Gillian is national head of the firm's corporate department. Since qualifying in 1985, Gillian has advised companies and businesses on corporate and commercial law. She has a reputation nationally for business acumen, and has years of experience buying and selling business and companies, advising on MBOs/MBIs and other private equity transactions. She is instructed by a major national organisation on its nationwide acquisition programme.

• disposal of an electronics company initially to be in exchange for shares listed on the New York stock market
• disposal of tele-sales travel agency
• disposal of chemical plant for a Singapore group
• disposal of Lancing Homes Limited
• disposal of The Roof Truss Company Limited
• acquisition by Federal Signal Inc of PIPS Technology Limited for £56m
• management buyout of the environmental services business of Euro Dismantling Services Limited
• UK restructuring of a group based in Singapore involving a High Court sanctioned reduction in capital
• merger of two substantial insurance intermediary businesses followed by the sale on of the merged entity
• acquisition of substantial insurance intermediary company (in excess of 50 branches)
• acquisition of Southern Co-operative Dairies milk processing and distribution business in the south of England
• acquisition of a chain of travel agents in Wales and the Midlands
• negotiation and completion of a major outsourcing contract valued over 3 years at approximately £30.0m
• demerger of large private group of companies
• demerger of a substantial farming company by way of members voluntary liquidation
• management buyout of Lionweld Kennedy Limited
• acquisition of Express Dairies' north east milk distribution business
• ongoing acquisitions (shares and assets) for major retail business including significant milk distribution businesses, travel agencies, food outlets etc
• acquisition of a technology company for a Canadian client and associated funding (price confidential)
• acquisition of Books UK Limited for Premier Direct Group Plc
• flotation on the Alternative Investment Market of Premier Direct Group Plc
• ongoing corporate finance advice to seed corn venture capital fund
• acquisition of a packaging business for a listed client
• management buyout of direct sales company selling toys books and novelty items including dealing with financial institutions and banks
• management buyout of recruitment and relocation services arm of British Coal Enterprise Limited including dealing with financial institutions and banks
• management buyout of Hatfield Colliery, again dealing with the financial institutions and banks
• capital acquisition of distribution rights across Europe for the sale of laboratory testing equipment
• MBI of a chain of restaurants

Within Watson Burton itself, Gillian is intrinsically involved in the strategic development of the firm.

Chambers Legal Directory 2009 said Gillian was 'Outstanding in her knowledge'. She impresses clients with her 'willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty,'  while peers recognise that she 'does a very good job for her clients.'