With ‘the best blend of sector specialism, technical aptitude and personal approach available in the North East’, Muckle LLP’s corporate department advises on the region's notable transactions; it recently advised Kitwave Group on its admission to the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange. The firm also fields distinct commercial and corporate finance teams, and the practice is a go-to name in the region for private equity houses. Andrew Davison and Alex Craig lead the corporate and commercial teams respectively, and clients single out the ‘very calm and pragmatic’ Adam Rayner and ‘go-to individual’ Matthew Walsh for praise. Other key names include Philip Clare, corporate finance specialist Anthony Evans and public company expert Sarah Forster.
Corporate and commercial: Newcastle in North
Muckle LLP
Practice head(s):
Andrew Davison; Alex Craig
Other key lawyers:
Adam Rayner; Matthew Walsh; Philip Clare; Anthony Evans; Sarah Forster; Stuart Grieve; Stephanie Brown
Testimonials
‘We work with the corporate team. The firm is responsive. Advice is straightforward, understandable and offers solutions.’
‘We have worked mainly with Adam Rayner. He picks the transaction up and runs with it. I know he’s a safe pair of hands and will reach a sensible position while keeping us informed. He is responsive and understands our needs well (having done a few transactions for us).’
‘The seamless interaction of the various teams at Muckle was a key strength. The corporate team led the project, bringing in various other departments at relevant times. Each person within the corporate team and other departments seemed to be well briefed on the wider context to the project and how their input fit within that, which meant that we didn’t need to repeat information to anyone.’
‘Adam Raynor as partner adopted a very calm and pragmatic approach to the project, focusing on key issues at all times and coordinating his team well. His negotiation with counterparties was productive and solution-orientated, which meant that all key points were addressed efficiently. His style often meant that he took the lead by default in key meetings, even if that hadn’t been assigned to him, but this was done in an unassuming and collaborative way.’
‘A long-standing relationship that has evolved and deepened as our businesses and requirements have grown more complex. Key individuals that can be relied upon to be responsive and commercial. An extension to our internal team who truly understand our business and how we work – in our experience the best blend of sector specialism, technical aptitude and personable approach available in the North East.’
‘Matthew Walsh – Partner. Our go-to individual for structural and transactional advice. His ability to work with our wider team and deliver successful outcomes gives us a stand-out competitive edge that we can rely on. Able to go toe-to-toe with National firms and consistently identify solutions to complex challenges.’
‘The team is very efficient and also has a very personal touch. The team are always on hand to deal with any issues and do so in a very personal manner.’
‘Philip Clare – Excellent knowledge and commercial approach, very friendly and personable.’
Key clients
Kitwave Group plc
Mandata Group
Stellantis N.V. (formerly Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.)
3T Energy Group Limited
Vertu Motors Plc
Avid Technology Group
Simpsons Malt Limited
England Athletics Limited
Parkrun Limited
Thomas Swan & Co Limited
The Algorithm People Limited
Mercia Asset Management PLC
Thunderful Group AB
Crossflight Group Holdings Limited
John Nixon Limited
Fairstone Group Limited
Tees Valley Combined Authority
Caribbean Premier League
CAV Advanced Technologies Limited
Meiyume (UK) Limited
University of Newcastle
LDC Private Equity
The Lakes Distillery plc
Trivselhus UK Limited
PX Group
HC One Limited
Tekmar Group plc
Newcells Biotech Limited
Houghton International Electrical Services Limited
Samuel Knight International
The Port of Tyne
NG Bailey Limited
Sofina Foods Group
Work highlights
- Advising Kitwave Group on its successful admission to the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange.
- Acting for the shareholders of Mandata (including LDC private equity) on its secondary buyout by Tenzing private equity.
- Advising Peugeot S.A. (now renamed Stellantis) on the acquisition by a member of its group, Aramis Group, of a controlling interest in Motor Depot Limited.
Ward Hadaway LLP
Ward Hadaway LLP’s ‘dynamic, professional, helpful and solution-oriented‘ team is ‘extremely collaborative and acts as an extension of the in-house team’ when handling the full range of corporate and commercial mandates; Robert Thompson and Damien Charlton lead the corporate and commercial teams respectively. From a corporate perspective, the team is active across M&A transactions, restructurings, employee share incentives and shareholder agreements, while the commercial team is active in highly regulated sectors including the healthcare and transport industries. Former commercial group head Colin Hewitt also contributes to the practice, alongside funding expert Richard Butts, the ‘outstanding’ Tom Pollard and managing associate Clare French.
