Mike Freer

Mike Freer is a partner in Osborne Clarke's London and Reading offices, and works alongside a growing team of expert Corporate lawyers.

He works within the private equity team and has a particular focus on advising founders and management teams in relation to buy-outs, buy-ins, equity release deals and their subsequent exits. He delivers decisive, cohesive advice grounded in his clients' commercial reality.

Mike leads Osborne Clarke's specialist Management Advisory Group, which brings together a cross-disciplinary group of expert senior lawyers experienced in advising founders and management teams on private equity transactions.

His clients are often founders, owner-managers, company boards and chairs, but he also advises institutional investors and has experience on all sides of private equity transactions. His personal and relationship-driven approach supports clients through often complex transactions, keeping focus on their strategic objectives.

He has a particular focus on the ICT and managed services sectors, having advised many of the leading platforms (including Focus Group, Southern Communications, Wavenet, Connect and Babble) on their private equity backed transactions.

Thank you and your team for the hard work and measured and thoughtful guidance. Don’t under-estimate how important that is – when you are in the thick of it, it’s very good to know that people like you are around.

Simon Baggs, CEO, Incopro, sold to Astorg-backed Corsearch, 2021

It has been an absolute pleasure working with Osborne Clarke again.  They supported our successful process in 2020, resulting in investment from Bowmark, and we had no hesitation in using them again.  Mike, Greg and all the team worked tirelessly to get us the right outcome, both for us as founders but also for the wider shareholders and option-holders. Thank you Osborne Clarke, another great outcome.  See you again in a few years for the next deal!

Chris Goodman, Co-Founder, Focus Group – acquired by Hg Capital.

Helping you succeed in tomorrow's world

Private equity transactions are often complex and fast-paced. But they ultimately revolve around people and relationships – whether that is a founder handing control of a company to an investor, or a management team forging a relationship with an unfamiliar new investor as an existing backer exits. I believe in putting people at the centre of transactions, and supporting their needs through challenging processes.

My clients are the senior leaders of their businesses and industries, and I understand they need experienced, senior-led, relationship-driven advice from a highly responsive team.