Oxford: New corporate partner joins Penningtons Manches

Will Axtell has joined Penningtons Manches LLP as a corporate partner in the firm’s Oxford office. He was previously a partner at Charles Russell Speechlys, spending time in the firm’s London and Oxford offices. Prior to that he gained valuable in-house experience as a member of Vodafone’s corporate legal team working mainly on high-profile M&A deals. He trained and qualified at ‘Magic Circle’ firm Clifford Chance.

Axtell advises on a wide range of corporate matters including mergers and acquisitions, fundraisings and equity capital markets (with an emphasis on AIM). He has particular expertise in the technology sector and is highly experienced at advising on cross-border transactions.

His client base ranges from start-ups to listed companies as well as high-net-worth individuals and successful technology entrepreneurs. As a fifth-generation shareholder in his own family business based in Oxford, Axtell also has particular experience of advising family and owner-managed businesses on significant corporate transactions.

Commenting on Axtell’s appointment, Franco Bosi, head of the firm’s business services division, said: “Will’s appointment fits with our strategy of expanding our well-regarded corporate team, which is now over 30 members strong. Not only does Will bring additional firepower to our Oxford office but his technology and international experience will also make him a valuable asset to our recently-launched US office and our award-winning technology and life sciences teams.”