Corporate and commercial: Norwich in East Anglia

Birketts LLP

In Norwich, Birketts LLP has 'an excellent team, that works diligently and effectively'. Clients note that the lawyers 'explain things in simple terms, whilst understanding the commercial options'. Ed Savory, who advises numerous SMEs and family-owned businesses on sales, acquisitions, MBOs, generational transitions and re-organisations, has taken over the role of lead partner. Adrian Possener now focusing exclusively on deals in the energy and infrastructure sector. Corporate finance specialist Greg Allan is a key adviser on M&A transactions, notably in the care homes sector, and technology expert Paul Palik leads the Norwich commercial team, handling digital transformation projects, knowledge transfer partnerships and more.

Practice head(s):

Ed Savory; Adrian Possener


Other key lawyers:

Greg Allan; Paul Palik


Testimonials

‘Excellent team, that works diligently and effectively.’

‘Easy to work and get along with. Explain things in simple terms, whilst understanding the commercial options available to the client.’

Key clients

Potters Leisure


Black Swan


Norse Group


M7 Institutional Funds


Brookfield funds’ UK infrastructure group BUUK


CVS plc


G’s Fresh


Creating Adventurous Places t/c WeAreCapco


Antea UK


Foresight


Essex Services Group Ltd


Paddy & Scotts


Zedify


UK Holiday Group


Sanctuary Personnel


Gordon Murray Design


Work highlights


  • Advised the shareholders on the sale of Sanctuary Personnel and Seven Resourcing to Agilitas PE fund.
  • Advised Foresight PE fund on its investments into Amworld and Clearview Endoscopy.
  • Advised Zedify on its £5m fundraise.

Mills & Reeve LLP

Mills & Reeve LLP's Norwich office is home to a deep bench of talent, with highly experienced corporate and commercial partners handling high-value and complex deals. Natalie Wade, who frequently handles health sector transactions, and head of commercial Greg Gibson, who focuses on outsourcing, commercial contracts and procurement law, oversee the group. Firm-wide head of corporate James Hunter also plays a pivotal role in major deals, and he recently advised Arthur J Gallagher on the purchase of Lifesure Limited. Head of the firm-wide national food and agribusiness sector group Craig Hodgson assisted private equity firm Foresight Group LLP with the purchase of Cambrionix Limited. M&A and funds specialist Matthew Short; and principal associate Christina O’Brien are also prominent practitioners.

Practice head(s):

Greg Gibson; Natalie Wade


Other key lawyers:

James Hunter; Craig Hodgson; Matthew Short; Christina O’Brien; Simon Elsegood


Testimonials

‘The team is experienced and good to work with in the healthcare space and has a deep knowledge of SPV / OpCo / Propco structures.’

‘The most outstanding part of the service provided by the team at M&R was their commitment to getting the deal completed within the time frames we were working to. Specialist individuals with specific skill sets were brought in to answer questions or to produce contracts for the main team, meaning we could progress the deal in hours and not days or weeks. Their team worked harmoniously together, they were both dynamic and effective.’

‘Our lead solicitor was frankly amazing, her level of commitments was something I had not experienced before. She was available 24/7 and she answered emails within minutes or hours. There were no delays; she personally progressed the deal to its conclusion. She was available extremely early in the morning to join teams calls with directors that resided in both the US and Australia, Nothing was too much trouble.’

‘Great ability to bring together an effective team on complex transactions.’

‘Great ability to provide support and ensure coverage at all hours of every day during a transaction. Simon Elsegood has a broad legal knowledge, able to advise on a variety of regulatory and commercial matters to get to an effective agreement.’

Key clients

ArchiMed SAS


Sue Ryder


Downing LLP


Arthur J Gallagher


Peterborough Metal Recycling Limited (t.a. BW Riddle)


Foresight Group LLP


Richardson Malting (UK) Limited


Shareholders of MAP Life Sciences Limited


Hugh Lowe Farms Limited


Work highlights


  • Foresight Group LLP ( a leading PE house) incorporated a newco Axis Newco Limited (Buyer) to purchase the entire issued share capital in Cambrionix Limited.
  • Advised the Department for Work and Pensions on the award of its Functional Assessment Services Contracts.

