Based out of Leeds, Simon Pilling and James Cook co-head the Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP outfit, primarily handling equity investments, sales of issued share capital, and private equity-backed acquisitions. Key sectors of focus include the fintech and retail industries, with Pilling and Cook routinely acting for private equity funds and management teams. Catherine Willis covers group reorganisations, while Newcastle’s David Ridley is also noted as key.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Reliable and personable, completely trustworthy – understands the business and client requirements and works flexibly to deliver a top-class service. Pleasure to work with.'
- 'James is great to work with and easy to get on with, he is a valued partner to us. High quality work, flexible approach, delivered to deadline, comms good.'
Key clients
- LDC
- Lomond Group
- North Edge
- Clearly Drinks
- Fera Science Limited
- Trevally Capital
- Waterscan
- Piper
- Kennelpak Limited
- Cutwel
- Zinc Group
- NVM
Work highlights
Advised Lomond and LDC on a landmark investment by global asset manager LDC, and reinvestment by existing management, helping to support the group's continued M&A growth strategy of further consolidation in existing markets and providing additional capital to drive expansion in new regions.
Advised longstanding client Piper Private Equity in connection with its investment in Inside Travel Group.
Advised Lomond, operating from Leeds and Yorkshire under the Linley & Simpson branch, on its largest acquisition to date with the purchase of Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward.
Practice head
Simon Pilling; James Cook
Other key lawyers
Catherine Willis; David Ridley