Stuart Alford
Stuart Alford is a partner in Morrison Foerster's Corporate Group in London. He advises leading multinational companies, private equity sponsors, venture capital investors and emerging growth businesses on cross-border M&A transactions, private equity investments, venture financings, joint ventures, reorganizations and other strategic corporate matters.
Stuart focuses his practice on the technology sector, regularly advising artificial intelligence, semiconductor, robotics and other deep technology businesses, helping clients navigate the legal, commercial and regulatory issues arising in their most significant transactions. His broad industry experience further extends into consumer products, healthcare, fintech and transportation.
Stuart advises private equity sponsors throughout the investment lifecycle, from platform and bolt-on acquisitions to portfolio company matters, exits and restructurings, with experience supporting U.S.-headquartered sponsors on their European investments. In his venture capital practice, Stuart serves as investor counsel in early- and late-stage financings, including representing strategic investors in the planning and execution of their corporate venture capital programs.
Stuart is recognised by The Legal 500 UK as a Recommended Lawyer for Corporate and Commercial: M&A (Upper Mid-Market and Premium Deals) and Venture Capital.
Experience
SoftBank
On multiple transactions including its proposed acquisition of Swiss-headquartered ABB’s robotics division at an enterprise value of $5.375 billion, its $65 billion proposed sale of Arm to NVIDIA and its investments in Airtel Africa and Goggo Networks.
Uber
On several cross-border transactions, including its acquisition of Dantaxi and its investment in Wayve Technologies, a leading UK-based developer of embodied AI for autonomous vehicles.
Arm Holdings plc
The world’s leading semiconductor IP company, on its $5.22 billion IPO on Nasdaq, the largest IPO of 2023.
Coral Tree Partners
On its acquisition of DMC International, a technical broadcast production company with production centres across Denmark and Sweden.
Charles River Laboratories
On the sale of selected European drug discovery services assets within its Discovery Services business to IQVIA Holdings Inc.
General Catalyst
On its $72 million Series A investment in Cambridge-based Maxion Therapeutics.
Axalta Coating Systems
On its $590 million acquisition of U-POL Holdings Limited, a leading paint, protective coatings, and accessories manufacturer for the automotive aftermarket.
Bow River Capital
And its portfolio company Accelo on Accelo’s acquisition of Forecast, a UK-based AI-enabled project and resource management software provider.
U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
On several cross-border transactions, including its equity investment in Cassava Technologies, a technology company of African heritage providing a vertically integrated ecosystem of digital services and infrastructure.
Vonage Holdings
On its $350 million recommended cash offer for NewVoiceMedia Limited, an industry-leading cloud contact center provider.
Infobip
A global communications platform, on its $200 million investment from One Equity Partners and its subsequent acquisition of the SMS firewall business, Anam Technologies.
Unity Technologies Inc.
A video game software development company, on its acquisitions of DeltaDNA and Artomatix.
Verdane
On the merger of its portfolio company, Confirmit, with EQT’s portfolio company, FocusVision.
Ally Bridge Group
On its Series D investment in CMR Surgical, a global surgical robotics business and its investment in Benevolent AI, a clinical-stage AI-enabled drug discovery company.
Rankings
Recommended: Corporate & Commercial: M&A: upper mid-market and premium deal, £500m+
Legal 500 UK 2022 – 2026
Recommended: Corporate & Commercial: Venture Capital
Legal 500 UK 2023-2024
Private Equity Practice Group of the Year
Law360 2021