Benedict Watson Counsel, Seeding Transactions

Benedict Watson

Counsel

Areas of Focus

Benedict Watson Counsel, Seeding Transactions

Benedict Watson

Counsel

benedict.watson@akingump.com

Areas of Focus

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Biography
  • Focuses on private investment funds.

Benedict Watson advises buyers and sellers on the full spectrum of secondary and associated liquidity transactions, with a particular focus on portfolio of interest sales and continuation vehicles.

He also counsels sponsors (across strategies) on both fund formation and ongoing matters during the life of a fund and also has experience advising international investors, sovereign wealth funds and fund-of-funds on various aspects of their investments – both primary and secondary. Additionally, Ben was seconded to a leading private equity secondaries firm. 

Prior to joining Akin, Benedict trained and qualified as an associate at a leading U.S. law firm, which included a secondment to the firm’s Hong Kong office.

Representative Work
  • Advised a global private equity secondaries firm, on a fund book secondaries acquisition involving a portfolio of assets, with a total NAV of approx. $500 million (with a further syndication element).
  • Represented the seller in the sale of an LP-interests portfolio, comprising in excess of 80 interests with NAV in excess of $700 million.
  • Advised a blue-chip private equity secondaries firm on a managed transaction with a leading institutional investor, involving the indirect sale of a portfolio of private equity interests by a pension scheme.
  • Advised on the acquisition of interests in a continuation fund, raising approximately $575 million, for a co-lead investor.
  • Advised on the acquisition of interests in a continuation fund, raising approximately $1.2 billion, for a lead investor.
  • Represented a global renewables manager on the fundraising of their UK focused flagship product.
  • Regularly advises sovereign wealth funds and other institutional investors on the primary investments and co-investments.

“Benedict Watson will always come up with a creative solution and has the charm to overcome the most challenging and prickly counterparties.”

“Ben Watson is thoughtful, with strong attention to detail.”

Legal 500 UK, 2025

Education
  • L.P.C., BPP University Law School, England, 2015

  • GDL, BPP University Law School, England, 2014

  • Bachelor of Arts in History, University of Bristol, 2013

Bar Admissions
  • Solicitor, England and Wales

Insights and Achievements

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