A&O Shearman fund finance co-head exits to Weil

Weil has boosted its London bench with the hire of fund finance partner Fiona Cumming from A&O Shearman.

Cumming will join the US firm after more than 20 years at A&O Shearman and its legacy firm Allen & Overy, including almost a decade in Hong Kong.

She currently serves as private capital sector lead and global co-head of the firm's fund finance practice, having made partner in 2015.

Her practice focuses on advising financial institutions and private credit lenders across the full spectrum of fund finance products, including subscription line facilities, NAV financings, hybrid facilities and GP financings.

Tom Richards, head of Weil’s London finance practice, said: “Fiona brings extensive experience across the fund finance landscape, with a strong focus on fund finance in all its various forms as well as broader hybrid capital solutions.

“She will be instrumental in expanding this capability and supporting clients across the full spectrum of fund finance matters.”

Active lateral market

The move comes in the same week Weil announced the hire of leveraged finance partner James Crooks from Sidley, while in April it recruited private equity secondaries partner Charles Cooper-Isow from Kirkland.

Cumming’s hire comes during a period of heightened partner movement for Weil in London.

Earlier this year, Sullivan & Cromwell recruited leveraged finance trio Chris McLaughlin, Alastair McVeigh and Jenny Choi from the firm as part of its continued London expansion. More recently, Akin poached a three-partner restructuring team led by London restructuring co-head Neil Devaney.

Weil currently has around 45 partners in London.