Ashtons Legal

The corporate and commercial group at Ashtons Legal is led from Ipswich by Geoff Hazlewood but its Norwich office is home to an experienced group of partners whose work spans key sectors regionally and nationally. Franchising specialists Damian Humphrey and John Chambers, who increasingly work for franchisees as well as franchisors, have a nationally recognised practice. CEO James Tarling helped establish the firm's presence in the technology sector, and corporate transaction specialist Richard Bailey is a key adviser to national and international trade organisations and associations. Senior associates Mark Watson and the 'friendly and diligent' David Sloman also play key roles in the practice.

Practice head(s):

Geoff Hazlewood


Other key lawyers:

James Tarling; Richard Bailey; John Chambers; Damian Humphrey; Mark Watson; David Sloman


Testimonials

‘Vast experience and very knowledgeable and professional in their dealings.’

‘Mark Watson – very easy to deal with and gave me comfort that our interests were well considered. With all legal advisors, we need to have a level of trust in our advisors and with Mark, we had this.’

‘They have been very supportive throughout our start-up growth journey after we met them through a local accelerator helping to introduce us to other local businesses and providing advice on investment raising, intellectual property and corporate structure related queries.’

‘David Sloman is friendly and diligent and has been fantastic in liaising with external investors and financial advisors.’

‘Professional, personable and very helpful, explaining things in a simple and straightforward way! Quarterly meetings ensure that our billing is on track. The team do a lot of contract reviews for us and work very collaboratively to ensure the best outcome for our organisation. We would not consider using another company for our legal work.’

‘Mark Watson is our lead contact and incredibly knowledgeable and friendly in his approach and style working across various people in our organisation.’

Key clients

Stow Healthcare Group


Cosworth Group Client focus: Cosworth – Ashtons Legal Solicitors


Medical Management Systems


TaxAssist Group


Signs Express


Titan Motorsport & Automotive Engineering


Camgrain


xDNA Group Limited


FO Ventures Limited (Flip Out)


Quadrant Management


Euston Ventures Limited


Witnesham Ventures Limited


Ubisend


Tech Educators


Gipping Construction


Abbey International Finance Limited


Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment


Bowmonk Limited


Akcela Ventures


Bill Cleyndert & Company


TryHackMe


Hemp Innovations


Natural Building Systems


The Pixl Club


Smartspace Software PLC


Work highlights


  • Advising Abbey International Finance Limited on the sale of the UK operations carried out by one of its UK subsidiary OneAdvent by way of an MBO led by the UK managing director.
  • Advised Tech Educators on the company’s SEIS investment round. Ashtons incorporated the company and advised it and the founders on its spin out from the Akcela business incubator, and have been acting for it ever since in all commercial legal matters across several departments.
  • Advising a high performance automotive engineering company on long term technical development and supply agreements.

Fosters

Fosters is a popular Norfolk firm with a loyal client base among SMEs and family-owned businesses. The firm’s In House offering, which provides an outsourced legal advice model to our clients on a retainer basis, is spearheaded by 'diligent and patient' head of the business and commercial group Jamie Arnall, while senior associate Josh Perez-Fosh leads the corporate practice. Associate Charlotte Darkins is highly experienced in working with Arnall to advise clients in the sports industry. Clients remark that the team is  'fantastic - very knowledgeable and quick to respond'.

Practice head(s):

Jamie Arnall; Josh Perez-Fosh


Other key lawyers:

Charlotte Darkins; Lucy Warren


Testimonials

‘The corporate team at Fosters comes across as a close-knit and collaborative team working well together to give your business the outcomes you need.’

‘Lucy Warren has been super quick in her responses regarding our full GDPR overhaul, clear guidance, quick responses and demonstrated a good understanding of our needs and time frames. I feel she went above and beyond to get us compliant.’

‘The whole Fosters team is fantastic, no matter who you go to, they are always very knowledgeable, quick to respond to your query and present options in a clear and easy to understand way. Would highly recommend.’

