Ian Wood-Smith
Senior Partner
Ian Wood-Smith was one of the founding partners of FSP in 1987 setting up the Corporate team and is now the Senior Partner. Ian advises companies and businesses on buying, selling, financing and general strategy. The majority of his clients are in the owner managed sector.
Ian has advised a number of successful entrepreneurs over the years from start up to exit and has many long established client relationships. He also advises and has advised since the 1989 recession on corporate restructuring and insolvencies working closely with local and other insolvency practitioners.
Ian was a director of Reading Football Club for 21 years seeing the club move to the Madejski Stadium and being promoted to the Premier League twice. He was Chairman of Huntercombe Golf Club for four years from 2017 and currently advises a number of businesses in the golf industry. Ian is now a trustee of Berkshire Cricket and President of Goring Social Club and honorary lawyer to Hambleden Sports Club. He has also been a governor of Bradfield College for over 10 years and was a governor of St Neots Prep School and has knowledge of the education/charities sector.
"He's commercial, sensible and a good lawyer."
"Deeply experienced in handling sophisticated transactions and restructurings."
"Pragmatic and level headed."
"An extremely good lawyer and very efficient."
"He just goes above and beyond, and he manages the relationships very well."
"Very well regarded."
"Charming, hugely experienced and very well liked. There are certain people you like working with and he's one of those. He wants to get things done."