Norton Rose cements Admiral, QBE relationships

Norton Rose has consolidated its relationship with two of Europe’s largest insurers. The firm scooped a key role on the initial public offering (IPO) of Admiral and associate Adrian Williams landed the general counsel role at QBE.

James Bateson, head of the firm’s corporate and regulatory insurance practice, is leading the team acting for Admiral on its float, which is valued at up to £770m. Norton Rose has been working on the IPO since May, when it won a competitive pitch.

Because shares are being offered to investors in Europe and the US as well as the UK, US corporate finance partner Thomas Vita is also advising on the float. Clifford Chance corporate finance partner Iain Hunter is advising issuer Merrill Lynch.

Meanwhile, Norton Rose associate Adrian Williams is leaving the firm to become insurance giant QBE’s first ever European general counsel. The position has been created for Williams following work he has undertaken for QBE during his five years with Norton Rose.

Bateson told The Lawyer: “We’re sorry that [Williams is] leaving, but he’s got a fantastic opportunity at QBE. We look forward to working with Adrian as a client – it’s not the end of the Adrian Williams-Norton Rose story.”

He added that the hire of Williams was testament to the quality of lawyers at Norton Rose.