Flotations: small and mid cap (this includes AIM)
Charles Russell LLP's work has increased in both size and value, and has an increasingly international flavour. Simon Gilbert leads the team and handles much of the issuer-side work, recently advising Mwana Africa on its £43.5m AIM placing, while Clive Hopewell focuses on the broker-side. The firm received its first instructions from JP Morgan Cazenove in 2006.

M&A smaller deals
Charles Russell LLP completed 79 deals averaging around £14m in 2006. Chief among these was advice to Canaccord Adams on two acquisitions worth over US$300m in total. Alexander Keepin led on these deals, and practice head Simon Gilbert was also very active.

Cheltenham
Charles Russell LLP's Cheltenham corporate team, which offers a 'top-drawer level of service', is led by a triumvirate of renowned partners: Adrian Mayer, European M&A specialist Richard Norton and team head Francis Rundall. The practice covers corporate finance, M&A and securities, with the team undertaking 30 transactions with an aggregate value exceeding £500m in 2006. Recent highlights include advice to various hedge funds on the takeover of Global Oceanic Carriers Limited, to Comino Group on its £48m takeover by Seveka, and to Trifast on its acquisition of a controlling stake in Techfast. The development of the team's AIM practice is indicated by new client win JPMorgan Cazenove, which it advised along with Canaccord on the placing of US$158m shares in Aricom.


Guildford
Charles Russell LLP acted for South Western Investments and its shareholders on the sales of the Park Lane International Hotel and its business. Corporate head Geoff Sparks was the key partner involved. Other clients include Brewing Research International and Domo.

Oxford
Peter Elliot's 'reliable team' at Charles Russell LLP's Oxford office punches above its weight. The office serves primarily as a corporate finance platform for PLUS and AIM market deals for clients including Bibby Financial, Rapidol and Eco Securities. The firm advised AIM-listed Celoxica Holdings on its proposed share reorganisation and placements.

Mining and Minerals
Charles Russell LLP has a 'good and growing knowledge' of the natural resources sector. Under corporate finance partner Clive Hopewell, the team continues to garner a substantial amount of mining-related flotation work. It recently acted for African Consolidated Resources on its AIM listing and £4m fundraising..