Stephen McGlennan

Stephen advises on business acquisitions, joint ventures, M&A, Takeover Code matters, and partnering, delivering strategic guidance on complex corporate transactions across sectors including technology and defence.

• Advised on the €150m IPO of a UK Plc on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
• Advised on a $200m pre-IPO equity line.
• Advised on a private company de-merger and share buy-back.
• Acted on the £13m takeover of a listed retail group on the London Stock Exchange main list.
• Acted on the business acquisition of an aerospace company from administrators.
• Advised on a £20m roll-up by way of a series of private company acquisitions.

Stephen is experienced in aerospace and defence sectors, advising on security-related projects, corporate partnerships, and compliance within highly regulated environments.

• Advised on aircraft purchase agreements and ancillary documentation for both military and civil transactions.
• Acted on the purchase of an aerospace business from private sellers.
• Advised on patent litigation in the US and UK concerning aerospace technologies.
• Secured over £20m in equity and more than £7m in grants from UK and EU agencies to support aircraft development.
• Advised on partnering agreements with UK and European aerospace majors.

Stephen is experienced in aerospace and defence sectors, advising on security-related projects, corporate partnerships, and compliance within highly regulated environments.

• Acted on an aircraft development and sale contract with a U.S. Department of Defense prime contractor to provide aircraft under a US$500m program.
• Acted on a US$90m program, including SSOW negotiation, change orders, and program close-out negotiations.
• Advised on UK export controls, MTCR, and ITAR compliance issues.
• Acted on negotiations and contracting with a Middle Eastern Procurement Authority for design services.
• Advised on UK Ministry of Defence negotiations and contracting, commencing with initial scoping studies.

Stephen supports start-ups and growth companies with private fundraising, crowdfunding, technology ventures, and business development.

• Advised the CEO of two companies which grew to 20 and 150 employees, respectively.
• Acted on the acquisition of a trading business by a start-up company.
• Secured over £10m in equity from founders, friends and family, and private offices.
• Raised over £2m in two crowdfunding rounds on Crowdcube.

Stephen provides legal advice on non-contentious insurance matters, focusing on regulatory compliance, policy structuring, and strategic risk management across diverse sectors.

• Acted on the multibillion-pound listed company takeover of a composite insurance group.
• Acted on multiple private company acquisitions and disposals of insurance intermediaries.
• Advised on Part VII transfers of insurance business, including for entities in run-off.
• Acted on the negotiation of a bespoke after-the-event insurance policy with a multi-million-pound premium.
• Advised on a £20m aviation insurance claim and related settlement.
• Acted on the restructuring of a 90:10 life fund.

Stephen advises Chinese and UK businesses on cross-border transactions, market entry, joint ventures, and regulatory compliance.

• Acted on leading negotiations in mainland China with a major government-related entity.
• Advised on fundraising rounds with China-based private equity and family office investors.
• Advised on partnering discussions with a China-based multinational.
• Advised on export control discussions.
• Acted for the UK arm of a China-based retail group.

Stephen advises on cross-border fundraising across the Middle East, US, and Far East, and on negotiations and contracting with government authorities, including procurement and design services in international markets.

• Advised on fundraising activities in the Middle East, the U.S. (under Regulation D), and the Far East.
• Acted on negotiations and contracting with a Middle Eastern Procurement Authority for design services.

Recognised by The Legal 500 for Aviation 2022

Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society