Tom Richards is the co-head of Simpson Thacher’s European Finance and Capital Markets group. Based in London, Tom advises private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on a wide range of multi-jurisdictional leveraged financings and other complex financing transactions.
Tom is ranked Band 1 for Leveraged Finance: Big Ticket by Chambers, where clients describe him as “exceptionally calm, pragmatic and extremely sharp” and “an outstanding lawyer.” Clients also praise him as “highly knowledgeable” and “able to find innovative solutions,” commending his “level of energy and commitment to getting work done.”
Tom is recognized as a “Leading Individual” for Acquisition Finance by Legal 500 U.K.
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Work Highlights
Notable experience prior to joining Simpson Thacher includes advising:
- Advent International on the financing of numerous acquisitions, refinancings, recapitalizations and bids, including the take-privates of InPost, u-blox, Cobham plc, Laird plc and Brammer plc, and the carve-out acquisitions of Evonik’s methacrylates business (Röhm) and GE’s Distributed Power business (INNIO)
- Bain Capital on the financing of multiple transactions, including its acquisition of the Kantar business from WPP plc and follow-on acquisition of Numerator, and its acquisitions of Softway Medical, Jensten Group, Valeo Foods and Inetum
- CVC on the financing of multiple transactions, including its acquisitions of a stake in the French football league, Clevertech, La Piadineria, Sogelink and Panzani, and the run-off insurance business RiverStone Europe
- Ardian on the financing of multiple transactions, including its strategic investment in the Diot-Siaci Group, the refinancing of its portfolio company Dedalus and, together with Neuberger Berman, the acquisition of Neopharmed
Accolades
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Chambers U.K., Band 1, Leveraged Finance: Big Ticket (2027)
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Chambers Global, Band 1, Leveraged Finance: Big Ticket – U.K. (2026)
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Legal 500 U.K., “Leading Individual” for Acquisition Finance
Education
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BPP Law School, 2005
L.P.C.
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BPP Law School London, 2004
G.D.L.
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Newcastle University, 2003
B.A.
Based in Simpson Thacher’s London office, Tom Richards co-leads the Firm’s European Finance and Capital Markets group.
A leading European leveraged finance lawyer, his practice incorporates advising private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on a wide range of multi-jurisdictional leveraged financings and other complex financing transactions, and he covers the full range of financing options for sponsors, from large-cap bank and bond transactions to private credit.
Tom has represented leading global sponsors on numerous largescale and complex financings, including take-private transactions, carve-outs, recapitalizations, refinancings and IPO financings. He also advises on liability management and strategic capital solutions.
Notable experience prior to joining Simpson Thacher includes advising:
- Advent International on the financing of numerous acquisitions, refinancings, recapitalizations and bids, including the take-privates of InPost, u-blox, Cobham plc, Laird plc and Brammer plc, and the carve-out acquisitions of Evonik’s methacrylates business (Röhm) and GE’s Distributed Power business (INNIO)
- Bain Capital on the financing of multiple transactions, including its acquisition of the Kantar business from WPP plc and follow-on acquisition of Numerator, and its acquisitions of Softway Medical, Jensten Group, Valeo Foods and Inetum
- CVC on the financing of multiple transactions, including its acquisitions of a stake in the French football league, Clevertech, La Piadineria, Sogelink and Panzani, and the run-off insurance business RiverStone Europe
- Ardian on the financing of multiple transactions, including its strategic investment in the Diot-Siaci Group, the refinancing of its portfolio company Dedalus and, together with Neuberger Berman, the acquisition of Neopharmed
Tom has worked for extended periods on secondment at Goldman Sachs and HSBC in their leveraged finance teams.
He is ranked Band 1 for Leveraged Finance: Big Ticket by Chambers, where clients describe him as “exceptionally calm, pragmatic and extremely sharp” and note that he “has the right balance of legal and business acumen.”
He is also recognized as a “Leading Individual” for Acquisition Finance by Legal 500 U.K. and as a “Market Leader” for Banking by IFLR1000 U.K. Tom was also named among Financial News’ “Most Influential in European Finance” and The Lawyer’s “Hot 100”.
Tom received his L.P.C. from BPP Law School in 2005 and his G.D.L. from BPP Law School in 2004, having previously obtained his B.A. from Newcastle University in 2003. He is admitted to practice in England and Wales.