Edward Smith

Edward is a partner in our Finance Group.

Restructuring and insolvency

Edward's practice focuses on complex restructurings and insolvencies, as well as distressed M&A. He advises stakeholders throughout the capital structure, in particular private equity sponsors, corporates and their boards, pension schemes, and insolvency practitioners

Sector experience

Edward has a breadth of experience across varied businesses and jurisdictions. He has gained significant expertise in the retail and leisure sectors, having acted on the restructurings of a range of well-known retail brands. This expertise allowed the team to react immediately to the recent high profile retail casualties on the British high street and to secure mandates on a number of company voluntary agreements (CVAs) and other turnarounds.

Industry recognition

Edward is an active member of R3, INSOL, TMA, and the ILA, which are associations for insolvency, restructuring, advisory and turnaround professionals.

The McColl's group on its restructuring and sale of business to Morrisons.
Virgin Active on its successfully sanctioned, ground-breaking Restructuring Plan.
Harding Brothers on its successful CVA.
Azzurri Group on the sale of the Ask, Zizzi and Coco di Mama businesses through administration to US investment firm TowerBrook Capital Partners
SSP Group on its acquisition of AMT Coffee from its administrators.
Carpetright plc on its CVA, only the third time that a CVA had been implemented for a listed company.
Carluccio's Limited, the well-known Italian restaurant chain, on its restructuring and CVA.
Powerleague Fives Limited, a leading provider of 5-a-side football facilities, on its CVA.
The joint supervisors of the CVA for Caffè Nero, successfully defending a high profile legal challenge.

The joint supervisors of the CVA for Debenhams in relation to disputes brought.
The joint supervisors of the CVA for House of Fraser.
The British Steel Pension Scheme, advising on covenants and security provided by Tata Steel, and on the subsequent separation and restructuring of the pension scheme.
Alteri Investors on the acquisition of equity and debt in clothing retailers Austin Reed, Country Casuals and Viyella, and their subsequent administrations.
Giraffe Concepts, on the CVA of the Giraffe and Ed's Easy Diner restaurant business.
The selling shareholders on the sale of Vivid Toy Group Limited to Privet Capital.
Equistone Partners on its investment in and ownership of the Gaucho and Cau steak restaurant group.