William Margot

Will advises on complex corporate finance transactions involving management buyouts, acquisitions of regulated businesses, and regulatory compliance matters, with specialist expertise in Isle of Man licensing requirements, cross-border corporate structures, and private equity investment transactions. 

• Headed cross-practice team acting as Isle of Man counsel to the incumbent management team of Boston Limited (a class 4 and 5 licence holder regulated by the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority) with support of Rockpool Investments LLP, a UK mid-market private equity house, in connection with a management buyout of the entire issued share capital of Boston Limited. 
• Headed cross-practice team as lead counsel to a global service provider in connection with its purchase of the entire issued share capital of an Isle of Man regulated business holding a class 4 and 5 licence. 
• Advised the purchaser in relation to the Isle of Man aspects of its purchase of an Isle of Man licensed merchant services business from its listed parent; subsequently advised the licensed entity on redrafting its Money Transmission Services Agreement, internal services agreements with subsidiaries in multiple jurisdictions, regulatory advice on class 8 licence requirements, Software Maintenance Agreement and Sub-licence Agreements, and restructuring of its parent holding structure including redomiciling multiple companies into the Isle of Man. 
• Advised Asia-based business persons on the preparation of source of wealth statements to satisfy the requirements of the UK/Isle of Man banking systems. 

Will advises on high-value mergers, acquisitions, and sales across regulated, corporate, and international sectors, acting for shareholders, management teams, and investors in complex cross-border transactions, private equity deals, and strategic disposals with Isle of Man jurisdictional focus. 

• Headed team from Keystone’s Corporate and Commercial department acting as lead Isle of Man counsel on Ocorian’s acquisition of Estera. 
• Led cross-practice team as Isle of Man counsel to the shareholders of the Jacksons Car Dealership (one of the largest car dealerships in the UK with sites in the Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Jersey and Guernsey with over 500 employees) in relation to the sale of the car dealership to Van Mossel, a Dutch automotive group. 
• Led cross-practice team as Isle of Man counsel to the shareholders of Boston Limited (a class 4 and 5 licence holder regulated by the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority) in relation to the sale of the Boston Group to Horizon Capital. 
• Advised on the sale of shares in Everton Football Club Company Limited to an affiliate of The Friedkin Group. 
• Advised an international trust and corporate service provider on the sale of trading subsidiaries in the UK, Luxembourg and Switzerland. 
• Acted as lead advisor to the incumbent management team in connection with a management buyout of the entire issued share capital of Moore Stephens Retirement Solutions Limited (a licensed pension provider regulated by the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority). 
• Advised on the proposed sale of shares in Everton Football Club to a subsidiary of 777 Partners Inc. 

Will advises on corporate insolvency and restructuring matters, guiding investors, lenders, and regulated businesses through governance reform, regulatory engagement, distressed asset sales, and complex cross-border resolutions involving Isle of Man entities and multi-jurisdictional stakeholders. 

• Provided Isle of Man restructuring, insolvency and regulatory advice to a Cayman fund, the majority investor in and lead lender to an Isle of Man incorporated and regulated specialist collective investment scheme, and a US-based independent investment manager dedicated to providing capital solutions across special situation opportunities in relation to its role as adviser. 
• Remedied a distressed corporate service provider’s book of business, working with the regulator and shareholder to find a mutually beneficial outcome; developed and implemented extensive corporate governance framework and was instrumental in developing a governance-focused culture within the business; ran the bidding and due diligence process which resulted in the sale of two books of business to two separate global corporate service providers. 
• Assisted with the sale of a corporate and trust service provider group with trading businesses in the Indian Ocean, Arab Emirates and Asia. 

Will advises on high-value Isle of Man real estate and asset finance transactions, including complex loan restructures, refinancing, and cross-border funding arrangements, representing lenders, investors, and SPVs in multi-jurisdictional commercial, maritime, and regulated entity financing deals. 

• Lead legal advisor in relation to the restructure of £664,000,000 of loans prior to the further funding of the structure by a joint investor. 
• Provided Isle of Man corporate and finance advice to an Isle of Man SPV (which owns a yacht) in respect of a €250,000,000 refinancing of a loan with Credit Suisse. 
• Provided Isle of Man banking and finance advice in connection with the amendment and restatement of a $105,262,500 loan made available to an Isle of Man company on four separate occasions in 2023 and 2024. 
• Provided Isle of Man advice in connection with the amendment and restatement of a £16 million loan made available to two Isle of Man companies. 
• Led an Isle of Man team providing Isle of Man corporate, finance and property advice in respect of a refinancing of a £15,000,000 loan to an Isle of Man SPV holding Isle of Man situs commercial real estate. 
• Lead legal advisor to a UK-based lender on a £10,000,000 loan to an Isle of Man licence holder for the purchase of the Isle of Man regulated entity together with an Irish pensions provider. 

Will advises Isle of Man regulated entities on complex financial services regulatory matters, including investigations, AML/CFT compliance, governance reform, and enforcement actions, guiding clients through high-stakes inquiries and operational overhauls to meet Isle of Man Financial Services Authority expectations. 

