Freshfields is advising international private equity firm Cinven on its majority investment in Grant Thornton UK, one of the UK’s leading diversified professional services firms offering audit, tax, and advisory services.

Founded in 1904, Grant Thornton is one of the UK’s largest professional services firms, with over 240 partners and 5,500 employees across more than 20 offices. Cinven’s investment will support Grant Thornton’s strategy to drive growth through technology enablement, talent development, and expanding its leadership in the professional services sector.

The transaction is subject to partner ratification, regulatory approvals, and customary closing conditions.

A cross-practice Freshfields team in London advising Cinven was led by private capital partners James Scott and Alastair Brown, with leveraged finance partner Aled Batey leading on debt financing. James Smethurst provided financial regulatory advice, while merger control and FDI matters were handled by Martin McElwee. Partner David Mendel advised on people and reward workstreams, Dawn Heath on pensions matters and May Smith led on tax matters.