Dentons strengthens UK Banking and Finance team by hiring prominent leveraged finance partner

Leading global law firm Dentons has strengthened its UK Banking and Finance team by hiring Richard Sharples as a partner in London. Richard was previously a banking partner at Clifford Chance and specialises in leveraged finance, debt restructuring, private equity, acquisition finance, corporate and syndicated lending.

With over 30 years’ experience as a banking and finance lawyer, Richard will work closely with Dentons’ Private Equity and Corporate teams to develop specialised solutions to clients.

Nick Hayday, Partner and head of Dentons’ Banking and Finance team in the UK, said, “Leveraged finance is a priority investment area as part of our five-year strategy and Richard is well known for operating at the top end of this market, having worked on many complex, cross-border deals for some of the UK’s largest banks, sponsors, funds and investment banks.”

UKIME CEO Paul Jarvis adds, “We are delighted to have someone of Richard’s calibre join us. His appointment, following the arrival of M&A partner James Vernon earlier this year, aligns exactly with the “Golden Thread” pillar of our strategy, which is about creating a strand of connectivity that runs throughout the firm’s practice areas, sector groups and geographies so that we develop deeper and wider client relationships.”