Gallagher has appointed Dan O’Connell to its mergers and acquisition team in the North of England. A qualified lawyer, O’Connell joins from Walker Morris, where he was a corporate associate.
O’Connell has more than 10 years’ experience in the legal sector and has worked at several law firms, including Walker Morris, Irwin Mitchell and DWF. He has experience advising on a range of corporate transactions including corporate M&A, PLC activity – such as floats, regulatory work and fundraises – and advising private equity clients on acquisitions, investments and disposals.
He will work closely with Gallagher’s M&A practice in London in developing relationships and serving law firms, private equity houses and businesses involved in M&A in the North of England. According to Gallagher, Leeds is one of the leading locations for professional advisors in the M&A space outside of London, and there is significant deal activity involving advisors and investors in the region
O’Connell will be based in Gallagher’s northern centre of excellence for corporate clients, located at East Parade, Leeds, in the heart of the city’s business district. Gallagher is a major insurance employer in Yorkshire, with over 300 employees in the risk, insurance, claims and employee benefits businesses across offices in Leeds, Wakefield and Sheffield. O’Connell will report to James Murray, branch director of the Leeds office and will partner with Gallagher’s London M&A practice, working closely with George Minoprio, M&A practice co-head, and Mark Ettershank, head of W&I and transactional insurance.
“We are delighted to welcome Dan to our growing team,” Murray said. “M&A activity is thriving in the North and particularly in Leeds. Our experience tells us that clients really value local expertise and local relationships, and Dan’s appointment will maximise our local impact and bring the best of our London and Leeds experience to clients in the North.”
“Dan is an impressive individual with an extensive network and with him on board there is a huge opportunity for us to further expand existing relationships and develop new partnerships in the North of England,” Minoprio said. “We are seeing significant activity outside of London so the timing couldn’t be better.”
