Tom Bruce

Partner

Tom is an experienced corporate lawyer known for his personable approach and outstanding client service. He advises entrepreneurs, investors, corporates and sports organisations. His expertise spans fundraising and M&A for ambitious and fast-growing private businesses and corporates; and the legal needs of entrepreneurs, investors and sports organisations including transactional matters, governance and structuring.

Expertise

Entrepreneurs & Investors

Tom is head of Entrepreneurs & Investors at Farrer & Co. He acts for owner-managed businesses, investors and other corporates. He also leads on transactions for owners seeking to sell businesses, both to UK and international corporate purchasers. His clients appreciate the fact that his experience of working directly with and “against” sophisticated entrepreneurs and senior management teams equips him to be proactive, grasp priorities quickly and provide practical, commercial advice.

Sport

Tom is head of Sports at Farrer & Co. He works closely with high profile sports clients on a wide range of corporate, commercial and governance matters. He advises International Federations, National Governing Bodies, commercial sports organisations and clubs and is a "go-to" adviser for clients on governance matters (including the Code for Sports Governance), joint ventures and the structuring of international sporting events.

Testimonials

'"Tom Bruce – best in the business for mid-market M&A – all over every aspect of a transaction while remaining commercially focused and pragmatic" (Legal 500 2023)

"Tom Bruce has a clear appreciation of both the business objective alongside the legal process. When we are undertaking a piece of work, having both sides clear is an important outcome." (Legal 500 2022)

"Tom Bruce is always available and couldn’t be more helpful." (Legal 500 2022)

"Tom Bruce is the most knowledgeable lawyer in regards to corporate governance issues in the sports sector. He has advised so many organisations, and his detailed knowledge of the sector, coupled with his legal skill, means he is now the go-to person for any governance related issues in the sport sector." (Legal 500 2021)

Tom Bruce 'provides superlative service'. Legal 500

Tom Bruce is recommended for corporate governance matters, and 'has almost single-handedly helped to modernise the governance of many sports organisations'. Legal 500

Memberships & Accolades

Tom spent five months on secondment to the Rugby Football Union in 2014. He is a contributor to Lewis & Taylor's leading textbook "Sport: Law and Practice" and his commentary on governance reform at FIFA and the UCI has been published by the Telegraph, the Times, FourFourTwo and Perform, and also aired on the radio in South Africa.