Key Takeaways
- • Weil, Gotshal & Manges is adding private equity partner Rebecca Ward to its London office after more than four years at Freshfields, according to Bloomberg Law.
- • Ward advised BP Plc. on the sale of a 65% stake in Castrol to Stonepeak Partners at a $10 billion valuation, and has advised sponsors including CVC, TPG and BC Partners.
- • Before Freshfields, Ward spent 17 years at private equity-focused firm Dickson Minto.
- • The hire comes amid a series of senior private equity departures from Weil's London office, which related coverage describes as a string of exits affecting its UK private equity bench.
Summary
Weil, Gotshal & Manges is adding private equity partner Rebecca Ward to its London office, Bloomberg Law reported on October 9, 2026. Ward joins from Freshfields, where she spent more than four years. Her recent work includes advising BP Plc. on the sale of a 65% stake in Castrol to Stonepeak Partners at a valuation of $10 billion. Per Freshfields' announcements, she has also advised sponsors including CVC, TPG and BC Partners. Before joining the Magic Circle firm, Ward spent 17 years as a lawyer at Dickson Minto, a firm focused on private equity.
Barry Wolf, Weil's executive partner, said Ward "brings longstanding relationships with leading sponsors and clients across Europe." The hire is intended to strengthen Weil's European platform, according to the Bloomberg Law report.
The move arrives during a period of turnover in Weil's London private equity group. Related coverage in the publisher's archive describes a string of senior exits, including David Avery-Gee, a dealmaker and London co-chief, who joined Sullivan & Cromwell alongside corporate partner Sarah Flaherty. Other reports indicate that additional UK private equity partners were expected to leave, and that several departing partners were heading to Paul Weiss. Weil has also brought back some lawyers, including Peter Feist, who returned as US co-head of its private equity practice from Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Ward's arrival is therefore a notable counterweight to recent departures, though the primary report does not state how the hire relates to those exits.
Jonathan Wood is Managing Partner of Weil's London office and a partner in its private equity group.
Barry Wolf, Weil's executive partner, said Ward "brings longstanding relationships with leading sponsors and clients across Europe." The hire is intended to strengthen Weil's European platform, according to the Bloomberg Law report.
The move arrives during a period of turnover in Weil's London private equity group. Related coverage in the publisher's archive describes a string of senior exits, including David Avery-Gee, a dealmaker and London co-chief, who joined Sullivan & Cromwell alongside corporate partner Sarah Flaherty. Other reports indicate that additional UK private equity partners were expected to leave, and that several departing partners were heading to Paul Weiss. Weil has also brought back some lawyers, including Peter Feist, who returned as US co-head of its private equity practice from Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Ward's arrival is therefore a notable counterweight to recent departures, though the primary report does not state how the hire relates to those exits.
Jonathan Wood is Managing Partner of Weil's London office and a partner in its private equity group.
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