Nick is a great, trusted partner for our firm.
Biography
Nick Rainsford is a partner in the Firm's Global Private Equity practice based in London. He is recognised by leading legal directories including Chambers and The Legal 500 for his work in private equity and infrastructure transactions.
Nick focuses on infrastructure M&A across Europe, advising infrastructure funds, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and corporates on complex cross-border transactions. He has extensive experience acting for financial sponsors and other private capital providers on acquisitions, disposals, co-investments and joint ventures in the infrastructure and energy sectors.
Nick also has particular experience in shareholder and management incentive arrangements. He regularly advises on equity incentive structures and co-investment arrangements for management teams, founders and other key stakeholders in portfolio companies.
Experience
Advised Tikehau Capital on the acquisition of certain interests in ScioTeq from OpenGate Capital and the related shareholders' arrangements.*
Advised CVC DIF in respect of (i) its strategic partnership with Tabreed to acquire PAL Cooling Holding for USD1bn (ii) its acquisition of interests in Dublin EfW and (iii) the acquisition (alongside Aberdeen Standard Investments and LPPI) of Elenia Heat.*
Advised Cellnex on the divestment of a 49% stake in Cellnex Nordics to Stonepeak for Eur730m and the related shareholders' arrangements.*
Represented APG Asset Management on its investment as part of Stonepeak's Eur2.1bn recapitalisation of euNetworks and the related shareholders' arrangements.*
Advised EQT-owned Encyclis in respect of the sale of the operator of the Dublin EfW.*
Represented Virgin Media O2 in respect of the sale of certain interests in Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited to Equitix.*
Advised Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) in respect of its investment in Forliance GmbH and the subsequent sale of interests to funds managed by MAM.*
Advised Fiera Infrastructure in respect of various investments including its investment in (i) Thames Water and (ii) Medianet (the Greek fibre business).*
Represented SMFL Mirai Partners in respect of its co-investment alongside (i) Equitix, in UK onshore wind portfolio, Ventus Investments and (ii) Schroders Greencoat, in UK offshore wind farm, West of Duddon Sands.*
Advised Basalt Infrastructure Partners on the acquisition of (i) Unilode Aviation Services and (ii) Full Fibre.*
*Experience prior to joining White & Case
Professional Highlights
Band 4, Chambers Infrastructure: UK 2026
Legal 500: Infrastructure M&A: Leading Partner (2026)
Legal 500: Private Equity: Buyouts: £500m and above: Next Generation Lawyer (2026)
ILFR: Highly Regarded
Recognised in The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom, 2024 – 2026, Private Equity Law