BHW Solicitors ‘completely understands the clients' needs' and 'always goes above and beyond’, according to one client, and is known in the Leicester market for its specialism in transactions in the aerospace, manufacturing and insurance sectors. Head of corporate Matt Worsnop is a ‘very personable lawyer who has a great ability for putting clients at ease with the often complex transaction process’ and is a strong counterpart to Ed Nurse‘s commercial practice. Alex Clifton, Stephen McElhone and James Dent are recommended for acquisitions, disposals and corporate fundraising. The department continues to be active in Employee Ownership Trust conversion projects, supply chain solutions and commercial contracts.
Corporate and commercial: Elsewhere in East Midlands in East Midlands
BHW Solicitors
Practice head(s):
Matt Worsnop; Ed Nurse
Other key lawyers:
Alex Clifton; James Dent; Stephen McElhone
Testimonials
‘BHW have a brilliant team of skilled and experienced lawyers across all departments of their business. Their Corporate team is led by Matt Worsnop, and we have dealt with many of his colleagues, all of which provide the same high level of responsiveness, expertise and professionalism in service delivery.’
‘The team at BHW are always commercially aware and have a brilliant ability to simplify often complex legal matters for everyone involved in an M&A transaction.’
‘Matt is an exceptional corporate lawyer who has successfully represented many clients on M&A transactions of varying size and complexity over the years. He is a very personable lawyer who has a great ability for putting clients at ease with the often complex transaction process. He is exceptional at simplifying legal matters so sellers can make sensible decisions with absolute confidence and peace of mind. He is responsive and always available to both ourselves and our clients.’
‘Ed Nurse – highly accomplished in his area of expertise with the added benefit that he understands a lot of the accounts/tax implications surrounding the M&A type work he is involved in.’
‘They completely understand the clients’ needs, proper personal service and always go above and beyond.’
‘Partner-led advice from highly experienced team which offers excellent advice with a keen eye on commerciality. Always take the time to ensure clients understand their matter and guide them through an often complex journey to completion of the transaction.’
‘Ed Nurse, Alex Clifton and James Dent are extremely knowledgeable, approachable and determined to get a good result for their client.’
‘Always willing to go the extra mile, nothing is ever too much trouble.’
Key clients
Correlation Investments Limited
Lavendon Group Limited
Gardner Group Limited
Oadby Plastics Limited
BPX Group Limited
NatWest Bank Plc
Nationwide Platforms Limited
Animal Friends Insurance Services Limited
HSBC Bank Plc
KCT Holdings Limited
Technicut Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Correlation One Holdings on its third round of investment into veterinary technology company Vet-AI.
- Advised SML Group in respect of its purchase of the entire issued share capital of My Home Needs.
- Advised BPX Group in relation to the acquisition of Control Components (Anglia).
HCR Hewitsons
‘Exceptionally knowledgeable across multiple topics‘, HCR Hewitsons advises across the full spectrum of corporate and commercial matters, with a niche in IP, IT and commercial contracts, and particular knowledge of the health and social care sectors. David Browne advises on mergers, disposals, acquisitions and group reorganisations. Neil Harpham has over 25 years' experience in company and business acquisitions and disposals, group reorganisations, representing both public and private companies from start-ups to publicly traded multinational corporations. Previously head of corporate at DFA Law, David Davies joined in September 2022 and brings his prior experience working in Central and Eastern Europe to cross-border transactions.
Practice head(s):
David Browne
Other key lawyers:
David Davies; Neil Harpham
Testimonials
‘The team are exceptionally knowledgeable across multiple topics and their speed of response is always second to none.’
‘The individuals I have dealt with at Hewitsons are always personable, responsive, understanding and inquisitive. They are also pragmatic when required.’
‘The corporate team, specifically David Davies, have provided good detailed advice on some challenging tax led structures. The team on the whole are well briefed, and so it makes little difference who replies to questions / queries. As always, I look for London quality advice in the provincial firms and HCR fulfill this requirement entirely.’
