Sorsha Taylor
Image of Sorsha Taylor

Sorsha Taylor

Senior Associate

Email

sorsha.taylor@aoshearman.com

Phone

+44 203 088 3164

Offices

London

V-CARD
Sorsha's experience includes advising on the UK tax aspects of a broad range of transactions, including M&A, restructuring, equity and debt capital market and other structured financing transactions, with particular strengths in real estate, real estate finance and funds and asset management.
 

Sorsha works with clients spanning many of A&O Shearman’s major sectors, with a particular focus on private capital clients. She advises clients on all stages of the deal lifecycle, from initial structuring and planning through to documentation, negotiation and implementation. 

 

Expertise

Industries

Experience

Representative matters

  • A Middle Eastern sovereign wealth fund on the tax structuring and implementation of a major reorganisation of its holding of UK real estate assets. 
  • Westbrook on a number of different corporate, real estate and financing matters and structuring advisory work, including an up to GBP79m facility in respect of the development of Arthur Stanley House, London and its subsequent refinancings and the c.GBP850m corporate sale of Dolphin Square, London. 
  • A Middle Eastern sovereign wealth fund on its c.GBP590m purchase of a 49% stake in luxury hotel group, Rocco Forte Hotels. 
  • A long-standing global client on its joint venture investment in a property portfolio comprising 17 NHS medical facilities. 
  • Orion on its agreement to lease the building known as Panorama St Pauls (the largest office letting in the City of London since 2018) to HSBC as its new HQ. 
  • A Middle Eastern sovereign wealth fund on its USD250m investment in BlackRock Global Infrastructure Fund IV. 
  • A Middle Eastern sovereign wealth fund on its USD250m investment in a global consortium purchasing an equity stake as part of an USD11bn lease and leaseback deal relating to gas processing facilities owned by Aramco. 
  • An international organisation on the structuring of its Emerging Markets Sustainability Fund.
  • PIMCO on its acquisition using a QAHC of Kayl Parent S.A.R.L. and KHL Mortgage Services Limited from Blackstone and Sixth Street. 
  • Brookfield on the tax aspects of its USD5bn acquisition of the Modulaire Group, Europe and Asia’s leading infrastructure services company specialising in modular services, from investment funds managed by TDR Capital. 
  • Assa Abloy on its acquisition of Arran Isle Limited, a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of door and window hardware in the UK and Ireland. 
  • Investor-backed Savvy Gaming Group on the USD1.5bn acquisition of ESL Gaming (the world's largest independent esports company) and FaceIt Limited (the leading digital platform for competitive multiplayer games). 
  • Runna, the world’s #1 rated personalised running coaching app, on its 100% acquisition by Strava, the U.S.-based social network for activity and fitness tracking. 
  • Narayana Health on its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Practice Plus Group Hospitals Limited from entities managed and/or advised by Bridgepoint Group. 
  • A consortium led by Fajr Capital on the acquisition of a 65% stake in the GCC business of Aster DM Healthcare. 
  • NXMH on its acquisition of Bitstamp Limited, one of the leading global cryptocurrency exchanges, and NXMH on its subsequent disposal of Bitstamp Limited to Robinhood. 
  • Asahi on its acquisition from Diageo of Diageo Kenya Limited and UDV (Kenya) Limited for a combined equity value of c.USD3bn.

Published Work

  • Burton, Lawton, Taylor, (2022) “20 questions on QAHCs”, UK: Tax Journal 
  • Harrop, Taylor, (2019) “Farnborough Airport: losing control?”, UK: Tax Journal

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 2016

Academic

LPC, Law, Distinction

Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of Leicester, 1st

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.