Annabelle Croker
Image of Annabelle Croker

Annabelle Croker

Partner

Email

annabelle.croker@aoshearman.com

Phone

+44 20 3088 3220

Offices

London

V-CARD
Annabelle is Co-Lead of our global Consumer and Retail sector.

She has significant experience of advising on merger and acquisition transactions, including public takeovers (both recommended and hostile), private acquisitions and disposals including a number of cross-border transactions, joint ventures, reorganisations and equity capital market transactions.

She advises Boards and senior management teams of listed companies on general corporate and governance matters. Annabelle acts for a number of FTSE 100, FTSE 250 and other international corporates. She is Co-Lead of our global Consumer and Retail sector but also advises clients across the Industrials and Technology sectors.

Annabelle has spent time on secondment to the Hong Kong office and also on secondment to the Investment Banking Division of a major U.S. investment bank.

Expertise

Industries

Experience

Representative matters

  • Associated British Foods on its acquisition of the Hovis Group.
  • WPP on the USD3.1bn sale of a majority stake in Kantar to Bain Capital and related joint venture arrangements; and on its GBP1bn hostile public takeover offer for Taylor Nelson Sofres.
  • SIG on the EUR223m sale of its Air Handling division to France Air Management; and on its GBP165m equity capital raise and sale of a stake to Clayton Dubilier & Rice.
  • TT Electronics on the recommended GBP287 million takeover offer from Cicor Technologies; on the sale of its Transportation Sensing and Control division to AVX Corporation; on its 6.1% cash placing of new shares on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange; and on its recommended public takeover of Stadium Group.
  • Kingfisher on its acquisition of the business and assets of the CDSL Group.
  • National Grid on the GBP274m sale of its metering business, which traded as OnStream, to Macquarie Bank.
  • 888 Holdings on its GBP898m contested cash and share offer for bwin.party digital entertainment.
  • OpenText on its USD6bn recommended takeover of Micro Focus International.
  • A global information technology company on its acquisition of the HyperX gaming business from Kingston Technology Company.
  • Premier Farnell on the GBP615m contested takeover offer by Datwyler Holding and the GBP691m recommended takeover by Avnet.
  • Computer Sciences Corporation on its successful GBP480m contested recommended takeover of Xchanging.
  • Kildare Partners and Curzon Advisors on the acquisition of a portfolio of European real estate assets from Karlin Real Estate.
  • A global pharmaceutical and healthcare company on its GBP1.6bn recommended takeover of AZ Electronics Materials.
  • A global financial institution and a leading private equity fund on the acquisition from Commerzbank of the London Branch of Hypothekenbank Frankfurt AG (formerly, Eurohypo) for GBP4bn.
  • A global financial institution on the sale of its European real estate loan servicing business to Mount Street.
  • ING Group on the EUR1.3bn sale of its Malaysian insurance business to pan-Asian life insurer AIA and on the EUR1.64bn sale of its insurance businesses in Thailand and Hong Kong to Pacific Century Group.
  • Cobham on its GBP270m hostile public takeover of Thrane & Thrane A/S.

Pro bono

  • Mentoring young people through the firm's award-winning Smart Start programme.

Recognition

“Annabelle Croker brings a unique blend of legal acumen and interpersonal skills that sets her apart from competitors. Her ability to communicate complex legal concepts in a clear and concise manner has been instrumental in fostering strong client relationships. Annabelle's proactive approach and unwavering dedication to achieving client objectives have been qualities I have greatly valued.”
Legal 500 UK 2026 (M&A: Upper Mid-Market and Premium deals, £750m+)
“The "wonderful" Annabelle Croker.”
Legal 500 UK 2023 (M&A: Upper Mid Market and Premium deals, £750m+)

Awards

  • Annabelle was shortlisted as a “Rising Star in Corporate” at the Euromoney Women in Business Awards 2016
  • Annabelle was shortlisted for “Dealmaker of the Year” at the Women in Law Awards 2020

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 2006

Academic

MA, Law with European Studies, Oxford University, 2002
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Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.