With expertise spanning M&A, private equity and venture capital transactions, as well as debt funding, the corporate team at Weightmans regularly acts for up-and-coming tech businesses, financial advisors, and wealth managers based in the region. Duncan Reid leads the team and specialises in providing corporate transactional advice to clients in the tech and financial services sector. He works closely with Paul Wigham, who has particular expertise in advising newly established companies on private equity investments. Reid and Wigham are ably assisted by corporate finance expert Nick Gray, the ‘first-rate’ Rosie Roof, and the ’very impressive‘ Kirsty Adamson, recommended for advice concerning the disposals of private companies. Strengthening the group’s commercial offering, Nathan Bilton joined the team from Ward Hadaway LLP in July 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘They listened to our objectives, talked us through their advice and then translated it into clear actions. They were refreshingly clear and didn't over-complicate the process.’
‘Very helpful team with a commercial attitude which helps to get a deal done.’
‘I have worked with this team on multiple acquisitions, disposals, investment rounds, and ongoing corporate legal and HR requirements. They are a trusted business partner, highly regarded due to their knowledge, quality of work, attention to detail, and performance.'
'They have a pragmatic approach to efficiently deal with any project, and the continuity of the team has been an important factor in the successes achieved of which they have played a major part. ’
‘The quality of work, responsiveness, availability and a pragmatic approach to dealing with all aspects of corporate and commercial law are the main reasons we have enjoyed years of success with this team. We regard them as our number one choice on all transactions.'
- 'Duncan Reid is an exceptional transactional lawyer who I use for all M&A and private equity work. He is excellent in his approach to getting the right result.'
- 'Kirsty Adamson is a very impressive lawyer who competently manages the whole end-to-end transactional process. Her work is exceptional, faultless, and above all she just gets the job done.'
- 'Rosie Roof is a first-rate corporate associate who I always request to be part of the transactional team. Very responsive, and a super safe pair of hands throughout the whole transaction process. ’
Key clients
- Business Growth Fund (BGF)
- Lloyds Development Capital (LDC)
- Laurel Expert Surveying Services Limited
- Maven Capital Partners
- Perspective Financial Management
- Camerons Brewery Limited
- Northstar Ventures
- Red Rover Limited
- Boomfi Ltd
- Daikin Applied Europe S.p.A (Tokyo listed entity)
Work highlights
- Advised on the £90m disposal of 85% of Correll Group, a major player in electrical engineering applied to the offshore wind energy sector, to SPIE, the independent European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications.
- Advised Northstar Ventures Limited (together with co-investors) on 21 investments representing over £32m in total investment proceeds. The investments were a mixture of follow-on investments and new investments.
- Acted for Daikin Applied Europe S.p.A, part of the Japanese-listed Daikin group on its £10m acquisition of Brooktherm Refrigeration Ltd.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
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
Duncan Reid
Other key lawyers
Nathan Bilton; Paul Wigham; Rosie Roof; Kirsty Adamson; Nick Gray