Profile details
About May Smith
May is a partner in our London tax team, with an international corporate tax practice covering private and public M&A, joint ventures, capital markets, funds structuring and restructurings.
May works across a wide range of sectors, including energy and natural resources, pharma and consumer goods groups. She also regularly advises financial sponsors (including on their management incentivisation arrangements).
Recent work
May’s experience includes advising:
- Universal Music Group on its majority investment in independent Afrobeats record label Mavin Global
- General Atlantic on its significant minority investment in Partners Capital Investment Group
- General Atlantic on its additional investment in Argus Media Group
- General Dynamics Corporation on the sale of its General Dynamics Mission Systems – Italy division
- AstraZeneca on its acquisition of Gracell Biotechnologies Inc, a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative cell therapies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases
- GIC on its acquisition of Cinven's interest in Miller, the leading independent specialist (re)insurance broker
- Convatec Group on the acquisition of the advanced wound care business of the 30 Technology group
- AstraZeneca on its $39bn acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals
- Aveva Group on its takeover by Schneider Electric
- Cinven and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board on an investment in the combination of group.ONE and the dogado group, creating a leading pan-European one-stop-shop provider of online presence solutions for SMEs
- General Atlantic on the acquisition of a stake of approximately 21 per cent in Gymshark, the fitness community and apparel brand in its first-ever fundraise, valuing the business at over £1bn
- Grünenthal, the Germany-based global leader in pain management and related diseases, on a collaboration with Kyowa Kirin International, the Japan-based global specialty pharmaceutical company, regarding Kyowa Kirin's established medicines portfolio
- Haleon on its demerger from GSK and its listing on the London Stock Exchange
- Honeywell on the combination of Honeywell Quantum Solutions and Cambridge Quantum Computing
- iCON Infrastructure on its partnership with Royal Caribbean Group to develop strategic cruise port infrastructure
- Oxford University on its £4bn development partnership with Legal & General and subsequent agreements for Legal & General to finance and develop the new Life & Mind Building and the Begbroke Science Park
- Starbucks Corporation on its US$7.15bn global coffee alliance with Nestlé S.A
Qualifications
Education
- Magdalen College, University of Oxford, UK (BA (Hons) Modern History and Politics)
- Oxford Brookes University, UK (Graduate Diploma In Law)
- Oxford Institute of Legal Practice, UK (Legal Practice Course)
Professional qualifications
Solicitor, England and Wales