Practice head(s):
Robert Thompson; Damien Charlton
Other key lawyers:
Colin Hewitt; Richard Butts; Tom Pollard; Clare French; Steven Roper; Matthew Cormack; James Nightingale
Testimonials
‘The business has taken a lot of time to understand all of the requirements of the projects we undertake and the different parts of our business that could require assistance.’
‘It is the people and their commitment which make this law firm what it is. They approach pricing any job in a very pragmatic way and personalise the service to fit us as a client and the job we are working on. The whole team are extremely collaborative and act as an extension of our team.’
‘Tom Pollard has been outstanding for us. He has taken the time to understand our business and the sector we work in and tailor all support and advice accordingly. Tom is committed to delivering an extremely high quality of work in extremely tight timescales. Whenever you need to speak to him he will make himself available in a timely manner. Tom has a great ability to be a specialist in corporate Law whilst keeping a firm grip on commercial reality of the business and manages to tailor his advice accordingly.’
‘The key individuals we deal with at senior level are through James Nightingale. I find James hugely accessible and he provides professional advice alongside an approach which feels supportive and comfortable. In a challenging period for all industries, the firm has maintained good contact throughout where possible, which leaves them best placed as people who understand our business.’
‘The entire team at Ward Hadaway is dynamic, professional, helpful and solution-oriented. It is a pleasure to work with all of them, their level of engagement and their hands-on approach is very satisfying. They get deals done, provide solutions and care. A joy for every client.’
‘In particular, I would like to underline the partner and head of the corporate department Rob Thompson. I have limitless professional and personal esteem for him, but also for his entire team. It is very comforting to work with partners like Rob Thompson, who manage to keep control in all situations, who genuinely care and who combine professionalism with fast, solid and tangible results, always remaining extremely competitive. It is also personally a rewarding experience to work with Rob Thompson. For me, he is simply one of the best commercial / M&A lawyers in the United Kingdom.’
Key clients
Enerpac Tool Group
Nissan
Reheat Renewable Technologies
Communisis
Newcastle International Airport
Sage Group
Ensus
North East Finance
Port of Tyne
Total Capital Partners LLP
The Bannatyne Group
Northumberland Estates
Lookers Plc
EQS Group
Conviction Investment Partners
BGF Investments LP
Pacifica Group Limited
ScS Group Plc
Mercia Asset Management Plc
Inn Collection Group
Walwick Estate Group
Work highlights
Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP
Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP stands out in the market for its ability to utilise the firm’s international network on cross-border mandates; the team also counts some of the region’s key businesses on its client roster, including Grainger, alongside entrepreneurs, investors, private equity houses and financial institutions. The practice also excels in a broad range of sectors including the retail, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and technology industries. Ben Butler heads up the corporate department, which also fields corporate finance specialist Robert Phillips, US desk head Simon Watts, newly promoted partner Stacey Hall and legal director Iain Pritty. Key names at associate level include Oliver Rickett, who focuses on the technology sector, and David Ridley, who regularly works with energy sector clients.
Practice head(s):
Ben Butler
Other key lawyers:
Robert Phillips; Simon Watts; Stacey Hall; Iain Pritty; Oliver Rickett; David Ridley
Testimonials
‘Very strong practice, with a great team of Simon Watts, assisted by Stacey Hall.’
‘Very friendly, personable and able team. Easy to get along with. Open to challenge.’
Key clients
Grainger PLC
Nimbus Investments CXXXIX Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Grainger Plc on its acquisition of the Forge premises via an acquisition of the entire issued share capital of a Luxembourg property investment company.
- Advised on the sale of the entire issued share capital of Ashworth and Parker Limited (END.) to Lobster Bidco Limited – funded by equity funds managed by The Carlyle Group, and a proportion of proceeds reinvested by the Founders.
- Advised Nestware, the holding company of the UK’s largest retailer of carpets, flooring and beds, Carpetright, on its acquisition of Carpet & Flooring (Trading) Limited, one of the UK’s largest distributors of floor covering products and accessories.
Mincoffs Solicitors LLP
Praised by clients for ‘the commerciality of the team’, Mincoffs Solicitors LLP excels in a broad range of sectors encompassing the leisure and hospitality, construction, manufacturing, healthcare and technology industries. The practice also recently expanded its private equity and venture capital offering through the recruitment of Luke Philpott from Square One Law in late 2021. Other noteworthy individuals include practice head Paul Hughes, corporate finance expert John Nicholson, commercial group head Antony Hall and the ‘always available’ recently promoted partner Chris Hughes.
