor, DLA Piper

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