Key clients

The Basketball League Limited


A-2-Sea Solutions Limited


Motorplus Limited


Work highlights


Howes Percival LLP

Howes Percival LLP has 'a team that pulls together and will work hard on your behalf'. The firm handles high-value M&A transactions, as well as commercial matters, across East Anglia and further afield. The firm-wide corporate, commercial and banking practice is led from Cambridge by James Stephen but the 'calm and practical' Oliver Pritchard in Norwich leads the East Anglia corporate group. 'Calm, patient, very knowledgeable and hardworking' legal director Richard Turner, and associates Lizzy Page and Helaina Mann also play central roles in the practice. Turner recently assisted shareholders of AFA Fostering Ltd on its sale to BSN Social Care.

Practice head(s):

James Stephen; Oliver Pritchard


Other key lawyers:

Lizzy Page; Richard Turner; Helaina Mann


Testimonials

‘The team is very approachable and develop excellent relationships with clients, which builds trust. Transactions are life-changing events for clients, but the Howes Percival team approach clients with empathy, patience, building trust and guiding them expertly. In particular, Oliver Pritchard embodies these qualities. He has years of experience but takes clients through a deal like guiding a precious cargo. Never arrogant or impatient, just calm and practical. I would choose to have him by my side on any deal.’

‘The team provides clear and practical commercial advice. They have wide experience of all commercial transactions and advice is provided on a prompt and timely basis.’

‘Lizzy Page deals with us on a day to day basis progressing all legal documents etc required. Prompt and efficient in responding to all questions.’

‘The Howes Percival corporate team is highly experienced and skilled at what they do. I am always pleased to be working with them on corporate finance deals and have complete confidence that our mutual clients will receive a first-class service.’

‘I have worked on numerous corporate finance deals with Oliver Pritchard and Richard Turner over the years and they have always gone above and beyond to help our mutual clients get their deals over the line. They are highly experienced and always very measured and commercial with their advice. They also maintain momentum in contract negotiations, a crucial factor in the success of any deal. I look forward to working with them again in the future and have absolutely no hesitation in recommending their services to others.’

‘Fantastic is simply the only word to describe the team. A privilege to work with and honestly HP are very fortunate to have them representing the business.’

‘So personable and really engaged with me as an individual not solely on the task at hand which I really took to heart and would be the main reason I would always recommend the team and there services to anyone looking for support on any form of corporate transaction.’

‘London quality at regional prices.’

Key clients

Hughes Electrical Limited / Washco Limited


British Marine


Ben Burgess Holdings Limited


Anchor Hanover Group


Desira plc


Key Conveyancing LLP


HSBC


Barclays


Artisan Care Group


RQ Capital Limited


Millnet Limited


Cadman Capital


Netmatters


Roche Partnership


Pruce Newman Group


Falcon Cranes


Stuart Group Ltd / Stuart Plant Ltd


Glazing Vision Group Limited / Glazing Vision Limited


Accentuate Group Ltd / Global Chair


Work highlights


  • Advised the management team of The Hesley Group on the secondary management buyout by Blandford Capital from Antin Infrastructure Partners.
  • Advised the shareholders of GPH on the sale to the Speedy Hire plc group. This was an important transaction within the construction sector as firms seek to find clean energy solutions.
  • Sole legal advisers to the 2023 editions of Southampton International Boat Show and London Luxury Afloat, two of the UK’s most prominent on-water boat shows.

Isadores

Isadores is best known for its work in insolvency matters, but its Norwich-based corporate team continues to grow. Partners Nathan Muskett (who is ‘quietly understated but a nimble thinker‘) and Stephen Ryde-Weller lead on M&A transactional and corporate finance work, and continue to expand the team with notable hires, the lates being managing associate Emma Keen from Berwin Leighton Paisner, who ‘has a quick mind and readily assimilates complex matters‘. ‘This practice has customer service as part of its DNA‘, remarks one client.

