Clifford Chance
Simon Thomas is the London Head of Capital Markets at Clifford Chance. He advises issuers, sponsors and underwriters on a wide range of equity capital markets (ECM) transactions, including IPOs, rights issues, global depositary receipts, and equity placings in the UK and internationally.
Recognised as one of the UK’s leading ECM specialists, Simon also frequently advises on complex, high-profile M&A transactions with equity components, and has significant experience across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
- THG on its step-up from the Standard listing segment to the ESCC listing segment in London in 2025
- Partners Group and EBRD in connection with the IPO and Warsaw Stock Exchange listing of Zabka Group in 2024
- Pfizer Inc. in connection with its US$10 billion sale of shares in Haleon plc in 2024 and 2025
- Harbour Energy in connection with its US$11.2 billion reverse takeover of substantially all of Wintershall Dea’s upstream oil and gas assets in 2023
- WestRock in connection with its US$11.2 billion combination with Smurfit Kappa and listing on NYSE in 2023
- RBC and Morgan Stanley in connection with Metro Bank plc’s debt and equity recapitalisation in 2023
- Volvo Cars, the largest shareholder in Polestar, on Polestar’s De-SPAC, acquisition by Gors Guggenheim Inc and listing on NASDAQ New York in 2021
- The IPOs and listings of Guaranty Trust Holding Company, Stelrad Group, Volvo Cars, PensioBee, Pepco, InPost, SDIC Power Holdings, Hostmore, Calisen Group, Vivo Energy, Bakkavor, TI Fluids Systems, Jackpotjoy, The Gym Group, Integrated Diagnostic Holdings, John Laing Group, B&M European Value Retail, Nostrum Oil & Gas, Gulf Marine Services, Crest Nicholson, Jubilant Oil and Gas
- Barclays on its GBP£6 billion rights issue.
- Interview with London Stock Exchange - Reform of the UK Capital Markets in 2024 - https://www.lsegissuerservices.com/spark/ns96BopCH8U8QFBfYcL4j8/reform-of-the-uk-capital-markets-in-2024
News and client work
Contact details
- Clifford Chance, London
- +442070062926
- Email me
- Practice area Capital markets
- Sector Real estate, Energy & resources, Private equity
Career and qualifications
- Trainee Solicitor, Clifford Chance, 1996
- Admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales 1998
- Partner since 2008
- London Head of Capital Markets since 2022
Awards and citations
- "He has an excellent grasp of the technical aspects of transactions and can be trusted to work through issues on complex deals."
"Simon is hugely knowledgeable and a safe pair of hands."
"Simon has an outstanding legal mind, coupled with depth of experience and a rare level of commercial acumen."
Chambers UK 2025 - ‘Simon Thomas is a fantastic partner with deep knowledge of the market. Handles meetings very effectively.”
Legal 500 2025 - “Simon is a powerhouse. You are always reassured that he will pay your matter attention, not simply delegating to junior team members. However, he always has a junior and you can see the knowledge transfer. Simon is particularly good at managing banking colleagues. He has the gravitas and knowledge to reassure them but delivers the advice in a down-to-earth and practical way, enabling it to be digested and used.”
“Encyclopedic knowledge of the listing rules.”
IFLR100 2024