Linklaters managing associate Richard Youle joined the firm in 2001 with former SJ Berwin partners Graham White and Raymond McKeeve to create a private equity department. Since then he has launched his own client marketing initiative and scooped a list of impressive clients, which includes HgCapital, Hermes Private Equity and Sun Capital Partners.

Youle led the first successful transaction for US private investment company Sun Capital Partners after a number of aborted mandates. The €100m (£68.5m) acquisition of Sara Lee European Branded Apparel involved the acquisition of shares and business assets in 24 different jurisdictions across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Other highlights of 2005 included advising private equity firm MidOcean Partners on its £90m public-to-private offer for health and gym chain LA Fitness, and acting for ABN Amro on its acquisition of Priory Healthcare. Notably, Youle led the team agreeing the equity arrangements between ABN and management, which were finalised in a record 24-hour period.