Andrew Williams Partner

Andrew is a corporate lawyer specialising in negotiated mergers and acquisitions, corporate law and complex commercial transactions.

He has 25 years’ experience advising on strategic and complex transactions for a broad range of clients across many industries. His clients include industry and global leaders in FMCG, private equity, financial services, procurement and logistics, pharmaceuticals and many other industry sectors.

Andrew has been repeatedly recognised as a leading lawyer in Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Law and Commercial Law.

Experience

M&A, Corporate and Commercial Transactions

Archer Capital

Advised on its sale of V8 Supercars Holdings Pty Ltd.

Unilever

Advising on their strategic commercial transactions and M&A in Australia including: corporate governance and compliance, strategic outsourcing, procurement and distribution projects, global transactions and recent local acquisitions of Weis Frozen Foods and T2 Tea sales of local brands and businesses including Raguletto and Chicken Tonight; advising in relation to various transactions relating to its foods business and RTD operations; advising Unilever Ventures in relation to investments in Australia.

Macquarie

Advising on various strategic transactions and M&A.

Rentokil

Advising on strategic global and numerous local acquisitions of hygiene and pest control businesses.

Australian Turf Club

Advising on strategic transactions, corporate governance and key commercial arrangements, including with Foundation Partners such as Moet & Chandon, TAB, Longines and The Star.

Other Commercial and M&A

Advising numerous industry leading organisations on a range of strategic transactions, joint ventures and M&A, including Coca-Cola Amatil, Seven Network, EG Group, Arrium and Ruralco.

Pharmaceuticals

Advising on various matters, including: Boehringer Ingelheim on strategic transactions and M&A; Zoetis Inc on the Australian aspects of its global acquisition of Nexvet Biopharma Plc; SK Capital on its acquisition of Tasmanian Alkaloids and ongoing corporate, governance and commercial advice.

Infrastructure and co-investment

Advising on various matters, including: USS on acquisitions of Sydney Airport Link and Brisbane Airtrain, and ongoing commercial advice on investments in Australia; CP2 and consortium participants on various transactions, including the acquisition in Melbourne of Horizon Roads;advising various clients in relation to consortium participation in numerous Macquarie led cross-border acquisitions.

Other FMCG

Advising Gazal on the negotiated disposals and related commercial transactions for its Bisley Workwear business and Trade Secret business and retail outlets to TJ Maxx; advising on aspects of Gazal’s $330m take private transaction by PVH Corp (owner of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger); advising McDonalds on strategic commercial transactions and M&A in Australia; advising Samsung on commercial transactions; advising PepsiCo Smiths and Obela in relation to various commercial transactions; advising Tyrrells in relation to its acquisition of Yarra Valley Snacks; advising Pick’n’Pay in relation to the sale of Franklins to Metcash; advising Franklins on various commercial transactions and M&A.

Not for profit and community

Advising various clients on strategic projects, governance, establishing foundations and bespoke transactions including the ATC, The Ramsay Centre, St Vincents, Meals on Wheels, KartingNSW, Hey Girls and JusticeNSW.

Private Equity

Gauge Capital

Advising Gauge Capital on its acquisition of Loving Tan.

Archer

Advising Archer in relation to acquisitions of LCR Group from Champ Private Equity, Aero-Care from Next Capital, Dun & Bradstreet; advising Archer portfolio company Supercars on various strategic commercial transactions and M&A

Canberra Data Centres

Advising Canberra Data Centres and shareholders in their sale to Quadrant Private Equity.

MYOB

Advising the MYOB management team in relation to the MYOB IPO

Macquarie

Advising Macquarie on the sale of its private equity business to ROC Equity Partners; advising numerous management teams in relation to equity participation with private equity investors (including BIS Cleanaway, TCC/George Patts, Royal Wolf, PBL Media, Coates HIre, Hoyts and Cellarmasters).

Recognition

Career & qualifications

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Laws (Hons), University of Adelaide
  • Bachelor of Commerce, University of Adelaide

Memberships

  • The Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association Limited
  • New South Wales Law Society
  • South Australian Law Society