Goodwin today announced that leading debt finance lawyer Matthew Ayre will be joining the firm's Private Equity practice as a partner in its London office.
With 27 years' experience in private practice, Matthew joins Goodwin from Travers Smith, where he was head of the Leveraged Finance team and has served as a partner since 2007. He is widely recognized in the acquisition finance market for advising private equity sponsors, corporate borrowers, and lenders on complex financings and restructurings.
"Our European private equity platform continues to see a strong market opportunity. Matthew's deep experience in debt finance, his commercial insight, and his longstanding relationships with private equity clients make him an ideal addition to our team here at Goodwin" says Yash Rana, partner and co-chair of Goodwin's global Private Equity practice.
Matthew's arrival follows the recent addition of partner Tom Roberts in early July and is a key part of Goodwin's strategic investment in its London debt finance practice. He will work closely with Simon Fulbrook, Tom Roberts, and the wider debt finance team to further strengthen the firm's capabilities across private equity, private credit, fund finance, and related areas.
"We remain focused on attracting market-leading talent to support our clients across the full investment lifecycle. Matthew's arrival, alongside our recent hire of Tom Roberts earlier this month, underlines our commitment to building a premier private equity and finance offering in London and across Europe. We are delighted to welcome Matthew to the team." said Carl Bradshaw, London-based partner in Goodwin's Private Equity practice.
Matthew is the latest addition to Goodwin's expansive UK private equity practice, which includes more than 80 lawyers covering M&A, private investment funds, debt finance, tax, and regulatory specialties. Over the past two years, the London team has welcomed partners Ian Keefe, George Weavil, Jacqueline Eaves, Arvin Abraham, John Anderson, and Tom Roberts.
With more than 350 lawyers globally focused on private equity, Goodwin advises clients across the full investment lifecycle — from fund formation to leveraged buyouts, growth equity investments, and exits. The firm's London office plays a critical role in delivering integrated, cross-border solutions to private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies.
Goodwin was ranked the number one law firm in LSEG Q1 2025 league tables for global M&A by deal count and was named Law Firm of the Year (Transactions) in the 2024 Mergermarket British Private Equity Awards.