Michael J. Preston
Partner
Michael J. Preston advises a broad range of financial sponsors and strategic investors on buy-outs, minority investments, joint ventures, restructurings and other transactions.
He has experience across a range of business sectors, with particular experience in healthcare, technology, infrastructure, real estate and energy.
Michael joined the firm in 2005 and became a partner in 2011. From 2005 to 2010, he was resident in the London office. From 2011 to 2015, he was resident in the Hong Kong office. Previously, he was an associate at Allen & Overy LLP in London and at Russell McVeagh in Wellington, New Zealand.
Notable Experience
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Cascade Investment on its recommended $4.7 billion offer for Signature Aviation, as part of a consortium with Blackstone and Global Infrastructure Partners, which topped a prior $4.6 billion offer from Global Infrastructure Partners on a standalone basis.
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TPG Capital and Growth funds in a range of transactions including its:
- equity investment in China International Capital Corporation, the first foreign private equity investment in a Chinese securities firm;
- investment in Moroccan schools operator Ecoles Yassamine, TPG’s debut investment in Africa;
- acquisition of a majority stake in Union Bank of Colombo, TPG’s first investment in Sri Lanka;
- equity investment in Indian microfinance company Janalakshmi Financial Services, Ltd.;
- equity investment in Indian healthcare group, Sutures India;
- investment in PT Delta Dunia Makmur, an Indonesian mining services company;
- acquisition of a majority stake in Indonesia’s PT Bank Tabungan Pensiunan Nasional, in the bank’s subsequent rights offering, and in the disposal of the investment;
- acquisition of approximately 45 percent of BFI Finance Indonesia, an Indonesia-listed consumer lender; and
- equity investment in PropertyGuru, the online real estate services group.
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African Minerals in a $1.5 billion investment by Shandong Iron & Steel Group.
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China’s Sichuan Hongda Group in its $3 billion joint venture with Tanzania’s National Development Corporation to implement an integrated mining, power production and steel-making project in Tanzania.
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Northstar Equity Partners III in its acquisition of approximately 20% of PT Multistrada Arahsarana Tbk, an Indonesia-listed tire manufacturer.
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TPG, PAG, and OTPP in their acquisition of DTZ, real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield, and Cassidy Turley, and subsequently Cushman & Wakefield in its $831 million initial public offering.
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Hillhouse in a number of investments in the technology sector in China.
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Alnair Capital Holdings JSC in the acquisition of an approximately 25% stake in JSC Kazkommertsbank and assistance with ongoing management of the stake and negotiations regarding recapitalization and infusion of cash.
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Helios Investment Partners in its Sh11 billion acquisition of a 24.99% stake in Equity Bank Ltd in Kenya, and in its acquisition of a 22% stake in a joint venture vehicle established by Portugal Telecom to hold all of its telecommunications assets and interests in sub-Saharan Africa valued at $1.2 billion.
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Tele2 in its acquisition of a 51% interest in Kazakhstan’s MTS, a mobile telecommunications company.
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EuroSibEnergo in its joint venture with China Yangtze Power for the development of hydro and thermal power projects in the Russian Far East.
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The founders of KazakhGold Group in the sale of a controlling stake in the company.
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Korea’s SK Networks in its $700 million equity investment in Brazil-based MMX Mineração e Metálicos.
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Mittal Investments in the acquisition of an interest in Ophir Energy plc, an oil & gas exploration company, and in its participation in Algeria’s second oil & gas licensing round.
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TNK-BP in the sale of its oilfield services business to NYSE-listed Weatherford International Ltd.
Publications
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GenAI: Opportunities and Risks for Private Equity Firms and Portfolio Companies
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The Current UK Tax Landscape for Private Equity Funds and Professionals
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UK National Security Regime: Annual Report 2024 and Observations on Recent Practice
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Retail Investor Funds Accelerate Private Equity's Democratization Drive
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UK Government Considers Changes to National Security and Investment Regime
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Overcoming the Hurdles to Greater Adoption of PPPs in Sub-Saharan Africa
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IPOs Set the Scene for Private Equity Companies to Get Exit Ready
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Why AI and Biotech Are Driving Private Equity Deals in the Healthcare Sector
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UK National Security Regime: Annual Report 2023 and Observations on Recent Practice
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The Case for Creditor on Creditor Violence in European Restructuring
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Private Equity Market Snapshot: Silicon Valley Bank Focus April 2023
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From Industrials to Cleantech Germany Offers Private Equity Opportunities
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UK National Security Regime: Enforcement Practice and Updated Guidance
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Strong Valuations Have Mixed Consequences for Private Equity
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Investors Shift Away From Super Covenant-Lite Packages as Borrowing Costs Rise
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Rise of GP-Led Transactions Reshapes Private Equity Secondaries
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Private Equity Investment in Health Tech is Filling Public Health’s Capacity Shortfall
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Large Target: The Growing Opportunity for Private Equity Investment in Sport
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A Fossil Fuel Investment Resurgence Amidst Europe’s Energy Crisis?
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Competition Watchdogs Increase Scrutiny of Private Equity Takeovers
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European Investment Remains Resilient in Challenging Conditions
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IPOs Versus Staying Private: Weighing the Benefits for Private Equity
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Wide-Ranging New UK National Security Regime Comes Into Force
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Private Equity Must Prepare for Higher Sustainability Standards
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Valuations Sharpen U.S. Private Equity Appetite for UK Companies
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Investor Expectations and Regulatory Scrutiny Rise as Sovereigns Co-Sponsor Deals
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New UK National Security Regime to Come Into Force in January 2022
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Dutch Court Orders Shell to Reduce Emissions in First Climate Change Ruling Against Company
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Longer Investment Periods Drive Creation of Longer-Term Funds
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UK Government Prohibits Acquisition of UK Supplier of Military Aircraft Components
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Italian Airport Concession Rebalancing May Be a Missed Opportunity
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UK Government Introduces New Powers to Intervene in Mergers on Public Interest Grounds
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Directors’ Duties: Private Equity Responsibilities to Portfolio Companies
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The Power of Teamwork... The Continued Rise of Consortium Buyouts
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UK Public M&A Update: Changes to the UK Takeover Code in Relation to Asset Valuations
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UK Public M&A Update: Changes to the Shared Jurisdiction Regime After Brexit
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UK Public M&A Update: UK Takeover Panel Publishes Consultation Paper in Relation to Asset Valuations
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UK Proposes a New Corporate Governance Code for Large Private Companies
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Cleary Lawyers Author Several Chapters of 2018 IFLR M&A Report
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UK Takeover Code Update Panel publishes Response Statement 20171 Asset Sales and Other Matters
Events
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June 28, 2023
Driving Change: Investment, Regulation, and Risk in Connection With the Climate Transition
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January 17, 2023
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September 14, 2021
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June 24, 2021
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June 23, 2020
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February 6, 2019