‘David Davies in particular has knowledge of structures that may in some circumstances be a challenge for non-specialised corporate lawyers. This makes David and HCR a prime choice. David ensures that work is completed at the earliest possible opportunity, and with the work being close to the intended structure on first draft. This only comes with an exceptional depth of knowledge.’
‘Neil Harpham was superb.’
‘David Browne: He uses his intimate knowledge of our business acquired over many years to provide sound, realistic and measured legal advice.’
‘Very responsive and prompt with work, particularly when timescales and project deadlines are approaching. This level of responsiveness was extremely reassuring and provides a positive, engaging and pleasant client experience. Good communication within the firm across different teams.’
Key clients
Perrys Motor Sales Limited
Medigold Health Consultancy Limited
Anglotech Group Holdings Limited
Anglotech Solutions
Limited
Hi-Force Limited
Biogen (UK) Limited
Homes England
Fencor Packaging Group Limited
AA Thornton IP LLP
A.A. Thornton & Co
Work highlights
- Advised Northamptonshire Sport on a commercial collaboration for the build, design and operation of a brand new mountain bike park, converted from a previous golf course.
- Acting for the shareholders on the sale of their shares in Trustee Limited and Trustee Matters Limited to Swiss-based company Zedra.
- Advised a client on the conversion of the partnership into a limited liability partnership.
Howes Percival LLP
Howes Percival LLP‘s recently restructured collective corporate, commercial and banking practice is led by Jahid Ali and Paula Dumbill in Leicester, head of corporate and commercial, respectively, supported by Northampton-based corporate partner Matthew Thompson, who leads on mid-market M&A transactions. Gerald Couldrake is another prominent practitioner in the same office. Ali continues to be active in corporate M&A, venture capital and private equity transactions, while Dumbill is recognised for her expertise in commercial contracts and IT projects. Promoted to partner in May 2022, Katherine Cereghino advises on M&A, corporate governance and commercial contract issues. Senior associate Miles Barnes is highlighted for his ‘standout knowledge, output and communication‘.
Practice head(s):
Jahid Ali; Matthew Thompson; Paula Dumbill
Other key lawyers:
Gerald Couldrake; Katherine Cereghino; Miles Barnes
Testimonials
‘Howes Percival are an excellent law firm we have used many times over the years. There is a high-caliber team, who fully understand our requirements and support us in the best way.’
‘The team is excellent. They come with my strongest recommendation. Always available, always excellent advice.’
‘Matt Thompson and Gerald Couldrake provided a warm, personal service but also demonstrated a high level of technical expertise which was reassuring throughout our business sale process.’
‘Miles Barns is an excellent Senior Associate. His knowledge, output and communication are stand out qualities.’
‘Tremendously commercial and strategic. Calm heads and supreme attention to detail. I can be confident nothing is slipping through the net. They are a first class team.’
‘They’re just a fantastic group of individuals. One of the things I like the most is that the quality is always excellent no matter who I deal with.’
Key clients
Foresight Capital
Mercia Capital
Connells Limited
Bell Plantation
E-Bate Limited
Milestone Communications
Retourmatras UK Ltd
Shareholders of O’Donovan Waste Disposal Limited
Shareholders of Cave and Sons Investments
Cinch Cars
De Montfort University
Work highlights
- Advised specialist Dutch recycling business RetourMatras on its investment into The Furniture Recycling Group (the UK’s largest mattress recycling business).
- Acted for Cinch Cars in negotiating and agreeing its sponsorship agreements with Premier League team Crystal Palace Football Club.
- Acted for the shareholders of Cave and Sons on their partial sale to MHA Macintyre Hudson, which purchased a majority shareholding in the business.
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Shakespeare Martineau LLP maintains its well-earned reputation for acquisitions, dispositions and reorganisations up to £100m. Automotive and aerospace, healthcare and IT are among its key sector specialisms. In Leicester, Roy Botterill has over 25 years’ experience assisting owner-managed businesses with sales and business purchases and advising on their internal structures and strategy. He is particularly skilled in dealing with corporations based in France and the US. Lisa Botterill has developed a specialism in healthcare and social care transactions. Michael Squirrell in Lincoln is another key corporate partner.
