People

“They have got a very broad range of expertise. One of the benefits of using the group is that you can get resources. With Afridi work is done quickly and it’s done right.” - Chambers Global

Areas of Expertise

  • Corporate and Commercial
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Private Equity
  • Venture Capital
  • Compliance and Regulatory

Qualifications

  • Professional
  • Law Society of England and Wales
  • Language
  • English
  • Academic
  • Legal Practice Course, BPP University, 2015
  • LLB, Bachelor of Laws, BPP University, 2014
Notable Matters

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)

  • Advised on a USD 450 million majority investment and joint venture in an ADGM-incorporated AI platform, including long-term IP access and LLM sub-licensing.
  • Buy-side adviser on AED 120 million acquisition of 60 per cent stake in an international engineering group across the UAE, Qatar, Morocco, and KSA.
  • Co-led acquisition of 50 per cent stake in two leading private charter jet providers, covering regulatory approvals and post-completion integration.
  • £32 million acquisition of a transatlantic drivetrain engineering company by an Indian tech conglomerate.
  • Advised on a €450 million German IT acquisition, negotiating SPA, W&I process, and regulatory clearances.
  • Advised a NYSE-listed buyer on a £13m UK software acquisition, incentive rollover, and subsequent buy-backs.
  • Advised on the strategic investments in Abu Dhabi-based autonomous drone and technology companies, including government grants and milestone-based audits.
  • Advised on the acquisition of three hotels in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, leading SPA negotiations, due diligence, and regulatory clearances.

Private Equity and Venture Capital

  • Advised First Light Fusion on USD 45 million Series C fundraising in inertial-fusion energy research.
  • Advised Seloxium on its spin-out from Oxford University and seed fundraising for metal recovery technology.
  • Advised Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies Holdings plc on IPO on the London Stock Exchange (£48m valuation).
  • Advised on launching a £40 million VC fund, covering structure, LPAs/side letters, and investor onboarding.
  • Advised an Australian design/technology company on a collapsible container and IoT tracking venture.

 

Corporate and Joint Ventures

  • Advised ADMO Lifestyle Holding (Alpha Dhabi/Monterock JV) on forming Alpha-Mind with Addmind, covering multiple lifestyle and F&B brands.
  • Structured a joint venture to roll out multiple schools across Abu Dhabi.
  • Negotiated strategic JVs launching ventures in infrastructure, healthcare, IT, cosmetics, and education.

Restructuring and Regulatory

  • Advised a US insurer on UAE subsidiary restructuring to comply with Central Bank regulations, followed by KSA expansion via acquisition of a third-party insurance administrator.
  • Advised a Saudi family office on restructuring a USD 2 billion+ corporate and trust portfolio across UK, Switzerland, USA, France, BVI, and Jersey.
  • Led purchase and reorganisation of a major UAE hospital, aligning licensing, governance, and operational contracts.
  • Supported on a £235 million refinancing of a privately-owned biotech company and shareholder exit planning.
  • Advised an international fashion house on corporate restructuring and growth financing.

 

Corporate Governance and Shareholder Advisory

  • Advised an Emirati family on a significant FTSE-250 stake, covering Takeover Code, DTRs, UK Corporate Governance Code, and MAR compliance.
  • Guided board and shareholders in resolving a deadlock at a decentralised derivatives/crypto platform, including settlement and buybacks.
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About

James is a Senior Associate in the Corporate and Commercial practice, advising public and private clients, including high-net-worth individuals,33 venture capital funds, and family offices on cross-border M&A, venture and growth investments, joint ventures, equity capital markets, and corporate governance. He works across a broad range of sectors, including TMT, financial services, energy, infrastructure, aviation, healthcare, and biotech.

 

Prior to joining Afridi & Angell, James served as Senior Legal Counsel at Wusoom Holding in Abu Dhabi, where he was seconded from Clyde & Co. Wusoom is a fast-growing investment holding company with a multi-sector portfolio and a significant global deal flow. In this role, James advised on acquisitions, strategic investments and joint ventures, including UAE onshore and free zone structuring, regulatory engagement, carve-outs and post-deal integration.

 

Before relocating to the UAE, James practiced in London at Penningtons Manches Cooper and at Hierons (now Spencer West), advising on UK and international transactions, including IPO and AIM capital markets matters, private M&A, and venture capital mandates.