Eversheds Sutherland has strengthened its financial services group with the appointment of new funds Partner Ben Watford. Ben joins from MJ Hudson where he led the London hedge fund practice, is highly experienced in relation to the formation, liquidation and financing of investment funds. His clients include financial institutions, tier one fund managers, first time managers, high-net-worth individuals, sovereign investors, crypto investors and entrepreneurs.

Listed in the Legal 500 as a recommended lawyer for 2017, Ben’s practice has a particular emphasis on the structuring and establishment of onshore and offshore investment funds in various jurisdictions including the Cayman Islands, Luxembourg, Ireland, UK, the Channel Islands and the US.

His expertise also includes structured finance, banking, securitisation and fixed income as well as refinancings, restructurings and derivatives. He regularly advises in relation to the AIFMD and on the establishment of FCA authorised entities in the UK.

The addition of Ben as a Partner further bolsters the financial services team following the establishment of the funds practice in Luxembourg and the hire of Partner Deborah Hutton in Dublin. Deborah, who joined Eversheds Sutherland last Friday (22 June) will be heading up the expansion of the asset management & regulatory practice in Ireland.

Commenting on the appointment, Michaela Walker, head of financial services said:

“Ben has established one of the leading hedge fund formation platforms in London and his addition to the team will enable us to offer clients expert advice in the hedge funds space as well as building our existing wider financial services capability. The group continues to go from strength to strength with additions in Luxembourg, Dublin and now London.”

Ben added:

“I am really excited to join a firm with a global platform and more specifically, a US presence, which will give me a great opportunity to leverage my existing network and develop a strong workflow across the US, Dublin, Luxembourg and London.”