Next Generation Lawyers (region-wide)

Corporate and commercial: Nottingham and Derby in East Midlands

Browne Jacobson LLP

Richard Cox heads the corporate team at Browne Jacobson LLP, drawing on over 25 years of experience in M&A and private equity deals, often with an international element. He recently advised Midlands private equity firm Lloyds Development Capital on its investment in Stonbury, a specialist in water and environmental sustainability. Head of private equity and corporate finance lawyer Gavin Cummings is an experienced counsel for management and equity providers in buyouts and international M&A. Also recommended is Nigel Blackwell, experienced in management buyouts/ins and trade sales and acquisitions. Mark Hughes, Sandra Wong and senior associate Sian Rose are other key figures in the highly acclaimed group.

Practice head(s):

Richard Cox


Other key lawyers:

Gavin Cummings; Nigel Blackwell; Mark Hughes; Sandra Wong; Sian Rose


Key clients

Pure Gym


Bridge Farm Group


Compleat Food Group (formerly Addo Food Group)


Blue Light Card Limited


Cooper Parry


CARE Fertility Group


Apiary Capital Partners


BCF Equity Partners


Mortgage and Surveying Services (formerly SDL Property Services Group)


Belvoir Lettings plc


Lloyds Development Capital (LDC)


Rcapital Partners LLP


Hay Wain Group


Foresight Group LLP


Connect Managed Services group


The Edwin Group Limited


MI Hub Limited


Littlefish


Work highlights


  • Acted for the individual sellers and management team of CARE Fertility Holdings on the buyout of CARE Fertility by Nordic Capital from Silverfleet Capital.
  • Acted for the shareholders of LF (Holdco) (the ultimate parent company of Little Fish), including the existing investor LDC, on the sale of the business to Bowmark Capital, a London-based private equity firm.
  • Acted for the shareholders of Charles Pugh (Holdings) Limited, the parent company of Charles Pugh (Glass) Limited, on its sale.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP

Led by the ‘extremely approachable’ and ‘commercially astute’ Jon Cox-Brown, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP’s team advises the region’s fastest-growing corporates on high-end transactions; a recent example included its advice on the £415m sale of Albumedix to Frankfurt and Paris-listed life sciences company Sartorius. Transactions in the financial services, technology and healthcare sectors comprise the bulk of the department’s instructions. Cox-Brown also advises on fundraisings, joint ventures and reorganisations.


Practice head(s):

Jon Cox-Brown


Testimonials

The team has extensive experience in cross-border M&A and has a global network of advisors to provide specialist and jurisdictional advice as required. The team coordinate the network of advisors to ensure legal advice is joined-up, deal specific and commercially focused.’

‘Jon Cox-Brown stands out for his commercially focused advice, unwavering negotiation style and proactively finding solutions when faced with complex deal negotiations.’

‘The team are technically very capable and have a very strong understanding of our business. Between projects, they tailor regular news updates to provide updates that are specific to the nature of our business and are clearly always thinking of ways to add value. Always provide a first-rate service at all levels from partners to associates.’

‘Jon Cox-Brown has a longstanding relationship with our business and in many ways feels like an extension of our internal legal team. Jon has a very strong understanding of our business and is both technically very capable and commercially very astute. He takes a pragmatic approach to our projects and is very approachable and available. ‘

‘Jon Cox-Brown is so approachable and has become the main contact for all areas. Jon will step in to ensure consistent quality.’

‘Jon Cox-Brown is an extremely approachable and engaged partner and you can tell he has a great relationship with his team. He always strikes the right balance between sound legal advice and commerciality.’

Key clients

Ideagen


Sygnature Discovery


Albumedix


IRIS Software


ENSEK


Capita


Acacium


Management team of Blis Global


Work highlights


  • Advised on the acquisition of Peak Proteins by Sygnature Discovery.
  • Advised Capita on the sale of technology business Secure Solutions and Services to NEC Software Solutions UK.
  • Advised the management shareholders on the sale of Forest Holidays from Phoenix to Sykes Holiday Cottages.

Freeths LLP

Freeths LLP has a strong track record in financial services transactions, and has deepened its specialism with instructions from various regional players, including The Beckett Investment Management Group (BIMG). Highly regarded practice head John Heaphy is the go-to practitioner for M&A, commercial contracts, private equity and restructuring. Mallory Coxe left the team to join Wright Hassall LLP in July 2023.

Practice head(s):

John Heaphy


Testimonials

‘They are very user friendly and establish good relationships with all sides of a transaction very quickly. There is a clearly joined up use of cross-discipline teams and an impressive full-service offering.’

‘My experience with the Corporate Team has been one of engaging with individuals who have specific skills and experience in specialist areas, and of working together, acting collaboratively and collectively for the client.’

