Steve Berry

Steve Berry

Senior Partner

Corporate Team

Talk to Our Corporate Team

Steve Berry is a founding partner at Acuity Law, with over 30 years of top-level experience both in the UK and internationally.

He has built a reputation as a highly experienced corporate lawyer and dealmaker with a demonstrable track record of advising on numerous high-value M&A transactions. Recognised as a leader in his field, Steve is listed as a leading individual in The Legal 500 and holds a Band 1 ranking from Chambers and Partners.

Steve has extensive experience guiding clients through complex and often highly technical finance structures, as well as partnerships between the private and public sectors.Clients value his approach, frequently describing him as “very good, pragmatic, commercial and doesn’t mess around.”

Steve brings board-level experience with growth companies, supporting them from early-stage funding through to exit. He has take non-executive positions with various client companies ranging from technology start-ups through to established manufacturing businesses.  As a result, his advice combines legal precision with practical, commercially focused insight.

 

Expertise
  • Corporate deals and transactions including mergers, acquisitions and disposals
  • Private equity-funded transactions and PE-backed buy and build strategies
  • Commercial projects and contracts including long-term contracts between the private and public sectors
  • Banking and finance structures, including complex and structured arrangements
  • Restructuring and distressed situations

Work Highlights

Advised the selling shareholders of Boatfolk on the sale of a UK marina business in a £100m+ deal.
Advising the selling shareholders of SureView Holdings Limited on the sale of a surveillance technology platform business to a Canadian listed company in a $50m + deal.
Acting for Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners on its acquisition of the exclusive development rights for one of the UK’s largest battery storage projects at Uskmouth power station.
Advising on the set up, structure and funding of MyPinPad, a leading company in the electronic payments sector.
Advising on the establishment of Wealthify, a robo-investment platform and its commercialisation through to a major institutional sale to Aviva
Advising on the sale of Help Me Compare Limited (trading as ActiveQuote) to Howqdens Insurance.
Advising on the establishment of Wealthify, a robo-investment platform and its commercialisation through to a major institutional sale to Aviva
Acting for Neptune 6 in its acquisition of shares in Newport Wafer Fab (NWF) from Infineon AG, together with related commercial and finance arrangements.
Advising Eco2 on renewable energy projects, including three biomass power station developments. These involved £100 million+ in financings and ultimately resulted in the sale of the project companies to financial institutions.
Advising on the creation of Verdion Properties LLP and a strategic alliance with the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan. This partnership established a £1bn+ investment platform for logistics properties across Europe.
Advising the former shareholders of Swansea City FC on the sale of the club to new US-based owners in a £100 million+ deal
Advising the shareholders of Business Systems (U.K.) Limited and Opex Hosting Limited on their sale to PE firm August Equity.
Advising the shareholders of Tripleplay Services Holdings Limited (Tripleplay) on their sale to Uniguest, a US-based cybersecurity technology solutions business.

Accolades

Steve is listed as Leading Partners in the Legal 500 for their Corporate work

Legal 500

Steve is ranked as an Eminent Practitioner by Chambers and Partners

Chambers & Partners

The Corporate Team is ranked Tier 1 in the Legal 500

Legal 500

The Corporate Team is ranked Band 1 by Chambers and Partners

Chambers & Partners

Testimonials

Stephen Berry is a gold-standard lawyer.

He is a seasoned corporate lawyer.

He has a wide understanding and gives practical advice.

Stephen Berry provides high-quality advice to the main board of the company. He builds strong relationships and is always accessible.

He’s a trusted confidant for our business on both legal and commercial issues.

He is very good, pragmatic, commercial and doesn’t mess around.

Stephen is very technical and commercial. He’s a talented lawyer.