Mike Watson
Managing Partner, Operations , Corporate and Commercial
I was appointed as Managing Partner of Trethowans in April 2021.
Prior to becoming Managing Partner, I led the firm’s Corporate Team for more than 10 years. Alongside being Managing Partner, I continue to specialise in the sale and purchase of companies and businesses and am seen as a leading individual in this field.
I advise clients on a wide range of related company matters, such as joint venture agreements, shareholders agreements and investment agreements, as well as general advice on compliance with the Companies Act.
My clients range from fully listed international companies through to owner-managed businesses.
I am a Recommended Lawyer in the Legal 500 2021 guide which notes: ‘Mike Watson and Lucy Gleisner are key individuals at the practice. Both are well informed, and put their clients’ objectives first. Great listeners and communicators. Both are able to work through complicated issues to a resolution’.
Michael commands the respect of clients and transaction teams generally. He always progresses a deal rather than causing issues and I find him pragmatic and easy to deal with - Chambers and Partners 2020
Areas of Expertise
Case Study
Some of my recent work highlights include:
Acting for the shareholders of an international group of companies in the bio-chemical sector in the sale of the group to an overseas acquirer.
Acting for a majority shareholder in the sale of his company to management (MBO), with the acquisition being funded by a mixture of cash and loan notes as well as ordinary shares and preferences shares in the acquiring entity.
Acting for a plc on two recent acquisitions.
Acting on a number of transactions involving the sale and purchase of regional builders merchants.
Acting for a plc on its outsourced logistics contract with a value into the tens of millions.
What others say
“Mike Watson is highly regarded for his work on a broad range of corporate matters. His expertise includes M&A deals for both sellers and buyers, shareholder and investment agreements and joint venture matters. He is praised for his ‘very pragmatic’ approach” – Chambers 2017