Practice head(s):
Paul Hughes
Other key lawyers:
Luke Philpott; John Nicholson; Antony Hall; Chris Hughes
Testimonials
‘I particularly like the commerciality of the team. Often, you have the strict legal view and you are left to decipher commercially what options you have. Mincoffs help you to weigh up your options practically speaking so that you can make an informed recommendation to the board.’
‘Chris Hughes is always available for us. When we need help he is there. It feels like he is very much part of our team and we love that.’
Key clients
LB Foster
Sudhir Power
Northern Bear PLC
Ladhar Group
Pure Pet Food
Art Health
Cairn Hotel Group
FICO
Amplyfi
Lugano
Northumbria University
University of Sunderland
Durham University
Goodboy Digital Ltd
Big Thursday Creative Limited
Coatsink Software Limited
IT Professional Services Limited
Modern Milkman
Work highlights
- Advised Fico Corporation on its £13.8m disposal of shares in Jupiter Hotels portfolio.
- Advised the sellers of HistoCyte Laboratories on the multi-million pound cross-border disposal of the group to Swedish Atlas Antibodies.
- Advised Art Health Solutions and its management team on its £800,000 seed round investment from North East Venture Fund managed by Enterprise Ventures Limited (Mercia Asset Management).
Sintons LLP
At Sintons LLP, the ‘tremendously helpful, efficient and effective’ practice recently separated its corporate and commercial offerings into distinct teams, with Adrian Dye and Karen Simms leading respectively. On the corporate side, the group handles M&A work, private equity issues, reorganisations and finance transactions with particular knowledge of the manufacturing, renewables, technology and leisure sectors. The commercial team excels in collaboration agreements, data sharing issues, licenses and regulatory and compliance work, among others. Managing partner Christopher Welch, Matt Collen and newly promoted partner Emma Pern are also key names to note.
Practice head(s):
Adrian Dye; Karen Simms
Other key lawyers:
Christopher Welch; Matt Collen; Emma Pern
Testimonials
‘Approachable, pragmatic, happy to re-go over ground where complex scenarios needed understanding.’
‘Chris Welch Managing Partner – an ability to clearly set out his thought processes with a refreshing corporate insight.’
‘Matt Collen is an exceptional, pragmatic and experienced corporate lawyer.’
‘In all of our work with Sintons they have been tremendously helpful, efficient, and effective. Work is done in a timely manner, to a high standard, and within the time frame expected. I have no qualms in recommending them highly.’
‘Very timely responses. Friendly and approachable. Translate complex legal language into easy to understand concepts.’
Key clients
UTS Group
Advanced Electric Machines Group Ltd
Ascot Care North East Ltd
Cheaperwaste Limited
Barker & Stonehouse Limited
Agricore Limited
North Tees Group
Ritchie Bland Energy Limited
Ladhar Group
Gisela Graham Limited
Work highlights
- Advising the selling shareholders on the disposal of Intumescent Protective Coatings Limited to Fieldway Group.
- Acting for the two major sellers and 24 minority sellers on the disposal of the entire issued share capital of The Hansen Partnership Limited.
- Advising Ritchie Bland Energy Limited on its equity and debt investment in Gap Group North East Limited, a electrical waste recycling business with its head office in Gateshead.
Weightmans
Under the leadership of Duncan Reid, who ‘offers a very client centric service’, Weightmans’ corporate practice in Newcastle takes a sector-focused approach to its transactional work, excelling in the technology, finance, private equity and franchise arenas. Marc Allison is the key contact for corporate finance work and joint venture transactions, while Paul Wigham focuses on private equity investments, particularly those involving early-stage companies, and principal associate Kirsty Adamson is active in the financial services space.
Practice head(s):
Duncan Reid
Other key lawyers:
Marc Allison; Paul Wigham; Kirsty Adamson
Testimonials
‘Duncan Reid offers a very client centric service and is well supported by his team. Confident, commercial advice without any unnecessary defensive lawyering!’