‘John Heaphy – cares passionately about get the right outcome for the client. But never forgets that sometimes a bit of humour can be very effective in breaking down barriers.’

‘John Heaphy is a very pragmatic and commercial lawyer who uses his experience and expertise to add value to transactions. ‘

Key clients

Costello, Pinkney and Hart


The Beckett Investment Management Group Limited (BIMG)


The Way Ahead Group Limited


Bio Dynamic (UK) Limited


The Reflex Group Limited


Work highlights


  • Acted for the shareholders of Paycircle on the sale of its entire issued share capital to Access UK, which included complex earn-out provisions and a retention.
  • Advised the Way Ahead Group on the acquisition of the entire share capital of EA Online Manual from three individual shareholders.
  • Acted for The Beckett Investment Management Group on the acquisition of certain clients from the wealth management business carried on by Brown Shipley & Co.

Shoosmiths LLP

A powerhouse in the Midlands, Shoosmiths LLP boasts an impressive client base comprised of private and public companies, private equity houses and venture capital investors based throughout the UK and overseas. Crispin Bridges Webb is ‘incredibly knowledgeable‘ in his specialist areas of M&A, joint ventures, capital fundraisings and reductions, restructurings, compliance and corporate governance. Commercial contracts expert Michelle Craven-Faulkner stands out for her knowledge of rail, engineering and renewable energy supply chains and commercial ventures. Senior associate Ania Vernon is noted for private equity investments, exits and M&A.


Practice head(s):

Crispin Bridges Webb; Michelle Craven-Faulkner


Other key lawyers:

Ania Vernon


Testimonials

‘The team offer tailored advice and insights having understood their clients in a level of detail often not seen from other firms. They mix the use of technology (AI), collaboration across the team, and a responsive nature at all times, to create a great offering.’

‘Michelle Craven-Faulkner has a very good knowledge of the industry. We have with her and her team a long-standing trustful cooperation. They are very flexible and adjust quickly to new situatons.’

‘The people and their professionalism have been outstanding and have stood out when working against other solicitors on contractual matters, mergers and acquisitions, property and HR, to list a few areas where their expertise has proved to be of great value to me.’

‘Over many years Crispin Bridges-Webb has been of enormous help in several M&A transactions. Crispin is incredibly knowledgeable in these matters but is able to convey any complexities in language that is easy to understand. When a different discipline is required, Crispin has in all cases referred me to one of his specialist colleagues all of whom have delivered the same, excellent service.’

‘Michelle Craven-Faulkner works to our tight deadlines and produces a quality product. She has a positive approach with clear explanations of the technical issues’

‘Always looking for ways to resolve deal hurdles through innovative tools, in particular Crispin Bridges Webb.’

Key clients

EAV Group


Etag Fixings


Alcadon Group


Addtech Nordic


CECO Environmental


Livingbridge


Frasers Group


World Duty Free


GXO Logistics


Acaster Lloyd Consulting Ltd


Bramble Foods Group Limited


Henkel


Hoover


Jaguar Land Rover


OneSpray Limited


Deliveroo


Spamhaus Technology Ltd


INIT Innovations in Transport


Civica UK Limited


Saint-Gobain Weber Limited


Elite KL Limited


Sperry Rail (International) Limited


W H Davis Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised Foresight Group on the disposal of TFC Europe (a supplier of technical fasteners across Europe) to US-based AFC Industries.
  • Advised Swedish-listed Alcadon Group on the acquisition of Networks Centre Group, a leading network infrastructure group.
  • Advised and supported a transport solutions business in relation to its tender for a significant contract award with Transport for London.

Flint Bishop LLP

Flint Bishop LLP regularly handles M&A transactions in the range of £5m to £50m involving listed companies, SMEs and owner-managed businesses, and is also instructed by regional accountants on corporate restructuring transactions. Head of the corporate team Martyn Brierley is sought after in the Midlands for his expertise in drafting and negotiating joint ventures, lending and security agreements, as well as M&A transactions. Commercial partner Haroon Younis is active in transactions in the technology and logistics sectors.

Practice head(s):

Martyn Brierley; Haroon Younis


Testimonials

‘Key members of the team are always available, often at short-notice and the Senior Partner provides one point of contact that leads into colleagues as additional expertise is required.’

‘Haroon Younis has taken the time to understand our business and feels part of our team.’

‘We have dealt with Martyn Brierly, Head of Corporate & Finance, for a number of years. Martyn has a depth of understanding of our business that enables sound decisions to be made in a timely manner. In addition, he is able to explain clearly in non-legal terms, exactly how things are and meetings are always a pleasure to be part of.’

