Richard Spencer

Partner, Head of FinTech & Co-Head of Corporate
Richard Spencer - Partner, Campbells Grand Cayman - Corporate Law

Overview

Richard is head of FinTech and co-head of our Corporate Department. He is the “go-to Cayman and BVI lawyer for the crypto industry” (Chambers & Partners), and his practice also covers investment funds, cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, equity capital markets and corporate finance.

Richard represents hedge fund managers and private equity firms on the structuring, formation, regulation and ongoing operation of Cayman Islands investment funds with a wide array of asset classes, from cryptocurrencies and other digital assets to real estate and debt. He also advises fund investors and service providers on both routine and complex investment fund related matters. Richard advises on a wide variety of corporate transactions, including cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, stock market listings, shareholder arrangements, group reorganisations and downstream transactions. He regularly assists emerging growth companies and established technology companies with their group structuring, offshore IP ownership and fundraising. He also advises clients on a range of finance matters, including fund financing and debt listings on the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange. Richard joined Campbells in 2014.

Expertise

  • Investment funds
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Joint ventures
  • Equity capital markets
  • Corporate finance
  • Asset finance

Work Highlights

  • Advising Barrick Gold Corporation and its affiliates on its Cayman Islands joint venture arrangement with Shandong Gold Mining Co., Ltd. in respect of the Veladero gold mine in Argentina.
  • Advising Hark Capital on the set up and launch of its closed-ended Cayman Islands debt fund.

Qualifications and Admissions

  • Attorney at Law Cayman Islands, 2014
  • England & Wales, Solicitor, 2006 (non-practising)
  • Nottingham Law School, Legal Practice Course (with distinction), 2003
  • University of Oxford, Jurisprudence, 2002
  • Solicitor of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (British Virgin Islands)

Prior Career History

  • Ogier
  • Ashurst

Professional Associations

  •  AIMA Cayman Executive Committee (Member Representative)
  • Blockchain Association of the Cayman Islands (Founding Director)

Recognition and Awards

  • Ranked in Chambers & Partners Cayman Islands FinTech Guide, Band 1
  • Ranked in Chambers & Partners British Virgin Islands FinTech Guide, Band 1

Publications and News

News

  • Caribbean Regulatory Update – Q4 2024.
    The Q4 Regulatory Update provides an overview of the main legal developments in the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands from 1 October to 31 December 2024.
  • Monaco Yacht Show 2024: Round-Up.
    Our market leading Family Office & Private Capital team have provided some key take-away points on the Monaco Yacht Show.
  • Caribbean Regulatory Update - Q3 2024.
    The Q3 Regulatory Update provides an overview of the main legal developments in the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands from 1 July to 30 September 2024.
  • Caribbean Regulatory Update – Q2 2024.
    This Update provides an overview of the main legal developments in the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands from 1 April to 30 June 2024.

Client Advisories

  • Campbells’ Guide to the 2024 BVI Business Companies Act Amendments.
    Demonstrating its commitment to ensuring that its financial services industry is aligned with international best practices, the BVI Business Companies (Amendment) Act, 2024 which makes various amendments to the BVI Business Companies Act (as revised), was published in the BVI Gazette on 26 September 2024. 
  • Changes to the Cayman Islands beneficial ownership regime.
    The Beneficial Ownership Transparency Act, 2023 and the Beneficial Ownership Transparency Regulations, 2024 were brought into force on 31 July 2024, with enforcement relating to the new requirements under the Act commencing on 1 January 2025.
  • Deadline approaching to file the BVI Annual Financial Return.
    Every BVI company is required to file with its registered agent an annual financial return within 9 months of either the company’s calendar year or, if the company’s financial year is not a calendar year, the company’s financial year.
  • Amendments to the Cayman Islands Companies Act.
    The purposes of the Amendment Act is to make innovative commercial enhancements to the Companies Act; however, it has been gazetted, but is not yet in force.