Richard Witvliet

Attorney-at-law | Partner
Richard Witvliet

Expertises

Corporate/M&A Private Equity Life Sciences Technology Mediation Software Deals Healthcare

Contact

On this page

Richard advises private equity funds and other investors on all types of cross-border leveraged M&A.

He heads Houthoff’s Private Equity practice in the London Offices.

  • Advised Mollie on the acquisition of British fintech GoCardless in a deal aimed at creating a new European market leader in the fragmented payments market.
  • Advises Lumileds International on a definitive agreement under which San’an Optoelectronics and Inari Amertron Berhad will acquire Lumileds Holding B.V. and its European and Asian subsidiaries.
  • Advised Advent, a leading global private equity investor, on its agreement to invest in Reckitt’s Essential Home portfolio. Advent acquired a 70% stake to support the company’s accelerated growth and innovation as a standalone business in the years ahead. The transaction values Essential Home at an enterprise value of up to US$4.8 billion, including up to US$1.3 billion in contingent and deferred consideration.
More recent work
  • Economics (Erasmus University Rotterdam)
  • Law (Erasmus University Rotterdam)
  • Admitted to the Bar in the Netherlands in 2011

Expertise

Corporate/M&A
Mergers and acquisitions are among the most transformative decisions a business can make – whether driven by ambitions for growth, entry into new markets, evolving industry dynamics or long-term investment objectives. These transactions demand clear insight and the ability to navigate legal and regulatory complexity across jurisdictions.
Private Equity
Houthoff advises private equity clients on transactions, acquisitions, financing and structuring. Our team offers strategic and legal support from entry to exit.
Life Sciences
The Life Sciences sector is rapidly growing all around the world. It's a sector where issues not only develop quickly but can also have a major social and economic impact. This can be seen in areas such as biotechnology and in the development of innovative medicines, medical devices and foodstuffs.
Technology
Whether it's about the largest and fastest-growing companies having technology at the core of their business model, financial institutions developing new ways to commercialise their services or industrials relying heavily on technology for their products – technology is top of mind.
Mediation
Business conflicts are inevitable and nothing new. However, they are becoming more commonplace in the wake of developments in society, as an increasingly diverse group of stakeholders exerts pressure in the boardroom and society is growing more juridified. To resolve these conflicts, parties increasingly explore alternative methods.
Software Deals
M&A is an efficient way for companies to gain access to new software solutions and assets, including skilled and specialised people. We view a successful M&A software deal as one where the strategic options have been considered, a healthy risk-profile has been completed, and most importantly, where value has been created over time.
Healthcare
The healthcare sector is under pressure. Due to an ageing population and smarter but more expensive treatment methods, costs are increasing, while further rises in healthcare spending are frowned upon. That is why the government has introduced regulated market forces.

Recommended

Legal 500

Private Equity (2026 Edition)

Related articles

More insights
More insights
Deals and matters
Mollie to acquire GoCardless
15 December 2025

Mollie to acquire GoCardless

Deals and matters
San’an and Inari to Acquire 100% of Lumileds Holding B.V.’s Shares
4 August 2025

San’an and Inari to Acquire 100% of Lumileds Holding B.V.’s Shares

Deals and matters
Advent acquires majority stake in Reckitt’s Essential Home portfolio
23 July 2025

Advent acquires majority stake in Reckitt’s Essential Home portfolio

Deals and matters
Mollie to acquire GoCardless
15 December 2025

Mollie to acquire GoCardless

Deals and matters
San’an and Inari to Acquire 100% of Lumileds Holding B.V.’s Shares
4 August 2025

San’an and Inari to Acquire 100% of Lumileds Holding B.V.’s Shares

Deals and matters
Advent acquires majority stake in Reckitt’s Essential Home portfolio
23 July 2025

Advent acquires majority stake in Reckitt’s Essential Home portfolio

This site is registered on wpml.org as a development site. Switch to a production site key to remove this banner.