Private equity giant Clayton Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) has appointed Clifford Chance partner Simon Tinkler as its new senior legal advisor.

Tinkler will work with CD&R’s European investment team to support the firm’s existing portfolio companies and offer strategic advice on new deals. He has worked closely with CD&R for many years as its relationship partner and led the team that advised on CD&R’s takeover of supermarket chain Morrisons for £7.1bn last year after a private auction. 

He also advised on CD&R’s 2013 acquisition and subsequent public listing of B&M Retail and the 2015 acquisition of UK independent forecourt operator Motor Fuel Group, among others.

Dave Novak, CD&R’s co-president and head of its European business, said: “Simon is a talented legal executive who has been a trusted advisor to the firm over the past 15 years. His astute judgment and years of transaction experience have proved valuable to our investment activities, and his strong work ethic and values line up well with our culture.”

Tinkler joined Clifford Chance in 1995, becoming partner in 2000 and serving in various leadership roles including head of the Magic Circle firm’s London corporate practice where he specialised in international public and private M&A. He had a particular focus on private equity deals, advising private equity firms, corporates and investment banks on a range of transactions, such as leveraged buyouts, IPOs, PIPEs (private investment in public equity deals), joint ventures, disposals, restructurings and others.

In September last year, he advised CD&R on its take-private of UDG Healthcare and its combination with existing portfolio company Huntsworth, as well as the Morrisons acquisition.

Tinkler said: “Working closely with the CD&R team in Europe on numerous transactions, I have developed a deep appreciation for CD&R’s special culture and value creation strategy based on the combination of outstanding investment judgment and deep operational skills.”

Last year Tinkler was appointed as deputy High Court judge in England and Wales. He also sits on the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.

Last October, UK retail giant John Lewis hired Clifford Chance veteran Jane Cheong Tung Sing as its partnership general counsel and company secretary and in May Linklaters' senior partner, Charlie Jacobs, left at the end of his term to join JPMorgan as co-head of UK investment banking. 

Moving the other way was Blackstone's European general counsel, Geoffrey Bailhache, who joined Simpson Thacher's London office in March last year.