Ward Hadaway LLP’s corporate team offers in-depth corporate and commercial expertise, supported by in-house tax, banking, and finance specialists. The team advises across all sectors, with a focus on the leisure, human capital, technology, life sciences, healthcare, and manufacturing industries. It handles a broad range of corporate transactions, including acquisitions, finance raisings, restructurings, and shareholder agreements, acting for clients from entrepreneurs and SMEs to PLCs and equity funders. The commercial team has notable expertise in the transport sector and outsourcing work, particularly in regulated industries. Team head Damien Charlton is a highly experienced commercial lawyer with a strong track record in outsourcing contracts and a specialist focus on dental practice sales and acquisitions. Other key names include funding and investment specialist Richard Butts, corporate governance expert Matthew Cormack, and Steven Roper, who is active in the transport and infrastructure sectors. Clare French also contributes to the practice.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team at Ward Hadaway have worked with us for many years. Throughout this time, they have also conducted many transactions on our behalf, navigating both lender and equity provider desires whilst at the same time maintaining a fantastic relationship with the management team. The team are, without exception, brilliant in my opinion and their collaboration with our various partners has always resulted in a positive relationship.'
- 'Imogen Holland is our lead contact. She is not only dedicated and hard working but caring and considerate in her approach. The fact that our business has sat with her and the team at Ward Hadaway since its inception is a testament to her ability and skill in navigating difficult and sometimes unexpected circumstances.'
- 'One of the best teams in town. Have the technical edge on others and good value.'
- 'We have a dedicated partner, James Nightingale, who is our first point of contact to the rest of the WH teams. James and the wider team have taken the time to understand our business. The teams that help us are always fully up to speed with the issues at hand and understand the history and background of the company and so are able to get to the heart of the matter.'
- 'Knowledge of the business is foremost. They want the best for the company and have had our backs on a number of occasions.'
Key clients
- Northumbrian Water
- Port of Tyne Authority
- Ensus UK
- Durham County Cricket Club
- PD Ports (Part of the Brookfield Group)
- Newcastle International Airport
- Nova International (Trading as the Great Run Company)
- Pure Fishing Inc.
- Inflo Software
- Arjo
- Opencast Software Europe
- Soil Machine Dynamics
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Damien Charlton
Other key lawyers
Richard Butts; Matthew Cormack; Steven Roper; Imogen Holland; James Nightingale; Clare French