Key clients
Business Growth Fund (BGF)
Bluetree Design & Print Limited
Perwyn Advisors UK Limited
HiComply Limited
Crafter’s Companion Limited/Sara Davies
Camerons Brewery Limited
Northstar Ventures
Explore Wealth Limited
Maven Capital Partners
Building Design Partnership Limited
Total Recycling Services
J & B Recycling
Energize Recruitment
Redu Group
Zerolight
Datum360
Palringo
Broadband Satellite Services
N21 t/a Silverbean
Oak Engage
Work highlights
- Acted for the Business Growth Fund on the sale of its investment in Arc Trinova Limited to Permira Private Equity backed Quotient.
- Advised Perwyn on its investment into LRG Online, trading as Secret Sales.
- Acted for the shareholders of J & B Recycling Limited, including BGF, on the sale to Spanish company, Urbaser.
Clarke Mairs LLP
Clarke Mairs LLP attracts praise as ‘the market expert in pharmacy sales’ and the firm specialises in the various requirements of pharmacy transactions at a regional and national level including sales, acquisitions and asset purchases. Managing partner Tim Clarke heads up the group, which also fields associate Alex Robson, who is ‘a true professional and always contactable’. Beyond the pharmacy space, the group has also handled children's nursery, accounting and retail transactions.
Practice head(s):
Tim Clarke
Other key lawyers:
Alex Robson
Testimonials
‘They are very responsive and keep you in the loop at very stage of the process. Their advice was very reassuring and helped to smoothen the process.’
‘Personal touch of dealing with the same person through out the transaction and in subsequent transactions.’
‘Alex Robson and his team are unbelievable. They are a true asset to any solicitor firm. They are always happy to talk to clients and will push to get things done. I have even spoke to Alex in the evenings and weekends. This is just not the Norm with any other firm so they really do go the extra mile. It never feels rushed with Alex and he always makes sure we understand everything clearly before we sign any document. If its quality you are after Alex Robson and his team are top of our list every time.’
Key clients
B & T Prescriptions Limited
N E Health Ltd
Medsfirst Ltd
Nurserytime Ltd
Diamond Accounts Limited
Hathaway Roofing Holdings Limited
LNS Healthcare Limited
V C K P Limited
Clarity Stores Ltd
Burley Louth Limited
Work highlights
- Advised B & T Prescriptions Limited on the simultaneous purchase of two geographically close pharmacy businesses from two well known national retailers.
- Advised NE Health Ltd on the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Elmfield Trading Limited.
- Advised Medsfirst Limited on the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Station Road Pharmacy Limited, a company operating a sizeable retail pharmacy in Kent.
Hay & Kilner
Hay & Kilner’s ‘technically good’ team is jointly led by Mark Adams and Jonathan Waters; Adams acts for pharmacy, automotive and veterinary clients, while Waters specialises in the care home sector. Other key sector specialisms span the insurance, leisure, financial services and technology industries. At associate level, Ben Jackson focuses on handling corporate mergers and acquisitions for national corporates and owner-managed businesses.
Practice head(s):
Mark Adams; Jonathan Waters
Other key lawyers:
Ben Jackson
Testimonials
‘Friendly and approachable, very experienced and good value for money.’
‘Mark Adams and Ben Jackson have been fantastic over the last two years, we have completed a number of key transactions. Their knowledge and attention to detail as well as taking time to explain all relevant documents in layman’s terms has been of real value to the Company.’
‘Mark Adams and Jonathan Waters – very good corporate partners. Ben Jackson – very good and upcoming lawyer in Newcastle.’
Key clients
Indigo Software Group
Novares Group
Barrier Group
Stessa Group
Hyperdrive Innovation Ltd (now part of Turntide Technology Group)
R. Lord & Co. (Newcastle) Ltd
Centre for Life
A&J Henfrey Ltd
ATM Security Ltd & Centralock Ltd
Wingrove Motor Group
Monument Real Estate Management Ltd
PLHC Group
VH Bio Ltd
Town Centre Automobiles Ltd
Medical Architecture and Art Projects Ltd
55 Fisheries Ltd
Work highlights
- Advised Town Centre Garage (Sunderland) Limited on the sale of its “Town Centre Automobiles” business to Sherwoods Motor Group Ltd.
- Advised the shareholders of R. Lord & Co. (Newcastle) Ltd, one of the largest independent tool hire and sales companies in the UK, on the sale of their shares to national operator One Stop Hire.
- Advised The PLHC Group Limited on the refinancing of its entire care home portfolio with Oak North Bank and also advised on a connected development facility for the creation of a new care village.