The London Stock Exchange enters the race for SPACs

Stephen Baron works as the Deputy Director for Financial and Professional services for the Department for International Trade based in the Consulate General Shanghai.

He works closely with industry, the Chinese government, financial bodies and regulators to develop policy objectives in support of trade and investment opportunities between the UK and China and developing bilateral collaboration. Prior to working for the Department of International Trade, he worked in Shanghai for a financial services focused strategic consultancy as a deputy director, advising and supporting global financial services companies on their Greater China business.

He came to China in 2009 to undertake his MSc in International Business at Ningbo, Nottingham University. After graduating with a distinction, Stephen moved to Beijing to pursue further studies at Tsinghua University.

Tom joined the London Stock Exchange Group in September 2013 and is Head of International Business Development within Primary Markets. In this role, Tom advises UK and international companies and their owners on the process of going public and life as a listed company on London’s markets. Prior to joining London Stock Exchange, Tom was at Citigroup for over 15 years as a Managing Director in the Equity Capital Markets division, originating, structuring and executing equity and equity-linked transactions across UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa. He has originated, structured and executed large number of IPOs and follow-on capital raisings over the years, including many involving a London listing. Prior to Citi, Tom worked in Kleinwort Benson’s Equity Capital Markets team from 1994 to 1997.

Tom graduated from Oxford University with a BA (Hons) degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

Andrew Weaver is Corporate Local Practice Group Head in Appleby Jersey LLP. He specialises in real estate, hedge and private equity funds, regulatory advice and corporate work in matters of Jersey and Cayman Islands law. He advises leading fund managers, advisers and financial institutions and service providers in the UK, Europe, the USA, the Middle East and Asia.

Andrew has substantial experience in public equity offerings, M&A and corporate structuring and an in-depth knowledge of partnerships and unit trusts. He worked for several years in the Appleby Cayman Islands office and before that for six years at a leading firm in the City of London.

Andrew has been consistently recognised by all leading legal reference sources as a partner who is at the pinnacle of the profession, having been added to an elite list of lawyers who have received constant praise by their clients for continued excellence. Clients report that ‘combined with his vast experience of the Jersey regulatory environment, the team is a very successful group of attorneys’.  Clients have also credited his “commercial and practical approach to service with focus, efficiency and cost-effectiveness” and noted that he “is not afraid to stand firm when needed”.  Andrew has previously been recognised as being “something of an oracle when it comes to Jersey law” , “true heavyweight who is also a pleasure to deal with”  and “personable and pragmatic”.

Andrew has been noted for his experienced handling of real estate funds, with sources reporting that he is “very responsive, commercial and client-focused” with praise for his “comprehensive tax and financing knowledge,” alongside his ability to deliver “practical solutions” for clients. He impresses clients with his ability to “find a practical way forward” and “he is easy to work with and inspires confidence” with a “willingness to think innovatively to address problems.” Others have said Andrew “provides very good legal advice and practical assistance on transactions,” while “maintaining a seamless service.”  International legal directories have for many years placed Andrew in their highest categories of recognition and Andrew was the first lawyer in Jersey to be recognised by Who’s Who Legal as an expert in both fund formation and fund regulatory advice.

He is a member of the Jersey Law Society and the Jersey Funds Association and he participates in numerous industry steering groups working with the Jersey Financial Services Commission on the on-going development of the financial services regime in Jersey.

Maria McDermott is the Asia Business Development representative for Jersey Finance, a non-profit organisation promoting the use of Jersey as an International Finance Centre.

She has over over twenty years experience working in the finance industry and is experienced in investment funds, private wealth, stock exchange listings, compliance, risk management and project management.  She has also undertaken board secretarial, governance and post IPO compliance work for companies listed on stock exchanges in Europe and Asia.

Maria has been based in Asia for the last ten years having transferred to Hong Kong for one of the offshore law firms to develop the fiduciary services business. During her time in Asia she has also worked for various listed entities and financial service providers in Singapore and Shanghai, and is now based full time in Shanghai.

Maria is an Associate member of the Chartered Governance Institute, formerly the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, and a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

She has been a member of the BritCham Shanghai Financial Services Committee since October 2020.