Key clients

The Compliance Office


Aptech Business Systems Limited


Smith Cooper


Hentons


Owner Venture Managers


Infotec Limited


Peveril Securities


Work highlights


  • Advised on the sale of Therapy Equipment, a leader in the medical gas control market for suction and oxygen equipment, to ESAB Corporation.
  • Advised the shareholder on the £8.7m sale of Infotec to AIM-listed company Journeo.
  • Provided Aptech Business Systems with legal and strategic advice for Aptech’s second acquisition in the UK, of Blue Rock Systems Group.

Gateley Legal

Maintaing its busy corporate and commercial practice, Gateley Legal specialises in private equity, M&A, Employee Ownership Trusts, as well as joint ventures, refinancings and general corporate advisory. The team is led by Beth Mather, ‘an excellent technical lawyer‘ in M&A, buyouts and disposals, with a focus on private equity, with the support of corporate finance partner Mark Rutherford and head of corporate Victoria Elliott.

Practice head(s):

Beth Mather


Other key lawyers:

Mark Rutherford; Victoria Elliott


Testimonials

‘Down to earth and commercial team with a focus on client delivery. Always available and supportive with a wide network that they are happy to share.’

‘Beth Mather is our main point of contact. She is hard working and very client focused. Willing to go the extra mile and an excellent technical lawyer.’

‘Breadth and depth of knowledge, specialist expertise and contact base coupled with a relationship-driven practical and commercial approach.’

‘Partners have a clear, open and “keep it simple” approach to advice – making highly complex issues understandable.’

‘Mark Rutherford is especially strong in giving very clear concise advice but in a practical “real world” manner which gets to the crux of issues very quickly – also very responsive and hard working, building great relationships.’

Key clients

LDC


BGF


Palatine


Connection Capital LLP


Foresight


Troy (UK) Limited


United Tooling Solutions Limited


Peppermint Technology Holdings Limited


Premier Paper Group Limited


Aquavista Watersides Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised Mode Solution on the acquisition of Cambridgeshire-based managed services provider EACS.
  • Advised buyer United Tooling Solutions in the acquisition of three separate entities; Nuts & Bolts Limited, Mettex Fasteners Limited & Fastfix Bristol Limited.
  • Acting for management on the debt and vendor-funded management buyout of Moore Large & Co.

Geldards LLP

Noted for its expertise in private equity transactions, Geldards LLP‘s team, under the leadership of Debra Martin, advises several investee companies on investments from business angels and institutional investors. The practice also continues to develop its healthcare and rail M&A offering, handling new acquisition and disposal instructions from regional start-ups and others. Peter Seary has developed a notable practice in transactions and commercial agreements in the food and drink, manufacturing and pharmaceutical sectors. Head of the commercial department Jamie Goldberg and corporate partner Paul Feenan are also noted.


Practice head(s):

Debra Martin; Jamie Goldberg


Other key lawyers:

Peter Seary; Paul Feenan


Key clients

The Bama Companies, Inc


Sunridge Partners


EMB-Group Limited


Work highlights


  • Undertaking a complex cross-border merger for Wrekin Group.
  • Acting for local company EMB-Group on its acquisition of Pye Tait.
  • Advised ASmallWorld (a company listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange) on a partnership agreement with the operator of GHA DISCOVERY, a loyalty programme for independent hotel brands.

Nelsons Solicitors Limited

Focusing largely on owner-managed businesses and SMEs in the Midlands, Nelsons Solicitors Limited provides a combination of ‘professional service with the ability to cover a breadth of legal matters’. Corporate heads Duncan Taylor in Nottingham and David Kaplan in Derby are well-known figures in the market for all manner of corporate transactions. Alice Rees, Emma Toes and senior associate Liz Mills are noted for acquisitions and disposals, shareholders’ agreements and restructuring work.


Practice head(s):

Duncan Taylor; David Kaplan; Emma Toes


Other key lawyers:

Alice Rees; Liz Mills


Testimonials

‘David Kaplan and Liz Mills looked after the needs of our small business very well, and were available out of hours if required and prepared to go the extra mile to ensure we had the right support. When other areas of legal work were required they brought on board the experts we needed at the time. I think the approach was very flexible and a great deal of empathy was also shown.’

‘David Kaplan and Liz Mills in my view went way beyond the call of duty. Ensuring that we knew exactly what was happening, and even calling late into the evening and meeting during a weekend to keep things moving. I felt they really cared about us and our transaction, and they dealt with honesty and integrity throughout.’

‘Blend of personal service professionally delivered and able to cover a breadth of legal matters.’

‘David Kaplan – Quickly gets to the key issues. Applies commercial aptitude to legal work, solutions not problems.’

