James Cross | London | Hogan Lovells

James Cross

Partner Corporate & Finance

Languages

English

cross-james

James Cross
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  • Overview
  • Experience
  • Credentials
  • Insights and events
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James Cross is a talented private equity partner who is adept at advising on buyouts, restructurings and bolt-on acquisitions. His practice involves representing private equity sponsors and management teams on complex transactions.

Chambers UK, 2025

James is a partner in our global Private Equity team, based in the London office. With broad-ranging international corporate experience spanning over 20 years, James is “a prolific transactional adviser” (Legal 500 UK, 2024) supporting sponsor, investor, and portfolio company clients throughout the investment lifecycle.

James advises clients on all forms of private equity transactions, including buy-outs, secondary transactions, restructurings and bolt-on acquisitions. He guides both investors and management across a number of sectors, including technology, manufacturing and industrials, education, healthcare, financial services, consumer, and business services.

James has advised numerous private equity sponsors on auction processes/bids. He also has particular experience acting for management teams. With an international practice, he frequently advises investors on cross-border acquisitions and investments, and on complex corporate carve-outs.

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James is comprehensive in his advice and considerations whilst being highly commercial in his views, thereby helping us operate efficiently and effectively.

Chambers UK, 2025

Representative experience

Aurelius portfolio company Filtrona Group Holdings Ltd on the sale of Filtrona Tapes Inc to Fairmont Group, an affiliate of Profondas Capital, a mid-market buyout private equity firm.

The shareholders of Assured Data Protection Topco Limited (“Assured”), which includes Soho Square Capital, on Oakley Capital’s investment in Assured.

Literacy Capital plc on its significant minority investment into Campfire, a leading digital marketing agency based in Manchester

Soho Square Capital on its investment in Newmarket Holidays, a UK-based escorted tour operator offering international group holidays to the affluent over 50s traveller market.

Soho Square Capital on its growth investment in Live Manage Facilitate (LMF), a leading installer of renewable energy measures in properties across the UK.

Literacy Capital plc on its significant minority investment into amplify5, a leading UK-headquartered offshoring business with operations in Cape Town, South Africa.

Soho Square Capital on its structured minority growth investment in Assured Data Protection, a managed-service provider focused on backup and disaster recovery.*

August Equity on its investment in StarTraq, a leading compliance software business providing solutions for offence processing, licensing, and permitting.*

Inspirit Capital on the carve-out of CWind, a leading provider of offshore wind support services, from Global Marine Group.*

Piper PE LLP on its investment in Ancient + Brave, a mission-driven wellness brand.*

Falfurrias Capital Partners on its investment in international media agency Brainlabs.*

Soho Square Capital on its investment and partnership with xDesign, a rapidly growing digital consultancy.*

August Equity portfolio company StarTraq on its acquisition of leading GovTech business Farthest Gate.*

Flywheel Partners on its investment in Freshcut Foods, the UK’s leading producer of high-added value plant-based ingredients.*

The management team of Improve International Group on Levine Leichtman Capital Partners’ investment.*

Soho Square Capital portfolio company Arcus FM on its acquisition of Trios Group from Rcapital.*

Aurelius portfolio company CTD Tiles on the add-on acquisition of 13 UK branches from Tile Giant.*

Orangewood Partners on its investment in Barrington James, a leading global recruitment firm that primarily serves the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device sectors.*

August Equity portfolio company Air IT on its acquisitions of SoConnect Limited, Scoria Limited, Silverbug Limited, and Vital Technology Group Limited.*

Grosvenor Food & AgTech on their investment in leading UK recipe box company Gousto as part of a US$230m secondary placement.*

*Matter handled prior to joining Hogan Lovells.

Credentials

Education
  • Legal Practice Course, Nottingham Law School, 2002
  • LL.B., University of Essex, 2001
Bar admissions and qualifications
  • Solicitor, England and Wales

Recognition

Ranked lawyer for Private Equity Buyouts: Up to £500 million

Chambers UK

2025