Greenberg Traurig Maher has taken the lead role on the fund raising and initial public offering (IPO) of Atlas Mara, a cash shell founded by former Barclays chief executive Bob Diamond.

Atlas Mara – formed by companies affiliated to Diamond and the $1bn (£610m) Mara Group conglomerate head Ashish Thakkar – has so far raised $325m (£200m)with the intention of acquiring a company or business in the financial services sector in Africa.