Pinsent Masons advises on major universities merger in London

The merger which came into effect on 1 August 2024, will enable the combined institution to become a major biomedical provider of research and education on a global scale.  It will bring medicine, pharmacology, biomedical science, allied and global health to complement City’s existing health offering which includes nursing, midwifery, speech and language therapy, psychology, radiology and optometry and its longstanding reputation in delivering higher education in business, law, finance, communications and computer science. 

The Pinsent Masons team acting on the transaction was led by partner Gayle Ditchburn alongside senior associate Rebecca McCall, associate Rhiannon Woodhouse and over 40 other commercial, finance, charities, property, IP and pensions specialists.

Commenting on the deal, Gayle Ditchburn said:
"This is one of the most significant merger transactions in the higher education sector in the last decade. Our support for City, University of London in achieving this milestone with St George’s has brought together the full range of our expertise across our leading Universities and Higher Education practice. 

“Our longstanding relationship with City as legal adviser over many years and our expertise placed us in an ideal position to be able to support the university in navigating the complexities of the transaction and delivering the merger on time. We have advised on a further two transactions in the higher education sector this year alone. We congratulate both parties on their success and look forward to seeing City St George’s University of London capitalise on its combined bench strength to continue to deliver education and research excellence.” 

Commenting on working with Pinsent Masons through the project, Professor Elisabeth Hill, Deputy President and Provost of City St George’s, University of London said: “The team at Pinsent Masons has been a crucial partner in supporting the delivery of the merger. A particular benefit has been the many specialists across a range of areas of expertise, both within HE and outside, that Pinsent Masons have been able to bring to the table to support the merger process.” 

The completion of the merger, which was agreed by the institutions in February 2024, was achieved following receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals including from the Office for Students, the Privy Council, Department for Education and the Environment Agency.