Key clients

Rushcliffe Care Limited


CSB Holdings


Shareholders of Amerol Limited


Construction Industry Solutions Limited


Shareholders of Witham Valley Care Group Limited


Prime Life Limited


East Midlands Central Station Limited


Work highlights


  • Assisted with the corporate reorganisation of Rushcliffe Care.
  • Advised on the sale of Construction Industry Solutions (COINS) and its subsidiaries and COINS US Group Corp to the Access Group.
  • Advised Construction Indutry Solutions on the acquisition of Assettagz, a developer of software to manage assets across multiple industry sectors.

Shakespeare Martineau LLP

Shakespeare Martineau LLP is well versed in sales, acquisitions and reorganisations between £1m and £50m, and continues to develop its specialist market expertise in sectors including life sciences, education, energy, IT and manufacturing. On the corporate side, Duncan James has developed a following among family-run companies, and is the practice co-head alongside Ed Wright, a commercial contracts and IT and IP specialist. Head of Nottingham office Roger Harcourt advises clients primarily in the healthcare and social care sectors on corporate transactions, governance and funding issues.

Practice head(s):

Duncan James; Ed Wright


Other key lawyers:

Roger Harcourt


Key clients

Kiwa Holdings (UK) Limited


Tecserv


Shareholders of FBC Limited


Shareholders of Mylocummanager


Shareholders of Woodleigh Christian Care Home Group


Astradent


Recresco


Work highlights


  • Acted for Kiwa Holdings UK on its acquisition of R.N. Electronics.
  • Advised the shareholders of FBC on the sale of a care home group.
  • Supported Tecserv with the completion of an Employee Ownership Trust.

Actons

Peter Flowerday is the practice head at Actons, which primarily acts for owner-managed businesses and SMEs on acquisitions and disposals, joint venture agreements, reorganisations and numerous shareholders’ agreements. Firm chairman Simon Dakin is another key contact for a broad range of corporate transactions.

Practice head(s):

Peter Flowerday


Other key lawyers:

Simon Dakin; Thomas Butcher


Testimonials

‘High quality of knowledge and experience. Easy to contact and discuss issues with professionalism and a can do approach across the team.’

‘Peter Flowerday quickly assimilated what I required, provided a competitive cost indication and adhered to a fairly tight timescale. Advice and information provided was comprehensive and extremely valuable. These key points set them apart.’

‘From initial contact through to completion the communication was prompt and professional. Throughout the whole process I felt valued as a client.’

Key clients

EIDO Healthcare Ltd


Prima Solutions Ltd


Bruton Knowles LLP


Zeel Solutions Ltd


Peter Cook Ltd


Nest Management Ltd


The Palfreymans Ltd


Holden Copley Ltd


Prestige Aggregates Group Ltd


L.A.C. Conveyor Systems Ltd


Riva Pearl Holdings Ltd


PLM Global Ltd


Nexa Finance Ltd


Wynbrook Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised a private company owner on the sale of Hopkinson Waste Group to Highgate Capital BC.
  • Advised PLM Global Holdings on its acquisition of PLM Global.
  • Advised Prestige Aggregates on its acquisition of Stones4Homes.

Smith Partnership

‘Quick, clear, prompt and above all strong in advice,’ Smith Partnership focuses on M&A and corporate transactions in the £5 to £25m range. Fraser Cunningham is highly experienced in restructuring work, and together with associate Gemma Brown advises on a broad range of commercial contracts. Brown is the main contact for companies selling to Employee Ownership Trusts.

Practice head(s):

Fraser Cunningham


Other key lawyers:

Gemma Brown


Testimonials

‘Smith Partnership really care. They provide a personal excellent service to the business. Their communication is always second to none.’

‘They are quick, clear, prompt and above all strong in advice that they know works with my business style and progress pace I like to make. No matter how urgent my needs, they never fail to deliver with the attention and detail you’d expect from a long term project. I really cannot say enough good things about them. Always willing to listen, collaborate and find a solution that works. The team are there to promptly solve my isuses, and with a very very fair price.’

‘Fraser Cunnigham is quick to respond, managing my knowledge levels and solving my issues with a sense of understanding I have never before witnessed. The team at Smith Partnership just deliver, and Fraser is always at the forefront of delivering, and more. He just gets it, and that’s rare.’

Key clients

Champions (UK) Plc


Ascott Transport Limited


Recruitment Investments Limited


Yellow Rail Limited


PC Certificates Limited


Huub Limited


Spirit Medical Limited


Axillium Consulting Limited


Bear Coffee Company Limited


Work Wallet Limited


Green 2 K Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised the shareholders on the sale of Box Holdings (Bham) to Tactus Holdings.
  • Advised the shareholders on the sale of Rammsanderson Group.
  • Advised the shareholders on the sale of Bridgford Interiors to an EOT.