Stuart Alford
Stuart Alford is a partner based in the Corporate Group.
Stuart’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, joint ventures, reorganizations and general corporate advisory matters. He has particular experience in the technology space, and regularly advises European, Asian and U.S.-based clients on complex cross-border mergers and acquisitions and investments.
Prior to joining Morrison Foerster in 2017, Stuart trained and practiced in the London and Hong Kong offices of an international law firm. During that appointment, he was seconded to a leading investment bank where he assisted with a range of transactions across Europe and the Middle East.
Stuart received his M.A. (Hons.) degree in International Relations from the University of St. Andrews, and his law degree from the College of Law, London. He is qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales.
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.
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.
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.
SoundCloud
An audio distribution and music sharing platform, on its $75 million investment from Sirius XM.
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