Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance Corporate Partner James Bole returns from a two-year secondment to the Takeover Panel

International law firm Clifford Chance welcomes Corporate Partner James Bole back from a two-year secondment (September 2017 – September 2019) as Secretary to the Takeover Panel, the independent regulator of takeovers and other matters to which the City Code applies.

James began his M&A career in Clifford Chance's Corporate practice, where he worked on a number of the most significant transactions in the market, including Kraft Foods' unsolicited £11.9 billion takeover of Cadbury, the proposed combination of EADS and BAE Systems and the 2017 formal sale process, restructuring and recapitalisation of the Co-operative Bank.

During an active period for the Takeover Panel, James was a key decision maker on many of the highest-profile takeovers including roles on the £25 billion contested battle for Sky, GKN's £8 billion unsolicited acquisition of Melrose and Advent International's £4 billion takeover of Cobham.

Commenting on his secondment and return to the firm, James said: "It was a real privilege to be seconded as Secretary to the Panel, particularly during a period of strong M&A activity. During my time, I was extremely fortunate to have worked on a number of prominent and complex cases which were implemented against a backdrop of continued local and geo-political uncertainty and public debate about the conduct of takeovers and protection of important domestic assets."

"I very much look forward to using the insights gained during my time at the Panel to support the firm's key strategic areas and further develop our successful public M&A practice."

Guy Norman, Global Head of Corporate, added: “We are delighted to welcome James back to the firm. His direct experience gained from overseeing highly complex and often contentious aspects of takeovers will bring an invaluable benefit to our team and our clients in navigating the full range of practical, regulatory and tactical issues that arise on public M&A transactions.”

James is the third Clifford Chance Partner to complete a secondment as Secretary to the Takeover Panel, after Guy Norman, Global Head of Corporate, and Jeremy Sandelson, Former Global Head of Litigation.