David Weaver
Image of David Weaver

David Weaver

Partner

Email

david.weaver@aoshearman.com

Phone

+44 203 088 2099

Offices

London

V-CARD
David advises clients on all aspects of antitrust and foreign investment law, with a particular focus on obtaining UK and international merger control and foreign investment/national security clearances on complex cross-border M&A.

David’s clients are active across a wide range of sectors, and he has particular expertise in retail, technology and financial services and extensive experience advising a range of private capital institutions on complex cross border investments.

David was a legal adviser at the UK Competition and Markets Authority, advising on complex Phase 1 and Phase 2 mergers investigations. He has invaluable insight into CMA processes and ways of working that can inform strategic decisions for his clients.

Expertise

Industries

Experience

Representative matters

  • Refinitiv and Blackstone on the USD27bn acquisition by London Stock Exchange Group, including the EU and worldwide antitrust clearances. A transformative deal creating a global digital infrastructure and financial services group.
  • Santander on the antitrust aspects of its proposed BGP2.65bn 100% acquisition of TSB Banking Group plc (TSB) from Banco Sabadell.
  • Natwest Group on the antitrust aspects of its acquisition of the personal loan, credit card and retail deposit portfolios of Sainsbury’s Bank.
  • Toyota Motor Corporation on the proposed global merger of its subsidiary, Hino Trucks with Mitsubishi Fuso (a subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG).
  • Sidara, formerly known as Dar Al-Handasah, the global design, engineering and consulting group, on the antitrust aspects of its recommended GBP208m cash offer of John Wood Group PLC.
  • Cisco on the global antitrust and foreign investment clearances for its USD 730m public offer for IMImobile PLC, and the USD 625m and USD 120m acquisitions of Accedian Inc and SamKnows Limited. 
  • Exponent Private Equity on the antitrust and foreign investment approvals of its acquisition of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.’s Flavor and Specialty Ingredients business, now called ""Natara"", and subsequent acquisition by Natara of Treatt plc.
  • Advent International on the foreign direct investment (FDI) aspects of its proposed USD1.3bn acquisition of u-blox, the Swiss semiconductor manufacturer.
  • Iberdrola on the c.GBP900m sale of SP Smart Meter Assets, its UK smart meter business, to Macquarie.
  • Arcus Infrastructure Partners on the combination of Horizon Energy Infrastructure and Smart Meter Assets with Smart Metering Systems to create one of the leading providers of UK smart metering infrastructure.
  • Runna, the world’s #1 rated personalised running coaching app, on the antitrust and FDI aspects of its 100% acquisition by Strava, the U.S.-based social network for activity and fitness tracking.
  • FD Technologies, owner of global real-time analytics leader KX, on the antitrust and FDI aspects of its GBP570m recommended takeover offer from TA Associates, a leading global private equity firm.
  • nVent Electric on the FDI aspects of its USD1.7bn carve-out sale of its Thermal Management business to funds managed by Brookfield Asset Management advising on and coordinating legal elements across several jurisdictions across the globe.
  • SERB Pharmaceuticals on multiple acquisitions including its purchase of RSDL, and US public offer for Y-mAbs Therapeutics.
  • Charterhouse Capital Partners on multiple transactions including sales of Casa Optima and Novétude Group.
  • Concentric, an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of A.P. Møller Holding A/S on its acquisition of O .M.P. Officine Mazzocco Pagnoni S.r.l. 
  • Dott on the CMA aspects of its merger with Tier, creating a champion in the European micro-mobility sector.
  • Exponent Private Equity and portfolio company Photobox Group on its combination with the European photoprints business, Albelli to create the leading European online photo business. 
  • Sumo Group plc. on the merger control and foreign investment approvals on the USD 1.2bn recommended public offer by Tencent. 
  • Etsy Inc. on its USD1.6bn acquisition of online fashion resale marketplace, Depop. 
  • Marks and Spencer plc on its acquisition of the third party contract logistics operation of Gist Limited and it online retail joint venture with Ocado.
  • American Tower Corporation on the European merger control and foreign investment screening aspects of its USD9.4bn acquisition of Telxius, the German and Spanish telecoms towers business of Telefonica. 
  • Kuehne + Nagel on its sale of its UK drinks logistics, food services and retail & technology businesses to XPO, including the review by the Competition and Markets Authority.
  • Exponent Private Equity on the sale of the BBI Group (a medical diagnostics business) to Novo Holdings for an enterprise value of more than GBP400m and on the sale of BBI Healthcare (a consumer self-care business) to Venture Group plc. 
  • Kingfisher on the antitrust approvals of its acquisition through its subsidiary Screwfix Spares Limited of the business and assets of CDSL Group Limited and acquisition of Homebase.
  • The Gym Group plc. on its acquisition of a portfolio of easyGym and Lifestyle Fitness gyms in the UK. 
  • AviLease on the antitrust and foreign investment approvals of its USD3.6bn acquisition of Standard Chartered Bank’s global aviation leasing business, Pembroke Capital.
  • eBay Inc. on its acquisition of NFT marketplace, KnownOrigin.
  • Cobham plc. on its acquisition by Advent International, including with respect to the UK’s national security review of the transaction.
  • Virgin Money on its GBP4.4bn acquisition by the Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank Group. 
  • Pennon Group plc. on its sale of Viridor (its residual waste management and recycling business, including its energy from waste assets) to KKR & Co Inc. for GBP4.2bn.
  • CityJet on its joint venture with Air Nostrum to create the largest pan-European regional airline group. 
  • Seven Trent Water plc. on the regulatory and UK merger control aspects of its joint venture with United Utilities, which combined both parties’ non-household retail operations and on its GBP78.5m acquisition of Dee Valley Water, the first water merger to be cleared at Phase 1 in the UK. 
  • Borealis Infrastructure and Wren House Infrastructure on the merger control and water utility regulatory aspects of their acquisition of a 26.315% stake in Thames Water from Macquarie, including in relation to the impact of Thames Water’s conditions of Appointment on the transaction.

 

Pro bono

  • David is a frequent mentor to young people. David regularly participates in the award-winning Smart Start and Future Frontiers programmes.

Published Work

  • “Rising tide of ‘Fix-it-first’ and ‘Up-front Buyer’ remedies in EU and UK merger cases”, Allen & Overy LLP, September 2016.
  • “UK merger control: A toughening of the voluntary regime?”, Allen & Overy LLP, July 2019
  • “How should antitrust authorities investigate deals that threaten potential competition? Nascent competition in the UK – all about the potential”, Allen & Overy LLP, July 2021
  • “The National Security and Investment Act 2021: A Snapshot of experience so far”, Allen & Overy LLP, September 2022 

Recognition

“David’s client service and general level of service is very strong. He is always available and supportive.”
Chambers UK 2026, Competition Law
“David’s level of sophistication and commercial vision is very strong. He is an excellent strategic advisor and provides practical business advice.”
Chambers UK 2026, Competition Law

Qualifications

Admissions

Solicitor, England & Wales, 2015

Academic

MA (Oxon), Jurisprudence, University of Oxford, The Queen’s College, 2011
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.