The ‘highly professional, rock-solid’ corporate finance and tax department at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP stands out for its strong relationships with major regional, national, and international corporates across the energy, retail, and financial sectors. An expert in corporate finance, M&A, as well as shareholder and joint venture agreements, team lead Ian Holden is a highly sought-after advisor among major multinational retail and financial services companies. Sebastian Briggs is ’thoughtful, sensible, and commercial’ in his advice across the energy sector, acting for major developers and operators on the sale of renewable energy project SPVs at various stages of their lifecycles. Stephen Pierce heads the national corporate and commercial business group, serving as lead partner for the firm’s major clients in their repeat M&A activity, while Carly Holt is another key team member.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Sebastian heads a highly professional, rock-solid team which has helped us with all our acquisitions over the years. They are commercial, hardworking and flexible. We would not work with anyone else.'
- ‘We work extensively with Sebastian Briggs, who is thoughtful, sensible, and commercial. I can rely on his good advice and also put him in front of the board very comfortably.’
- ‘Ian Holden has taken the time to get to know our business. He is sympathetic and patient in clarifying any misunderstandings or inexperience.’
- ‘We get city-quality work at a regional level from the Womble Bond Dickinson team in Southampton.'
- ‘A highly professional, rock-solid team which has helped us with all our acquisitions over the years. They are commercial, hardworking, and flexible. We would not work with anyone else.’
- 'Sebastian Briggs is our partner contact; he is clever, diligent, knowledgeable, flexible and commercial.'
- ‘Friendly people with commercial advice, offering support without handholding.'
- 'Sebastian Briggs is excellent, thoroughly commercial and lovely to deal with.'
- ‘Excellent, partner-led service.’
- ‘The commercial team do a good job linking us with the appropriate teams elsewhere in the practice.’
Key clients
- Renewable Energy Systems Limited
- Quilter Plc
- HydraB Group
- Future Plc
- Hollywood Bowl Group Plc
- Halma Public Limited Company
- Malteries Soufflet SAS
- The Renewables Infrastructure Group
- Niedax GmbH & Co. KG
- Unicard Limited
- Atlas Concrete Limited
- D.J. Squire & Co. Limited
- Artefact SAS
- Motorcare (Kent) Limited
- D.A. Harrison and Company Wigton
Work highlights
Advised Halma plc on all aspects of its acquisition of Remlive Limited, a specialist supplier of electrical safety warning indicators.
Advised French sports retailer Decathlon in connection with its existing and future investment in Unmade Ltd, an English company specialising in on-demand apparel design and manufacturing software.
Advised REG Windpower on the sale of REG Abergorki Limited, the SPV that owns a pre-construction consented wind farm development located in Wales.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
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.
Practice head
Ian Holden
Other key lawyers
Stephen Pierce; Sebastian Briggs; Carly Holt