Practice head(s):

Nathan Muskett; Stephen Ryde-Weller


Other key lawyers:

Molly Byrne; Lauren Ward; Emma Keen


Testimonials

‘This practice has customer service as part of its DNA. Every interaction is driven by the needs of the client rather than the needs of the process which leads to an altogether different experience when using this company.’

‘Stephen Ryde-Weller is a standout director who never fails to provide a comprehensive view of any situation. Stephen’s attention to detail is second to none and I feel safe in knowing that he is handling business legal matters on my behalf. I wouldn’t consider going anywhere else for his type of legal knowledge.’

‘They are a proactive firm, and understand the “real world”. Personable, professional and knowledgeable.’

‘Nathan Muskett, Molly Byrne, Lauren Ward. All of them have been fantastic at providing practical advice as well as the legal position.’

‘Professional, adaptable, efficient and experienced individuals. In my experience, prompt communication without pompous jargon ensures efficient use of time and clarity.’

‘Nathan Muskett – quietly understated but a nimble thinker. Easy and pleasant to work with. Molly Byrne – very helpful and efficient.’

‘Emma Keen (Managing Associate) has a quick mind and readily assimilates complex matters. Emma is skilled at putting forward commercially practical solutions. She is approachable, efficient, has commendable attention to the detail, and is an excellent communicator, not least when it comes to more technical issues. A pleasure to work with.’

Key clients

Virtuosi F2 Race Team


Roger Gawn


Vanners Silk


P1 Capital


Aura Futures Limited


Untold Gaming


Victorious Festivals


Eljays44


Hadrian Real Estate PLC


Transmit Containers


Bulldog Plant & Equipment Group


Ovamill Group


Vegetable Consultancy Services (VCS) – subsidiary of Agrii plc


Imperial Hotel Great Yarmouth


RPM Communications


N-Ergise


Lord and Lady Huggins


NES Holdings (UK) Limited


Milken Travel


Roveel


Albies Taxis


Great Yarmouth Masonic Association


Hart Capital


Investec


Merchant Finance London


Frictec


Manor Renewable Energy


Online Cleaning Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised the owners of Virtuosi FIA F2 Race Team on its strategic partnership with Invicta Watches and subsequent investment and rebranding to Invicta Racing from the start of the 2024 Race Season.
  • Advised on the sale of RPM Communications to Focus Group.
  • Advised Herbert Johnson Military Limited on the sale of its business to Chargeurs (listed French plc).

Spire Solicitors LLP

Spire Solicitors LLP has a loyal local client base in Norfolk, and is praised for being 'very quick to provide concise and clear advice'. Head of corporate Matthew Downing is 'always very considered and calm in his communication'. Senior associate Abigail Milliken, who focuses on acquisitions and disposals of shares or assets, is 'very capable and friendly'. The commercial team, led by Roger Margand handles all aspects of commercial contracts, partnership agreements and property-based corporate work.

Practice head(s):

Matthew Downing


Other key lawyers:

Abigail Milliken; Roger Margand


Testimonials

‘We have dealt with this firm for over 25 years so that probably tells you a lot about what we think of them. The team is professional, friendly and efficient which is everything we look for in a practice.’

‘We have been clients of Spire since we began our business in 1993 so were pleased that we were able to continue this last stage, the sale of our business with the same Norwich-based firm.’

‘As this is the only time we have been involved in a corporate transaction I am unable to make comparison with competitor. Abigail Milliken was our direct contact supervised by Matt Downing and his team who worked tirelessly on our behalf to ensure that all aspects of the transaction ran smoothly; keeping us regularly updated on progress, often late into the evening.’

Key clients

Gibbs Group Ltd (a subsidiary of Clarkson PLC)


Zaks (UK) Ltd


Flagship Group


Norwich Housing Society Limited


Digital Creative Services (London) Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised Gibb Group Ltd (a subsidiary of Clarkson PLC) on the acquisition of Trauma & Resuscitation Services Limited.
  • Advised the selling shareholders on selling the entire issued share capital of the company to an employee ownership trust.
  • Advised the selling shareholders on the sale of the entire issued share capital of their communications business for circa £3 million.