Martin Yells

Martin is a senior partner in our Banking & Finance Team in the UK. He is recognised as a leading individual in Chambers, specialising in acquisition, general corporate and real estate finance.

Martin advises sponsor backed borrowers, corporate groups and lenders in the UK and Europe on complex secured and unsecured debt financings.

Based on over 20 years of experience, he provides practical advice on a wide range of banking and finance matters, with clients relying on him to bring all parties to a consensus quickly and efficiently.

Martin also has a particular focus on debt funding for private equity sponsor backed borrowers and asset backed financings.

Expertise

Services and Groups

Banking & finance

Acquisition & leveraged finance

Real estate finance

Sectors

Financial institutions & insurance

CV

Since 2006 Partner, Taylor Wessing

2002 - 2006 Associate

2001 - 2002 Corporate Counsel, Cable & Wireless

Career

Since 2006 Partner, Taylor Wessing

2002 - 2006 Associate

2001 - 2002 Corporate Counsel, Cable & Wireless

Education

1998 Admitted as a lawyer, England & Wales

1996 LPC, College of Law

1995 LLB Law, 1st Class, King's College, London

Awards

Finance Dublin Deals of the Year 2025

Featured

Chambers and Partners UK 2023

Legal 500 UK 2022

IFLR 1000 2020

Experience

Sale of K2 Partnering Solutions to Inflexion's Buyout Fund VI

Advised K2 on its borrowing facilities as part of a sale of the group from Inflexion's Partnership Capital fund to its Buyout Fund VI.

Press release

Martin Yells

Alexander Swayne

Rutland Partners LLP

Acting on the debt financing in relation to the secondary buyout of Woodall Nicholson Holdings Limited, a leading group of companies carrying out specialist vehicle design and engineering, including funeral hearses, buses and ambulances.

Martin Yells

McLaren on their nationwide development programme for high end development

McLaren on their nationwide development programme for high end residential development, mixed used, and student accommodation blocks in Bath, Brighton, Cardiff, London, Oxford, Cambridge, Coventry, Southampton, and Manchester.

Press release

Emma Tait

Paul Leamy

Martin Yells

Affirma Capital on its MBO of Standard Chartered Bank's private equity investment business

Advised Affirma Capital, a newly formed, independent private equity firm owned and managed by the former senior leadership of Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE), on its MBO of Standard Chartered Bank's (SCB) private equity investment business. The deal was complex, involving the acquisition by Affirma Capital of the general partners and investment managers of various third party funds being spun out from within SCB, as well as the establishment of a new fund backed by ICG and incorporation of investment adviser entities in Affirma Capital's key jurisdictions.

Press release

Emma Danks

Martin Yells

Alex Walker

Longstanding client Rutland Partners on the sale of Pizza Hut Restaurants

Rutland Partners on the sale of Pizza Hut Restaurants UK to its existing management team led by Jens Hofma (CEO). The disposal concludes an extremely successful investment for Rutland Fund II.Rutland first acquired Pizza Hut Restaurants UK (excluding the Delivery Business) in November 2012 from the global franchisor, Yum! Brands.

Press release

Martin Yells

Emma Oakley

Jonny Bethell

Alex Walker

Inflexion Private Equity on the refinancing of the Alston Elliot group

Inflexion Private Equity on the refinancing of the Alston Elliot group. Alston Elliot is a leading provider of premium data-driven graphics solutions for live sports broadcasts. The refinancing completed via secured loan facilities provided by Cordet Capital.

Press release

Martin Yells

James Goold