Ray Berg

As Managing Partner of Osborne Clarke in the UK, Ray has a multi-faceted role, simultaneously defining our organisation’s ‘big picture’ strategies, while leading the day-to-day running of the firm.
Ray’s role includes directing Osborne Clarke’s three-dimensional client strategy, combining legal expertise, sector understanding and transformational insight to help clients shape their future. The strategy responds to global mega-trends that are transforming business, such as digital transformation, the transition to a net zero future and adapting the ever-evolving urban dynamics of how we live, work and travel.
Alongside this, Ray is also passionate about building a strong and diverse organisation, and has made this a core part of Osborne Clarke’s strategy.
Ray is an acclaimed speaker for LBCambridge2: a major Leadership and Management Programme for in-house lawyers preparing to succeed in senior roles with management responsibility. His sessions provide innovative, out-of-the-box perspectives which challenge delegates’ thinking, helping them to develop their strategic, operational and tactical insight.
More than many firms, Osborne Clarke is characterised by the extent to which it prioritises health, wellbeing and simply doing right by its people and clients.
With a background in Business Transactions, M&A, corporate finance and commercial law, Ray’s transactional work includes acting on mergers and acquisitions, cross-border transactions, demergers, equity issues, joint ventures and corporate reorganisations for both public and private companies. A large proportion of his work involves acting for clients in the digital business sector. A significant amount of this work involves acting on cross-border deals throughout Europe, North America and the Far East.
He still has a very active role with clients, continuing to work for longstanding clients on their major/strategic mergers and acquisitions.
Helping you succeed in tomorrow's world
"Maintaining Osborne Clarke's culture and values at scale is my top priority. I truly care about people – about diversity, inclusion and social mobility – and I see those qualities shared by the team around me. They’re no longer just a nice to have – they’re business critical.
Part of our work is extending these values to our clients too.
The future holds so much opportunity: the ability for our clients to embrace, engage with and respond to Equality, Education, Social Mobility and Governance initiatives that will not only futureproof their businesses, but truly strengthen the quality of their work and the perception of their businesses.”
Advised on a £90m recommended acquisition by Kinetic Bidco Limited.
Advised on the sale of Redstone's fixed line telecoms business to Daisy Communications and Redstone's subsequent fundraising.
Advised on an agreement to acquire Comunica Holdings Limited for up to £22m.
Advised on the proposed acquisition of IDN Telecom plc for an approximate value of £11.8m.
Advised on several acquisitions, including Route Development Group from its private shareholders on behalf of UBM Aviation for £9.3m.
Advised on a series of fundraisings, the last being a £8.5m fundraise with approximately £6m coming from new investor Highland Capital and the balance from existing investors, Eden, Notion and MMC.
Advised on a buyout by ISIS Equity Partners for £10m.
Advised on its acquisition of the outstanding 50% stake of its Canada Newswire JV from its partner the Press Association for £30.1m.
Advised in relation to its acquisition of Ithaca Holdings Ltd for £14.25m.
Advised on its sale to Quindell Portfolio plc, the acquisitive AIM-traded technology and outsourcing group, for £13m via a mixture of cash and shares.
Advised on the sale of its telecoms and mobile divisions to Daisy Telecoms Limited for a consideration of £17m.
Advised on its agreements with Manwin relating to its TV and online businesses.
Advised the shareholders of medico-legal cloud technology specialist iSaaS Technology Limited on its sale to Quindell Portfolio plc, the acquisitive AIM-traded technology and outsourcing group, for a mixture of cash and shares.
Advised on their acquisition of and investment into environmental and health & safety software provider Rivo Software.
Advised on its £103m recommended acquisition by Kinetic Bidco Limited, an investment vehicle indirectly owned by the Francisco Partners Funds.
Advised on its sale to Cello.
Advised on its fundraising and M&A activity.
Advised on its acquisition of financial PR specialist Merlin Financial Communications.
Advised on its acquisition of Enara Group Limited, the UK’s fourth largest provider of home care services, for £110.8m.
Advised on acquisition of Chambers Travel.
Advised on acquisition of a majority stake in Source Eight Limited (Source 8).
Advised NewVoiceMedia on its US$50m fundraising.