Voting Closed

To find out who won, book a table at the British Private Equity Party Awards 2025 on Tuesday, 30 September at The Brewrey, London

Addleshaw Goddard

AG has solidified its position as a leader in the private funds space, with our Private Funds Group expanding to over 100 lawyers globally, representing an increase in headcount year-on-year. Over the past year AG has helped established PE clients including Agathos Management and Hakluyt Capital, raise PE funds as well supporting several first-time PE sponsors on the launch of specialist PE funds ranging from B2B services, data, and software, defence, entertainment and sports. AG has also supported various PE sponsors with co-investment funds, continuation funds and other advisory work (including Axiom Equity Partners, Phoenix Equity Partners and Sprints Capital).

However, what we think truly sets AG apart from its competition in the PE funds space, is AG’s unique offering in supporting the burgeoning independent sponsor community in the UK. Though AG’s extensive work in this space (acting for clients such as GTO Partners LLP, A/S Equity, Orbe Novo Advisory LLP, SG & Capital Partners, Souter, Park Square Capital and many more) as well as initiatives such as our annual Independent Sponsor Forum and our European Independent Sponsor Terms Survey, AG is now the leading European law firm in the deal-by-deal PE fundraising space. Clients and senior industry stakeholders tell us that our proactive thought leadership and market insights have directly contributed to increased dealmaking in the UK and Europe.

Fried Frank

Fried Frank is a leading advisor to elite sponsors raising private equity funds in the UK and globally. We support clients across buyout, growth, minority and secondaries strategies.

Between 2023–2025, we closed over USD 170 billion of disclosed fundraisings. Clients consistently choose us for their most ambitious launches and complex cross-border structures. We combine deep technical insight with sharp commercial judgment, helping clients build tailored, scalable fund platforms.

This combination of insight and execution drives repeat mandates and long-term relationships with many of the market’s most discerning managers. We are at the forefront of trends like evergreen and semi-liquid funds, and the growing “retailisation” of private funds, positioning ourselves as one of only a limited number of firms in London with this expertise.

Our UK team continues to grow in step with client demand—now comprising 11 partners (38% increase on 2024) and 52 team members overall (24% increase). Few firms can match our depth of experience/market impact in UK private equity fund formation. We are proud to be the first choice for sponsors seeking insightful counsel and exceptional execution in a competitive and evolving landscape.

Proskauer

Proskauer’s London office continues to evolve as a top firm for private funds, with strength in fund formation, transactions, and financing. This triple strength, combined with our sector specialism and industry expertise, distinguishes Proskauer from the competition.

With over 80 lawyers, our Private Investment Funds practice is the largest in London. The team advises sponsors and institutional investors on fund structuring, as well as the offering and management of closed-ended funds (including hybrid funds) across a wide range of asset classes, inclusive of private equity, venture/growth, credit, secondaries, infrastructure, and impact.

To showcase our depth and breadth across these asset classes, we advised on the following publishable fundraises during the time period: MML Capital on the closing of its €1 billion partnership VIII Fund; NorthWall Capital on multiple fund closes and significant capital formation; Main Capital Partners on closing of €520 million multi-asset continuation fund; Ares in partnership with Coller Capital for $2.4 billion structured funding vehicle; Albacore Capital on senior direct lending strategy; Rivean Capital on formation and closing of new continuation vehicle; and Deutsche Beteiligungs AG on a new continuation vehicle.

Key clients include Adams Street, AnaCap, A.P Moller, Ardian, Capital Dynamics, G Square, Hollyport, Investcorp, Lexington Partners, Northzone and Strategic Partners. among many other brand name fund managers.

Voting Closed

To find out who won, book a table at the British Private Equity Party Awards 2025 on Tuesday, 30 September at The Brewrey, London