Matthew Ayre

Matthew Ayre is a partner in Goodwin’s Private Equity group and was previously head of leveraged finance at another market-leading firm. With over 25 years of experience, he is highly regarded in the leveraged finance market, advising private equity sponsors and other borrowers on a wide range of financings and refinancings. He also advises lenders and private capital providers on acquisition financings. His well-balanced practice results in an insight that enables him to find commercial and workable solutions to clients’ most complex issues.

Matthew is ranked in Band 1 by Chambers and Partners for leveraged finance (mid-market).

• Inflexion on numerous financings and refinancings*
• Bridgepoint on the debt facilities made available to Burger King (UK)*
• Bridgepoint Development Capital on multiple financings and refinancings*
• Bridgepoint Credit on the financing of Aerospares and RAM Tracking*
• Caledonia on the financing of DTM and Cooke Optics*
• Equistone on the financing of Talon Outdoor and Virgin Experiences*
• CGE Capital Partners on various financings and refinancings*
• EMK Capital on the financing of Cardo Systems and Keltbray Infrastructure
• RSK Group on £1 billion of available facilities made available by Ares and on their preferred equity raise*
• Epiris on its investment in Bonhams and Hytera*
• IK Partners on the acquisition financing for Forthglade, DA Languages and Checkmate Fire Solutions*
• Silicon Valley Bank/HSBCIB on various financings including on its provision of senior debt facilities in relation to EMK Capital’s acquisition of Luminati, Vector Capital’s acquisition of Cloudsense, Battery Ventures’ acquisition of the Labtech Group, and AKKR’s acquisition of Kerridge Commericial Systems*
• Pemberton on the financing of Red Global and eci’s acquisition financing of TAG*
• Porvair plc on its debt facilities*
• Auto Trader Group plc on its £400 million refinancing with debt finance provided by a syndicate of lenders*
• Apera on the financing of Airedale Catering and TC Group*
• McColl’s on its financing and refinancing matters*
• Sixth Street on the financing of Amplience and CIPHR*

* Denotes experience prior to joining Goodwin

Testimonials from Chambers and Partners UK include the following:

• “Matthew overlays fantastic commercial sentiment with a strong understanding of the legal elements of a deal.” (2025)
• “Matthew is an excellent lawyer, who is really thorough in his approach, highly knowledgeable and very commercial.” (2024)
• “He gives concrete advice and understands how to position our views vis-à-vis the other side. He is a great person to have in your corner.” (2024)