Ashurst's global head of corporate Stephen Lloyd has resigned from the partnership one week after the official merger (November 1) between Ashurst and legacy Australian firm Blake Dawson.
Cambridge educated Lloyd made partner in 2003 and has been head of Ashurst's corporate group since July 2010 and joint-head of the newly merged firm's corporate, commercial and competition team alongside Sydney based partner Phil Breden since July 2013. His practice covers all manner of M&A and corporate finance advice to companies, banks and equity financiers with a focus on private equity, healthcare and real estate.
Recent deals in 2013 saw Lloyd lead teams to advise Canadian private equity fund Alberta Investment Management Corporation on its acquisition with OMERS Private Equity of Vue Entertainment from Doughty Hanson and Morrisons Supermarkets on its 25-year agreement with Ocado to launch a customer grocery deliveries service.
The news of the departure follows a recent management reshuffle by Ashurst in the context of the merger. The process saw litigation partner Ben Tidswell take the new chairman post with Sydney-based Mary Padbury as vice-chair. The new global management board was created from four legacy Ashurst and three legacy Blake Dawson (Ashurst Australia) partners: Simon Beddow (London), Mark Vickers (London), Cristina Calvo (Madrid), Reinhard Eyring (Frankfurt), Roger Davies (Perth), Ian Williams (Sydney) and Peter Armitage (Sydney).