Charles Russell's Corporate Finance Group is independently recognised as one of the best for our size in the UK for M&A, AIM and corporate finance in general. Below are our latest profiles for the leading independent directories.

Chambers Directory 2007
Corporate Finance AIM
Corporate finance is another area in which the firm is experiencing a great deal of success, with its work in the buoyant AIM market of particular note. It acted on deals worth more than £450 million in the first half of 2006 - 15 for issuers and 13 comprising an international element. Complex corporate work also arrives in a steady flow, and much of this has an international flavour. Highlights include acting for Arian Silver Corporation on its multimillion-pound reverse takeover of Hard Assets.

Department head Simon Gilbert "doesn't get bogged down in technicalities," say appreciative clients, and takes a hands-on approach to the work.

AIM flotations are also a particular area of expertise and highlights include advising Sirius Exploration on its AIM listing. As head of the department, Francis Rundall enjoys a reputation as "king of the castle" and an "extremely able and sound practitioner."

Legal 500 Directory 2006
Flotations: small and mid cap (this includes AIM)
Through 2005 Charles Russell LLP maintained its prolific small-cap practice. It handled 36 AIM transactions, mostly on the broker side. Yet highlights for 2005 also included acting for foreign natural resources companies, most notably African Gold plc on its £55.3m reverse takeover by Mwana African Holdings. The practice is led by ‘nice guy’ Simon Gilbert.

Mining and Minerals
The corporate finance team at Charles Russell LLP, headed up by Simon Gilbert, has advised on AIM placements by mining companies, including the listing of Gemfield Resources operating in Zambia, acting for Canaccord Capital (Europe), and the £5m placing of Latitude Resources. The team also advised African Gold plc, now Mwana Africa plc, on its reverse takeover by Mwana Africa Holdings.

Legal 500 Directory
2005

Corporate Finance AIM
Charles Russell is particularly strong in advising brokers. It has a good relationship with Canaccord, advising it in 2004 on the £40.5m AIM admission of Oriel resources, and the £15m placing for European Nickel. The firm completed 20 AIM transactions in 2004. The practice is lead by the 'accessible and understanding' Simon Gilbert.

Chambers & Partners
2005 - 2006

Corporate Finance
The firms: This firm enjoys a reputation among clients for its "prompt, professional and personal service," adopting a "partner-led approach to transactions. The firm remains an enigma to peers who are impressed with a group that manages to combine cutting-edge corporate and AIM work with traditional private client matters in both the City and beyond. Clients are drawn from the ranks of financial advisers, issuers, brokers and growing corporates, who lauded the firm's "reasonable and sensible pricing". Membership of two overseas law associations services clients' cross-border requirements. The team recently acted for Canaccord Capital (Europe) and Durlacher on the £35 million placing and admission to AIM of NETeller.

The lawyers: Clients appreciate that Simon Gilbert is "well-attuned to the negotiating process" and "knows when to intervene and not to". His "quiet and unassuming manner" was also seen as a strength.

Clients/Work highlights: The team advised AIM-listed Spiritel on its acquisition of and reverse takeover by the shareholders of Expo communications. It also acted for Bema Gold Corporation on the issue of $70 million convertible bonds and its Luxembourg listing. New clients include African Gold and Carnival.