In an age of opportunistic takeovers that are often put together at break-neck speed, Virgin Money’s acquisition of UK lender Northern Rock stands out all the more. It marks the culmination of efforts to seal a deal by Virgin and its advisers, Greenhill, that first began more than four years ago.

For Greenhill managing director Edward Wakefield, who runs the firm's European financial services practice and had worked alongside James Lupton, chairman of Greenhill's European business, on Virgin's initial proposal in 2007, the fruition of four years of interest will no doubt be satisfying.