Robert Gaut is a Tax partner and head of the UK Tax practice in London.
Robert provides advice on a full range of UK and international tax issues relating to fund formation, private equity deals, finance transactions and private equity real estate matters, including experience with non-traditional equity transactions, such as debt-like preferred equity and co-investments for private credit investors.
Robert is highly-regarded for his ability to provide sophisticated tax advice to many of the world’s preeminent multinational companies, sovereign wealth funds, investment banks and private equity and credit funds. Clients have commented to legal directories that Robert is “really technical and knows his stuff,” and “has a very strong knowledge of the various tax laws, but also presents more innovative techniques and strategies."
Robert is consistently recognized by Chambers UK and The Legal 500 United Kingdom, and has been recognized by Chambers Global as a leading individual in tax. The Legal 500 comments that Robert has “vast experience in a range of matters, including corporate tax structuring, real estate tax and fund formation.”. Robert is recognized by Lexology's Who's Who Legal independent research as being among the highest-ranked Lawyers in WWL: Corporate Tax 2024.
Education
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University of Bristol, LL.B.
With Honors
Admissions & Qualifications
- Admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales
Memberships
International Bar Association
International Fiscal Association
Law Society of England and Wales
Law Society's Tax Law Committee
Awards & Recognition
Pro Bono Recognition List: England & Wales, 2025
Lexology Who's Who Legal: Corporate Tax - Advisory 2019, 2023-2024
Chambers UK: Tax 2015-2022, 2024-2025
Chambers Global: UK: Tax 2017-2025
Chambers Europe: UK: Tax 2018-2025
The Legal 500 United Kingdom: Corporate: Tax 2021, 2023-2025
The Legal 500 United Kingdom: Corporate: Tax: Leading Lawyer 2025
Matters
Recent Representations:
- Advisor to funds managed by the credit group of Ares Management Corporation on the largest ever unitranche financing representing an aggregate £1.85 billion commitment to The Ardonagh Group.
- Advising 17Capital on its inaugural NAV lending fund which raised €2.6 billion.
- Representing Arkema S.A. on its acquisition of the performance adhesives division of Ashland for $1.65 billion.
- Representing Accor S.A. on the structuring and formation of its joint venture with Ennismore, one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing hospitality companies.
- Advising Willard Ahdritz, Founder and Chairman of Kobalt, on U.S. matters in connection with Kobalt’s sale of its controlling interest to Francisco Partners.
- Advising the Isio group on its agreement to acquire Deloitte Total Reward and Benefits Limited, the UK pensions advisory business of Deloitte LLP.
- Advising funds managed by Ares Management Corporation on the financing of Eagle Football Holdings Bidco Limited’s acquisition of a significant controlling stake in French Ligue 1 football club, Olympique Lyonnais Groupe SA.
- Advising Hollyport Capital, a leading investor making mature private equity investments on the secondary market in a wide range of fund types and geographies, on the formation of its latest fund, Hollyport Secondary Opportunities Fund VIII2, which secured over $2.2bn of commitments.
- Advising Lovell Minnick Partners on the agreement to acquire a majority stake in London & Capital, an independently owned, London-based, wealth and asset manager with £4.1 billion in assets under management.
Tax Talks Blog
Read the latest updates and insights on tax law
Edited by Robert E. Gaut, Martin T. Hamilton and Colleen Hart