Practice head(s):
Roy Botterill
Other key lawyers:
Lisa Botterill; Michael Squirrell
Testimonials
‘A great multi-disciplinary team with a can-do attitude.’
‘Roy Botterill is the stand-out partner for me.’
Key clients
WBR Group (formerly Westbridge Tax)
Shield Engineering Group
Mindera
Langdale Group
Work highlights
- Advised The Langdale Care Group on its acquisition of the Woodlands nursing home based in Chesterfield.
- Advised WBR Group on the purchase of SSAS business (3,500 client SSAS schemes with investment value of over £7bn) from Rowanmoor Executive Pensions.
- Acted for the shareholders of Orchards House on the sale of a care home group.
Freeths LLP
Distinguished for its healthcare and care sector-focused offering, Freeths LLP‘s practice is headed by corporate partners Thomas Golding in Nottingham and Phil Baigent in Leicester. Baigent has over 20 years of experience advising sellers and buyers, banks, REITs, mid-market SMEs and management teams in the care sector.
Practice head(s):
Thomas Golding; Phil Baigent
Testimonials
‘Very knowledgeable in the care sector. Approachable. Good value. Provide real solutions to issues that are both pragmatic and realistic. As a team, well rounded and experienced.’
‘Phil Baigent: Very good corporate lawyer and great with detail.’
Key clients
Anchor Hanover Group
Boutique Care Homes
LNT Group
Country Court Care Group
Shawbrook Bank Limited
Optimo Care Group Limited
Maria Mallaband Care Group
Lawrence Baker Group
Sandstone Care Group
Belmont Healthcare Group
Work highlights
- Advised Optimo Care Group (via its subsidiary, Optimo (SL Holdco)) in relation to the acquisition of the entire issue share capital of My Life Choice.
- Advising on a new investment framework with Impact Healthcare REIT for a portfolio of care homes, involving the sale and leaseback of one asset via a corporate sale of the ‘propco’ and acquisition of another.
- Acted for one of the largest UK care home developers on the nine-figure sale of eight development sites with the benefit of planning permission for the construction of a care home on each site.
Sills & Betteridge LLP
Displaying ‘superb professionalism‘, Sills & Betteridge LLP has seen a substantial increase in transactions in the financial services and technology sectors. James Conduit heads the corporate and commercial team and is sought after for share and asset sales and purchases, cross-border transactions, corporate finance and s.110 restructurings. He has also developed an interest in the digital and renewable energy sectors. For cross-border M&A, Martin Walsh is recommended, particularly for US-based clients. Euan McLaughlin brings complementary expertise in commercial contracts.
Practice head(s):
James Conduit
Other key lawyers:
Martin Walsh; Euan McLaughlin
Testimonials
‘We have been very pleased with the service we have received from Sills & Betteridge for our commercial business transactions. They have offered a prompt service, scaled their team to handle the transactions in the time frame required when the scope of the work increased unexpectedly to deliver the business on time. The communication has always been excellent, with full availability of the team. ‘
‘James Conduit is very easy to work with and communicate. While providing us with a full legal opinion in a clear and succinct manner, the team have also become familiar with our style of business and preferred method of working and have made the process very simple and efficient.’
‘Superb professionalism.’
Key clients
Active8 Managed Technologies Limited
Ballet Makers Europe Limited
Beaphar BV
Chandlers (Farm Machinery) Limited
Clydesdale Bank PLC
Hemswell Estates Limited
HFL Financial Advisers
Lincoln College Group
Micronclean Limited
NerG Ltd/ NERG Holdings Ltd
Omex Agriculture Limited
SHD Group
Sleeping Disorders Centre Group
The Burdens Group
Turnbull & Co Limited
Work highlights
- Acted for the shareholders in their sale of The Elms Retirement Park to Cove Communities, a group based in Canada.
