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Peter Sugden

Partner

London

Pete's practice focuses on advising high-growth technology companies and the investors who support them. Pete's deep understanding of both the tech sector and the legal landscape makes him extremely well-placed to provide strategic and practical advice to founders, companies and investors on the business-critical matters that high-growth companies face throughout their lifecycle.

On the company side, Pete advises on the full range of corporate transactional and advisory matters including incorporation and structuring matters, venture capital financings, governance, M&A activity and exit events, as well as the day-to-day matters and broader commercial transactions that high-growth companies encounter as they scale.

In addition, Pete regularly represents a wide range of venture funds, growth equity funds and other strategic investors on their investments into high-growth companies and portfolio company-related matters.

Pete has worked in a broad range of sectors and has particular experience advising clients operating in the European tech ecosystem. Pete also has extensive private equity experience, particularly in the context of sales of high-growth companies to private equity buyers.

Pete is recommended by Legal 500 UK 2022 with its client reviews including "Pete Sugden is outstanding. He combines exceptional legal skills with a practical approach, and to top it all off, he’s a pleasure to work with" and "Pete Sugden offers a superb level of balanced advice and service."

Pete has served as a guest lecturer to the Masters Degree in Corporate Law at Cambridge University and the LLM Masters of Law at the London School of Economics, and acted as a mentor to a climatetech programme at Oxford University.

  • Pete is married with three children. He is a keen sportsman, with a particular passion for rugby, skiing and sailing.

    • Advised Atomico on numerous investments and strategic transactions, including its investments into AML software company Strise and climate fintech Opna
    • Advised TopHat in connection with its £70m financing round, led by Persimmon and Aviva Capital Partners
    • Advised Mobeus Equity Partners (now Gresham House Ventures) on various Series A and follow-on investments, including in the edtech business MyTutor, the legaltech business Legatics, the retailer Bella & Duke and the financial media portal Proactive Investors
    • Advised climate tech investor Systemiq Capital on numerous Series A investments, including in Apolitical, The Routing Company, Hoxton Farms, Ren Energy, Qualis Flow and Basecamp Research
    • Advised Stella McCartney on the buyout of her joint venture with Kering and the subsequent entry into a new arrangement with LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton
    • Advised US fund Paine Schwartz Partners on various strategic investments
    • Advised a leading European data platform on an exit to a private equity buyer
    • Advised the owners of luxury luggage brand Globe-Trotter on an exit to private equity fund Oakley Capital
    • Advised Azzurri Group (owner of Zizzi and ASK Italian) on multiple transactions, including its corporate and commercial restructuring following its pre-pack administration and its acquisition of Boojum
    • Advised Daily Mail and General Trust on the sale of Wowcher and the related joint venture with UK private equity fund Exponent
    • Advised Bonhams, the global auction house backed by PE fund Epiris, on strategic bolt-on acquisitions
    • Advised numerous early-stage companies on their seed and Series A funding rounds

    Please note: Pete's experience includes that prior to joining Orrick.