Argyro Leoutsea is a Director at Cleveland & Co, where she advises clients across private equity, investment management, fintech, and complex corporate and regulatory matters. With over 20 years of international legal experience, including in the UK, Greece, UAE and U.S., Argyro brings a unique blend of civil and common law expertise to her work with global clients.
Argyro supports clients throughout the full lifecycle of private equity and alternative fund investments, with a focus on fund structuring, capital deployment, subscription documentation, side letter negotiation, and regulatory implementation. Her experience spans investment platforms, fund managers, and institutional investors, and includes expertise in AIFs, ESG compliance, and complex commercial and financing transactions. She also regularly advises on M&A due diligence, corporate governance, and regulatory developments impacting fund manufacturers and distributors.
Before joining Cleveland & Co, Argyro held senior roles in both private practice and in-house. As Partner at a leading Athens law firm, she led capital markets and M&A mandates, including high-profile privatisation projects and bank restructurings. In the UAE, she served as Head of Corporate & Compliance at a fintech company regulated by the DFSA, overseeing corporate structuring, regulatory engagement, and strategic commercial partnerships.
Her ability to provide clear, commercially grounded advice reflects Cleveland & Co’s core values of clarity, responsiveness and excellence. Known for her adaptability, integrity, and practical judgement, Argyro is a trusted partner to clients navigating cross-border legal, regulatory, and transactional complexity.
Argyro is a Greek-qualified lawyer and a registered Foreign Lawyer with the Solicitors Regulation Authority in the UK. She is also an active member of the Hellenic Bankers Association UK and the Hellenic Law Association, and continues to bring her deep industry insight to both client matters and mentoring future legal professionals.
Argyro has developed a variety of skills namely in relation to:
- Articles of Association
- BoD / Management / Shareholders Resolutions
- Capital Markets
- Client Categorisation
- Coinvestments
- Contractual Guarantees
- Corporate and Commercial Contracts
- Engagement Letters
- Financial Services Regulation
- Heads of Terms /Termsheet
- Joint Ventures
- Legal Due Dilligence
- MAR
- NDAs
- Pooled Pension Funds
- Private Equity (open+closed)
- Regulatory & Compliance (AIFMD, Consumer Duty, ILPA, PLSA)
- Service Agreements
- Shareholders Agreements
- SPA/APA
- Training Design and Delivery
Strategic Privatisation Advisory
Acted as legal adviser to the Hellenic Republic on the €280m privatisation of the Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation, managing the full transaction lifecycle and negotiations for the majority stake sale to Deutsche Telekom.
High-Value M&A in the Gaming Sector
Represented a listed company in the €34m sale of a major online sports betting brand to a UK-based sports betting group, advising on all stages from structuring to completion.
Private Equity in Financial Services
Advised a leading US private equity fund on its €115m acquisition of a stake in a Greek bank during the recapitalisation and restructuring of the Greek banking sector, navigating complex regulatory and cross-border considerations.
Private Markets & Cross-Border Transactions
Supported clients on private markets investments ranging from £8m to £180m across private equity, infrastructure, private credit, real estate, co-investments, and secondaries. Delivered strategic legal guidance on deals spanning over 13 jurisdictions, including the U.S., Luxembourg, and the Channel Islands.
Pension Fund Investment
Advised a UK pension fund through the end-to-end acquisition process of shares in a portfolio company valued at £6.7m, ensuring robust contractual protections and alignment with long-term investment objectives.
- Hellenic Bankers Association UK
- Hellenic Law Association (UK)
- Admitted in Athens 2003
- LL.B. in English Law (University of Essex)
- LL.M in Corporate and Commercial Law (University College London)
- Qualified as a lawyer in Greece (Athens Bar Associa
- English
- French
- Greek