- Advised US company Sentry Aerospace Corporation on its merger with Aerospares 2000.
- Advised Chandlers (Farm Equipment) on its acquisition of the business and assets of Ross Farm Machinery.
Chattertons
Focusing largely on corporate transactions, Chattertons‘ key partner, the Newark-based Adam Gilbert advises private companies across various sectors on M&A, MBOs, disposals and restructurings. The team's commercial offering continues to be sought after by in-house legal and procurement teams.
Practice head(s):
Adam Gilbert
Testimonials
‘Adam Gilbert runs a very good team. I work with a number of other corporate law teams and Adam and his team is right up there in terms of quality.’
‘Adam in particular is a very strong corporate lawyer, he is knowledgeable and experienced and has good communication skills.’
‘Reasonably priced for the services that they provide.’
Key clients
Larkfleet Group Limited
Prominent Fluid Controls UK Limited
Commercial Limited
Anemoi Marine Technologies Limited
Simpatica Group Limited
Abzorb Systems Limited
ACT National Limited
Wonderland Agency Limited
Work highlights
- Advised the shareholders of an insurance company on the sale of their shares to Jensten.
- Advised the shareholders on the sale of their shares to Cadogan Tate Group.
Nelsons Solicitors Limited
Alice Rees is the lead partner in Nelsons Solicitors Limited‘s East Midlands practice, focusing on acquisitions, disposals, mergers, restructurings, management buy-outs and company formations. Director Ziaur Rahman is also noted for corporate lending and security, joint venture agreements, Employee Ownership Trusts, and charity and third sector matters.
Practice head(s):
Alice Rees
Other key lawyers:
Ziaur Rahman; Palbir Vadesha; Duncan Taylor
Testimonials
‘Alice Rees heads the Nelsons Corporate and Commercial Team. She is the go to Corporate Lawyer for a number of intermediaries, other law firms, certain sectors and leads and manages her transactional teams well. Ziaur Rahman is very experienced and very commercial. Duncan Taylor is a fantastic Corporate lawyer. Calm, knowledgeable, gives clear advice and well respected. Palbir Vadesha is a great support to Ziaur Rahman but also deals with and manages transactions herself. She works hard for her client, is thorough and definitely one to watch.’
‘Ziaur Rahman is supremely efficient and competent.’
‘Nelsons have carried out over the past two years a number of complex transactions for my clients and we were always comforted to know that the work they carried out was to the highest standard.’
Work highlights
- Advised individual clients on the asset purchase of a well-known Italian restaurant based in Leicestershire, Ferraris Trattoria.
Roythornes Solicitors
At Roythornes Solicitors, Mike Matthews and practice head Martin Jinks are the lead partners on M&A transactions, private equity and management buyouts, while Lizzie Walters handles demergers, investment rounds, joint ventures and group reorganisations.
Practice head(s):
Martin Jinks
Other key lawyers:
Mike Matthews; Lizzie Walters
Testimonials
‘Mike was excellent throughout, friendly, professional and thorough, which gave me confidence in the service I was being given.’
‘Unique breadth of knowledge. I have not dealt with another legal firm who work so transparently, with all outcomes being targetted towards the benefit of the client.’
‘Lizzie Walters steered our business through a number of very complex transactions in a very efficient manner. We were delighted with the outcome that she achieved for us and would strongly recommend her to any business for their legal planning.’
‘Mike Matthews and his team are responsive, hardworking and skilled on a wide range of M&A matters. They have a good reputation across the East of England and are a strong firm in South Lincs and Peterborough.’
‘Mike Matthews is a corporate partner of the highest quality and is supported by a proficient team. Mike is personable and skilled at getting to the source of potential deal issues quickly, finding good quality solutions to ensure clients receive exceptional advice.’
