Willem Jacobs, Director and National Head of CDH’s Corporate & Commercial practice says, “I think we are all in agreement that 2020’s adverse bearing, and the ripple effect on our economic climate has presented unique challenges. Yet in a year that saw listed M&A activity decrease by almost 17%, CDH managed to increase its listed M&A deal flow by more than 22% – recently winning the DealMakers M&A Deal Flow award for the 11^th time in 12 years. Excellence attracts excellence and we are pleased to welcome Ian back to the firm, together with Brian who joins us for the first time”.

Ranked in Band One in Chambers Global, Ian maintains an impressive reputation in the South African market, with an enviable portfolio of blue-chip clients in mining, telecoms, and the retail sector. His deals span the full ambit of M&A and corporate and commercial work including takeovers, structuring, and restructuring of business entities, IPOs, private equity acquisitions and disposals, and general corporate finance. 

Brian’s focus also lies in M&A and corporate and commercial law. During 2015 to 2019, he advised the Edcon Group on its financial and operation restructurings, including the cornerstone landlords’ agreement amongst Edcon’s major landlords and which converted rent to equity. Brian also advised Capitalworks on its disposal of Much Asphalt to AECI.  During 2020, Brian advised the business rescue practitioners of Edcon on the disposal of Edcon’s JET and Edgars divisions across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, eSwatini, and Lesotho to Foschini and Retailability respectively.

CDH’s CEO, Brent Williams, said, “We welcome Ian and Brian into the CDH family and wish them every success. Their talent will deepen the firm’s bench of experts and demonstrate our commitment to navigating through the current crises with our clients; to continue to offer our clients a balanced combination of excellence in practice and value for money; to exploring opportunities that may exist within the market; and to offering solutions that focus on long-term sustainability.”