• Advised a client in relation to significant regulatory action by the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority (Section 14 Directions and the Section 23 Appointment of Grant Thornton’s UK Fraud Investigation Team) lasting 9 months and covering over 3 million documents; the onsite engagement included advising the client on all aspects of its AML/CFT and regulatory compliance, review of client files and transactions, and complete overhaul of the client’s regulatory, corporate governance and AML/CFT and risk framework. 
• Advised an Isle of Man regulated business on regulatory issues relating to the fitness and properness of staff members; provided advice and assistance with the subsequent regulatory investigation and interviews; advised in relation to the business’ policies and procedures. 
• Remedied a distressed corporate service provider’s book of business, working with the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority and shareholder to find a mutually beneficial outcome; developed and implemented extensive corporate governance framework and was instrumental in developing a governance-focused culture within the business. 

Will advises on Isle of Man commercial agreements, licensing, and complex cross-border structuring, including Isle of Man trusts, foundations, and holding companies, acting for clients in travel, e-gaming, and international trade on governance, shareholder arrangements, and operational matters. 

• Advised an online reseller of travel arrangements and holidays on development agreements for the company’s own reselling website and app, agreements with various large insurers sourcing holidays to be resold, agreements with large multinational online reselling websites, and shareholder agreements and other corporate structuring matters. 
• Advised an international trading group in relation to the establishment of an Isle of Man Foundation and the structuring of a group holding company to own and oversee its international business activities. 
• Advised an e-gaming business and its owners on a successful application for an Isle of Man e-gaming licence and structuring the underlying holding and operating companies. 
• Advised an Isle of Man based international business and its shareholders in relation to potential unfair prejudice and employment matters arising in relation to settling with a departing shareholder founder and employee. 
• Advised international business persons on the formation of Isle of Man trusts to hold their business and personal assets. 

Will advises financial services clients on regulatory investigations, M&A of regulated entities, and corporate restructuring, with expertise in Isle of Man Financial Services Authority licensing and AML/CFT compliance. 

• Advised a client in relation to significant regulatory action by the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority (Section 14 Directions and Section 23 Appointment of Grant Thornton’s UK Fraud Investigation Team) lasting 9 months and covering over 3 million documents. 
• Headed the team acting as lead Isle of Man counsel on Ocorian’s acquisition of Estera. 
• Led the cross-practice team as Isle of Man counsel to the shareholders of Boston Limited (a class 4 and 5 licence holder) on the sale of the Boston Group to Horizon Capital. 
• Acted as lead advisor to the incumbent management team on the management buyout of Moore Stephens Retirement Solutions Limited (a licensed pension provider regulated by the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority). 
• Lead legal advisor to a UK-based lender on a £10,000,000 loan to an Isle of Man licence holder for the purchase of an Isle of Man regulated entity together with an Irish pensions provider. 

Will advises automotive sector clients on M&A and multi-jurisdictional transactions involving Isle of Man entities, with experience in large-scale dealership sales across multiple territories. 

• Led the cross-practice team as Isle of Man counsel to the shareholders of the Jacksons Car Dealership (one of the largest car dealerships in the UK with sites in the Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Jersey and Guernsey with over 500 employees) on the sale to Van Mossel, a Dutch automotive group. 

Will advises on football club transactions involving Isle of Man structures, with experience in high-value acquisitions by international investment groups. 

• Advised on the sale of shares in Everton Football Club Company Limited to an affiliate of The Friedkin Group. 
• Advised on the proposed sale of shares in Everton Football Club to a subsidiary of 777 Partners Inc.

Will advises marine and shipping clients on high-value asset finance involving Isle of Man SPVs, including refinancing arrangements for maritime assets. 

• Provided Isle of Man corporate and finance advice to an Isle of Man SPV (which owns a yacht) in respect of a €250,000,000 refinancing of a loan with Credit Suisse. 

Will advises professional services firms on M&A and management buyouts involving Isle of Man entities, with experience in accountancy practice sales and regulated pension provider transactions. 

• Acted as lead advisor to the incumbent management team on the management buyout of Moore Stephens Retirement Solutions Limited (a licensed pension provider regulated by the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority). 
• Lead legal advisor to the shareholders on the sale of their 100% interest in their Isle of Man based accountancy practice to another accountancy practice based on the Island. 

Recognised by The Legal 500 as a Next Generation Partner for Isle of Man: Corporate and Commercial 2019 – 2026 

Recognised by The Legal 500 as a Next Generation Partner  for Isle of Man: Banking, Finance and Capital Markets 2021-2026

Recognised by The Legal 500 for Isle of Man: Corporate and Commercial 2024 

Recognised by The Legal 500 for Isle of Man: Insurance and Pensions 2023 – 2024 

Recognised by The Legal 500 for Isle of Man: Venture Capital 2024 

Recognised by The Legal 500 as a Next Generation Partner for Isle of Man: Banking and Finance 2019 -2020 

Recognised by The Legal 500 2018 for Isle of Man: Banking & Finance