Tom Mercer
Global Sector Leader, Retail & Consumer Products
London
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Overview
Introduction
Tom is a corporate M&A partner with strong Takeover code experience, recognized for his commercial acumen, technical strength and calm authority in high-stakes transactions.
Tom Mercer is an experienced corporate lawyer who advises on a range of M&A, corporate finance and governance matters. He has particular authority in public company takeovers and mergers and he was secretary to the UK Takeover Panel from 2011 to 2013.
Tom was head of the corporate transactions practice in London from 2016 to 2018 and he currently sits on the firm's Audit and Finance Committee. In 2019 he was recognized as one of The Lawyer's Hot 100, a list which comprises the standout lawyers in the UK.
Tom is ranked in Chambers for Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability, with clients noting that "he's approachable and widely known in the market for Takeover Code expertise" and "he is a very impressive guy and a very nice person. You want him by your side in a crisis." The Legal 500 ranks Tom as a leading lawyer for Upper Mid-Market and Premium Deals (£500M+), commenting that he is "noted for his strong track record in public company takeovers, and is able to advise across a broad range of sectors". Supporting client testimonials include: "Tom Mercer is excellent. Very client focused, commercial and he never patronizes" and he has also been highlighted as being "very strong technically, very commercial and always available". He is also ranked as a highly regarded leading M&A lawyer by IFLR1000.
Latest thinking
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Legal development
Ashurst Governance & Compliance Update – Issue 82
May 13, 2026
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Legal development
(Market!) Sound check: FCA examines market sounding practices across UK equity capital markets
April 23, 2026
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Legal development
UK Quoted Company Newsletter Q1 2026
April 17, 2026
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Legal development
Ashurst Governance & Compliance Update – Issue 81
April 09, 2026
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Legal development
Ashurst Governance & Compliance Update – Issue 80
March 25, 2026
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Legal development
Ashurst Governance & Compliance Update – Issue 79
March 04, 2026
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Legal development
Ashurst Governance & Compliance Update – Issue 78
February 11, 2026
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Legal development
UK Public M&A Review 2025
January 28, 2026
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Podcasts
Takeover Talks: Tomorrow Never Knows
January 28, 2026
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Legal development
Implementation of the new Public Offers and Admissions to Trading regime – Updated rulebooks
January 21, 2026
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Legal development
UK Quoted Company Newsletter Q4 2025
January 16, 2026
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Legal development
Ashurst Governance & Compliance Update – Issue 77
January 15, 2026
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Latest news, deals and awards
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News Ashurst advises Pharos Energy plc on its £124 million takeover by Ratio Petroleum
June 24, 2026
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News Ashurst advises Afentra on equity fundraise
June 10, 2026
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News Ashurst advises Portmeirion Group on £17m equity fundraise
June 04, 2026
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News Ashurst advises on £548m takeover of Bluefield Solar Income Fund
June 01, 2026
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News Ashurst advises Treatt on its £183 million recommended takeover by Döhler
April 29, 2026
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News Ashurst advises on EUR 1.6 billion takeover of Permanent TSB by BAWAG
April 14, 2026
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News Ashurst advises on £191m takeover of Amedeo Air Four Plus Limited
March 06, 2026
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News Ashurst advises Rothschild & Co on takeover of CAB Payments
March 02, 2026
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News Ashurst advises Debenhams Group on equity fundraise
February 19, 2026
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News Ashurst advises Treatt on recommended takeover by Natara
September 08, 2025
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News Ashurst advises J.P. Morgan Cazenove on £4.1b recommended takeover of Spectris
July 02, 2025
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News Ashurst advises on £183.6 million recommended takeover of Inspired plc
June 26, 2025
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Takeover Talks: What A Difference A Day Makes
Tom Mercer, Harry Thimont and Jade Jack review the UK public M&A market in the first quarter of 2025.
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