Key clients
Ceres Rural LLP
TC Bulley Davey Limited
BA Bush & Son Limited
FESA (UK) Limited
Peterborough Renewable Energy Limited
Frontier Agriculture Limited
Pigeon Investment Management Limited
Majestic Bingo Limited
Inivos Scientific Limited
Work highlights
- Advised the shareholders of Naylor Nutrition Group on the creation of a joint venture company and all accompanying legal issues.
- Advised shareholders of Amasha in relation to a restructuring following the sale of shares by one of the shareholders in Amasha to Melosch Export.
- Acted for the holding company in the sale of its shares in Opals UK to OCU Group.
Wilkin Chapman LLP
Wilkin Chapman LLP‘s group is led by Ian Sherburn in Grimsby; the practice remains active in company sales and acquisitions and in drafting and negotiating complex, long-term and high-value commercial agreements. It is particularly popular among medium-sized enterprises and owner-managed businesses. A key partner in Lincoln, Russell Eke is an expert in the energy sector, focusing on corporate reorganisations, management buy-outs and refinancing transactions. Ed Capes is another recommended lawyer for M&A.
Practice head(s):
Ian Sherburn
Other key lawyers:
Russell Eke; Ed Capes; Limara Rickell
Testimonials
‘Everyone at Wilkin Chapman worked harder and longer than they were contracted to. This level of commitment and hard work delivered the sale. They are a truly exceptional team and in 30 years of business I can genuinely say I wish I had met them earlier in my business career. ‘
‘The team at Wilkin Chapman delivered on all fronts. They ensured not a single penny was deducted from the other side in the due diligence process, batting back many queries from the other side and also managed me, the owner, through the process every day.’
‘Ed Capes and his advice and knowledge made the whole process as easy as possible. I have never known a solicitor who is always available to take your calls – but Ed always was or called back as soon as possible. Great service.’
Key clients
Darabeto Holdings Limited
Prax Group
Card Industry Professionals Limited
Harvest Energy Limited
Bimsense Limited
Exceed Learning Partnership
Horizon Academy Trust
Tong Engineering Limited
Unitas Wholesale Limited
Previsico Limited
Mizkan Euro Limited
Yara UK Limited
Work highlights
- Advising Darabeto Holdings on the simultaneous corporate sale of both Wise Robotics (UK) and Wise Software (UK) to Forterro UK.
- Advising Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery in respect of a licensor agreement relating to its well-publicised carbon capture project and drafting and negotiating commercial agreements.
- Advising Card Industry Professionals in respect of the equity investment made by Northern Powerhouse Investment Funds, which acted by its fund manager Mercia Asset Management.
Wilson Browne Solicitors
Wilson Browne Solicitors is known in the Northamptonshire market for its work in company acquisitions and disposals, restructurings, and the drafting of commercial contracts, employee share options, equity investments and joint venture agreements. The firm has a strong following among local charities and education providers. Practice head Duncan Crowther, Holly Threlfall and Andrew Kerr are the key partners.
Practice head(s):
Duncan Crowther
Other key lawyers:
Holly Threlfall; Andrew Kerr
Testimonials
‘A very professional but personable approach to legal matters.’
‘Professional in their attitude. When assistants are brought in to support getting things done you feel confident in their ability and they are always smart and friendly. We had a very good experience and would not hesitate to use Wilson Browne Solicitors again or indeed recommend them.’
‘Andrew Kerr is the partner we always contact and we have found him to be courteous and effective. Andrew and his team have been of great service.’
Key clients
Grove Engineering Services Limited
Woodley Holdings Limited
County Lifting Services Limited
Pragmatiq Solutions Limited
Midland Stone Centre Limited
EB Designs Limited
Cooney Marine International Limited
D Robinson & Co Limited
Kori Construction (Holdings) Limited
Work highlights
- Advised the selling shareholders Technomation and Megnajet in the sale of the entire issued share capital of two associated companies to a listed PLC buyer.
- Advised the sole shareholder of a large manufacturing company in a complex group restructuring transaction as a preliminary step in a subsequent partial management buyout.
- Advised the selling shareholders on the sale of the entire issued share capital of a large window manufacturing company to a UK group.