Alex Canham
Partner, Corporate
Alex advises clients on a variety of corporate matters including, share sales and purchases, corporate restructurings, company option schemes and shareholders’ agreements. Alex has extensive experience advising clients in the financial services and accountancy sector.
Alex is responsible for the firm’s international offering and is a member of the IR Group. Alex was named member of the year in 2019 by his fellow members in the network.
Away from work, Alex is a keen traveller who uses time away from the office to explore new places with his family.
Alex is listed as a Leading Partner by the Legal 500 in 2025.
Alex Canham is very knowledgeable – he also has a good appreciation of what is the minimum standard and what represents potentially less commercially needed aspects."
Legal 500
Recent Experience
- Financial advisory business acquisition for £3,500,000.
- The sale of an owner-managed IFA practice for £2,750,000.
- London-based IFA practice on a series of 4 acquisitions, each with a deal value of circa £2,500,000.
- Advising the sellers of an owner-managed regional IFA on its sale of shares for a mix of cash and equity in the acquirer’s business.
- The sale of shares of an IFA business to a mid-market acquirer for a mix of cash and equity, with an ongoing role for the seller.
- The acquisition of an award-winning discretionary fund manager.
- Acquisition of a financial advisory business for £5,600,000.
- Supporting a regional wealth management practice with in excess of 10 acquisitions having a combined deal value of more than £35,000,000.
- Advising multiple business as part of a phase 1 and phase 2 acquisition strategy by a private-equity back consolidator, with each deal in excess of £4,000,000.
- Advising on the sale of an award-winning discretionary fund manager for a consideration in excess of £18,000,000.
- UK intellectual property advice for international organisations on the protection of their portfolio.
- English legal advice on implications of international joint venture and supply contracts.
Alex Canham is our lead member of IR Global for the firm and has been since we joined in 2015. He was named as the 2019 ‘Member of the Year’ as voted for by all the fellow members.
Alex will regularly attend events across the world as part of IR Globals international events, with their annual conferance and two ‘on the road’ events split between the Americas and Asia Pacific. Alex has attended events in San Diego, Washington, Zurich, Amsterdam, Lisbon and many more over the last few years.
IR Global members represent the world’s leading legal, accountancy and financial advisers. Each firm subjected to a stringent vetting process upon joining, in which we analyse reputation, rankings and feedback from peers. Each member is recommended exclusively by jurisdiction and practice area expertise.
Alex’s IR Global Profile:
- Advised on the acquisition of a majority stake in an international customs clearance business from a Hong Kong private equity fund looking to enter the UK market.
- Advising a UK –based company on the sale of its shares to an Australian sportswear retailer in exchange for equity securities, subject to escrow terms. Further advising on the pre-listing proposals.
Alex and Ed were throughout very professional as you would expect, but also always available to settle our concerns and talk us through the procedures. Something that they clearly had plenty of experience at, which showed through and gave us confidence. They took control of the situation, kept us informed and moved swiftly to conclude the business sale, for which we were very grateful.
Alan Weston, Private Client Director, HFMC Wealth
I found Alex and Edward to be responsive, on point, quick to answer queries, professional, efficient and the ability to explain complex issues in layman’s terms. An excellent service and one I would recommend to all.
Ian Morrison, Calton Wealth Management
Alex Canham, Ed Beedham and the team did a tremendous job steering us through the sale of Chadney Bulgin. With so many CB Partners involved, their comprehensive presentation of the contracts, together with excellent communication throughout (vital in this type of deal), enabled both a fast & efficient sale process. Much appreciated.
Wealth Management Business
Alex and Melissa provided a very professional service whilst also ensuring we negotiated some key inclusions and protection into our business sale agreement. Alex was a real ally ensuring that we negotiated the best possible outcomes and found solutions to areas where one didn’t seem to be present. His work alongside Melissa ensured a cohesive delivery of our complex sale – thank you both.
Richard Lord, Director
Herrington Carmichael were recommended to myself and my fellow directors to act in the selling of our financial services company. Throughout the process I found Alex Canham and Melissa Deutrom to be knowledgeable about our particular industry, they acted in our interests in a diligent but pragmatic way, gave sound advice, were responsive to our requests and focussed on achieving the deadline that we required. I would have no hesitation in recommending them to others in a similar situation.
Andrew Vince , Seller of a National Financial Advisory Business
When selling a business, you only get one chance to get it right and I will be forever grateful for the skill and advice provided by Alex and his colleagues.
Paul Thomas, Business Development Director, Generic Financial Management Ltd.
A big thank you to Alex and his team in particular Melissa who worked diligently and at all times looked to serve our best interests. They were constantly available to provide reassuring advice through a sometimes difficult transaction and fraught period. Despite the tight deadlines and significant workload I was delighted with their performance.
Simon Redhead, Managing Director, Wealth Solutions (UK) Ltd
We have worked with Alex Canham and Melissa Deutrom at Herrington Carmichael on two separate acquisitions together with numerous general corporate activities. We have always found them to be highly responsive, timely and accurate. We would definitely recommend them to other financial services companies like ours.
John Cusins, Lumin Group
Excellent level of service provided by Alex, Joel and the team. Our sale was not particularly straightforward, quality advice provided in a timely manner. I am not sure we could have completed our sale without them. Would highly recommend!
Steve Burns, Lewis Brownlee Financial
Having appointed Herrington Carmichael to act for us in a complex and lengthy transaction, the decision proved to be a very good one.
Alex, Harry and the team were knowledgeable, speedy and very willing to help with all aspects of our dealings.
I would not hesitate to highly recommend Herrington Carmichael for their first class service.”
Neil McGann
Neil McGann
There were some very late nights from the team to hit the deadline and they stayed super helpful & cheery even whilst we were quite stressed about it, which was definitely helpful.
What I particularly liked about the team at Herrington Carmichael is that everyone seems like a “normal person” where the conversations & advice was presented in a way that was easy to understand and no-one minded follow-up questions as we wrapped our heads around things. The advice seemed actionable and I felt throughout that you understood what we were looking to achieve. HC were recommended to us as being responsive and diligent and that is exactly what we experienced too.
Pavel Kudlac
Pavel Kudlac
We were very pleased with the service provided by Alex and Harry at Herrington Carmichael LLP. Appointed approximately two months ahead of completion, they demonstrated exceptional diligence and attention to detail throughout. We’re delighted with the outcome and felt thoroughly looked after during the entire process. If you’re looking for a firm to support you through a business transaction, I would have no hesitation in recommending Herrington Carmichael LLP.
Jeremy Phelps – Financial Solutions Wales Limited
From the start we were impressed with Alex’s understanding of our needs and experience which no doubt helped with our transaction. The whole team were professional and attentive which was refreshing given the complexities involved. What impressed us most was the ability to convey quite technical matters in a way that could be understood.
Jonathan Briggs
Alex, Ed and the team at Herrington Carmichael provided us with excellent advice and support for our company sale, with their knowledge and experience making the process very efficient.
Mark Brown
Best Law Firms 2024
Herrington Carmichael has once again been named in the Times Best Law Firms. We were first listed in 2023 and have once again made the Best Law Firms list for 2024.
