Simon Thorp

Simon acts for a broad range of clients including investors, family offices, founders, business owners, sport’s governing bodies, teams, talent and entrepreneurs. Clients include Two Circles, Twenty First Group, England Netball, ECB, Sn&ck Media, Gfinity, Ellipse Data, Srixon, Engage Digital Partners and Gloucester Rugby.

Simon’s practice predominantly involves general corporate and commercial matters including share purchase, asset transfer, investment, shareholder and joint venture agreements, along with specialist due diligence, investment and structuring in sport. Simon has particular experience in the ownership and governance of governing bodies, football, rugby and private member clubs, investment in sport and media properties, sale of sport’s businesses, funding and establishment of new sport’s leagues, the business interests of sporting talent and esports.

Simon is ranked as a leading sports law practitioner, in which he is described by commentators as “approachable, responsive and very practical in his approach and we are always impressed with his commercial understanding of our business needs. Commercially excellent with strong industry knowledge” and “adept at handling corporate work” (Legal 500) “He understands different types of acquisition and structures that we need to look at. He is very diligent and pragmatic” (Chambers & Partners).

Simon is a non-executive director at Gloucester Rugby. Simon enjoys playing all forms of sport (particularly those involving a ball) reaching a high level in tennis including previously captaining the Queen’s Club first team (a long time ago now!). Simon also assists his former university, Durham, on the development of their sport’s programme and infrastructure.