Biography

    David is a partner in Gilbert + Tobin’s Corporate Advisory group.

    David specialises in mergers and acquisitions, with a particular focus on private equity. He also advises on IPOs, public M&A, inbound investments into Australia, corporate restructurings, venture capital transactions and joint ventures. David regularly advises financial sponsors, investors and corporates both in relation to M&A transactions and commercial matters.

    David has a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Laws (First Class) from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa and is admitted as a solicitor in New South Wales, England and Wales (non-practising), South Africa and Bermuda (non-practising).

    David is a Non-Executive Director of The Bradman Foundation.

    David's experience includes advising:

    • Quadrant Private Equity on its acquisition of leading healthcare distribution business Aidacare.
    • Quadrant Private Equity on the sale of autoparts distributor MotorOne to a Quadrant-managed continuation fund.
    • Advanced Health Limited, listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, on its sale of the PresMed Day Surgery group to Intermediate Capital Group (ICG).
    • American Industrial Partners on the sale of mining services and technology business CR Mining to Swedish-headquartered Epiroc.
    • Vast Solar on its merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) backed by NYSE-listed Nabors Industries, which will result in Vast Solar listing on the NYSE.
    • The shareholders of Altus Group, Australia’s largest full-service traffic management business, on its sale to Pacific Equity Partners.
    • Chicago based PE firm BDT Capital on the sale of Billi Water to UK-listed Strix plc.
    • The shareholders of facilities management business B.I.C. Services on its sale to South African listed Bidvest Group.
    • Advanced Personnel Management (APM) on its ~$1bn IPO and ASX listing in 2021.
    • Komatsu on its acquisition of mining services and technology business Mine Site Technologies Global (MST Global) from Odyssey Private Equity.
    • HRL Morrison & Co and Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation on the sale of CSC’s 50% stake in the Macarthur Wind Farm to Palisade Investment Partners and First Sentier Investors.
    • Infratil on the sale of its 80% shareholding in Perth Energy Holdings to AGL Energy.
    • Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation on the sale of 50% of its stake in Canberra Data Centres to The Australian Government Future Fund, Australia’s sovereign wealth fund.
    • Quadrant Private Equity and the Quadrant Growth Fund on many of its investments including:
      • Quadrant’s acquisitions and subsequent sales of APM, Canberra Data Centres, CR Mining, Zip Industries
      • Quadrant Growth Fund’s acquisition of Quad Lock
    • Risk Capital Advisors, the leading Australian W&I brokers, on its sale to US-listed Willis Towers Watson.
    • The Stars Group Inc. on its acquisition of 80% of CrownBet and subsequent acquisition, through CrownBet, of William Hill Australia.
    • Aramex, listed in Dubai, on its acquisition of Fastway Couriers in Australia and New Zealand.
    • Telstra on its $1 billion acquisition of Pacnet, an Asian telecommunications and services provider to carriers, multinational corporations and governments in the Asia-Pacific region.

    David is ranked Band 4 in Private Equity.

    THE LEGAL 500 ASIA-PACIFIC 2024

    David was recognised in the areas of Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Venture Capital Law.

    BEST LAWYERS 2025

    David is ranked for Private Equity.

    CHAMBERS ASIA-PACIFIC 2023

    David has been recognised for his work in Mergers & Acquisitions Law and Venture Capital Law.

    Best Lawyers Australia 2023