Next Generation Partners

Corporate and commercial: Norwich in East Anglia

Birketts LLP

The Norwich office of Birketts LLP is home to an ‘approachable, knowledgeable and accessible’ group with broad-ranging expertise and a deep bench of experienced partners. Ed Savory has taken over as head of the corporate team, while also acting as head of the food and beverages sector group. The ‘technically fantastic’ Adrian Possener co-leads the energy and infrastructure sector group, drawing on his vast experience in public company work, IPOs and bond issues. Specialist corporate finance partner Greg Allan leads the healthcare sector team, leveraging his long experience in advising social care, medical and specialists care providers. Clients praise Paul Palik‘s ‘calm and collected manner, teamed with his incredible knowledge and extensive experience’, while the ‘astute, diligent, talented, and professional’ Jack Shreeve is one to watch.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ed Savory; Adrian Possener


Autres avocats clés:

Greg Allan; Paul Palik; Jack Shreeve


Les références

‘The team listens and takes on board the objectives trying to be facilitated, finding the right structure to best ‘fit’ the circumstance. They work closely with other professionals in order to achieve this. By which I mean the client is put first.’

‘Birketts really understands our business, the niche industry we operate in. One of the biggest benefits of working together for many years means they are fully aware of our company’s journey, historic discussions, decisions we have made and approaches taken, meaning they can quickly pick up any matter swiftly and with full context rather than us having to start over again and explaining things each time. The fact we have such a long relationship is testament to how easy they are to work with and how well they perform their services.’

‘I am completely confident in their knowledge and expertise, and know they are fully appraised of what is going on in their respective areas of specialism. It’s very easy to overlook the work that goes in to becoming an expert, but also then consistently maintaining it – so I have huge admiration for the work they do.’

Principaux clients

Holkham Holiday Parks Limited


Applied Satellite Group Limited


24hr Aquaflow Services Limited


Mayday Office Equipment Services Limited


Contact Electrical Holdings Limited


RPC Holdings Limited


Grainger Motor Group Ltd


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Holkham Holiday Parks Limited on the acquisition of a caravan park business, comprising the share acquisition of three companies and asset acquisition of two companies.
  • Advised the shareholders of 24hr Aquaflow Services Limited on sale of the company to React SC Holdings Limited.
  • Advised on the sale of Thunderbrook Equestrian Limited to the ForFarmers Group.

Mills & Reeve LLP

The ‘very accessible and responsive’ practice at Mills & Reeve LLP in Norwich is part of a firm-wide group that increasingly handles M&A transactions with an international element; the firm also remains highly active in the largest regional deals. It frequently advises on IPOs, as well as acting for large private equity investors in key sectors such as the health space, and the firm’s health and care sector group is sought after by PE houses, investors, corporates, providers, and operators regionally, nationally and internationally. Greg Gibson, who is national head of the government sector group, and health sector specialist Natalie Wade lead the practice. The ‘helpful and accessible’ Craig Hodgson takes the lead on food and agribusiness matters, while James Hunter frequently acts for owners and acquirers of mid-market businesses, and handles private equity, healthcare and life sciences transactions as well as mainstream corporate M&A.

Responsables de la pratique:

Greg Gibson; Natalie Wade


Autres avocats clés:

Craig Hodgson; James Hunter; Christina O’Brien; Kim Lindsay-Smith


Les références

‘Greg Gibson is an excellent client relationship partner. He and others in the M&R team have worked with us for a number of years so have excellent institutional knowledge and understanding of our corporate policies and approach.’

‘Very accessible and responsive.’

‘Craig Hodgson. Helpful and accessible. Distinguishes between what has to be fought for and what does not. ’

Principaux clients

Shareholders of Barnes (Aldbourne) Limited


Shareholders of Coatham Tyre Centre Limited


Shareholders of Coach1 Limited


Shareholders of The Ready Group Limited


Shareholders of Johnsons (Henely) Limited


Shareholders of Swans Travel Limited


Shareholders of HCA (Manchester) Limited


Shareholders of Owens Newco A Limited. (Project Roman Shareholders)


T & L Sugars Limited


Fengrain Limited


GreenSquareAccord


HD Clinical Limited


Department for Work & Pensions


Supply Chain Coordination Limited


The British Council


The National Archives


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised on a significant PE deal which was the merger of seven regional coach operators in order to form a new, national group called The Coach Travel Group backed by PE Fund H2.
  • Acted for Archimed SAS and various individual shareholders on the sale of the Deallus group.
  • Supporting the Department for Work and Pensions on the implementation and operational delivery of its Functional Assessment Services Contracts.

Ashtons Legal

Ashtons Legal has a wide network of offices in the region, and its Norwich office is central to its corporate and commercial offering, which is led from Ipswich by Geoff Hazlewood. It houses much of the firm’s nationally recognised franchising group, led by specialists Damian Humphrey and John Chambers. Alongside his management duties, firm CEO James Tarling continues to be involved in transactional work, and Mark Watson frequently assists many local and national businesses on transactional matters, as well as advising financial institutions on the corporate aspects of their lending.  David Sloman acts for high-growth companies in the technology sector.

Responsables de la pratique:

Geoff Hazlewood


Autres avocats clés:

James Tarling; John Chambers; Damian Humphrey; David Sloman; Mark Watson


Les références

‘A really strong all-round commercial practice. I do a lot of work with early-stage companies so their experience in setting the right foundations for growth is really useful.’

‘We work mostly with David Sloman, who is excellent. Has all the measured calm and thoughtfulness you need in your law partner – but he can move at pace and help us see the wood for the trees in the fast-moving world of start-ups we operate in.’

‘They are responsive, supportive and have a diverse range of expertise.’

Principaux clients

Stow Healthcare Group


Medical Management Systems


TaxAssist Group


Signs Express


Titan Motorsport & Automotive Engineering


Camgrain


xDNA Group Limited


Flip Out


ARC (Norwich) Limited


Ecoglass Limited


Quadrant Management


Euston Ventures Limited


Lofty Inc


Tech Educators


Algaris Limited


Gipping Construction


Abbey International Finance Limited


Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment


Bowmonk Limited


Akcela Ventures


Bill Cleyndert & Company


TryHackMe


Hemp Innovations


Natural Building Systems


The Pixl Club


Smartspace Software PLC


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising ARC (Norwich) on the successful transition to management ownership by carrying out a two-stage MBO.
  • Advised Cecil Amey Opticians and Hearing Care on the acquisition of the three branches of Penningtons Opticians.
  • Advising the shareholders of Majestic Garden Services on the £5m sale to private equity-backed Servtron Limited, including significant roll-over for the shareholders.

Fosters

Fosters provides a broad-ranging service that encompasses everything from complex M&A transactions to day-to-day legal support. The ‘highly commercial’ Jamie Arnall and the ‘incredibly diligent’ Charlotte Darkins are highly experienced in advising clients in the sports industry and are frequently involved in negotiating sponsorship deals. Newly promoted partner and head of corporate Josh Perez-Fosh handles complex and high-value M&A transactions. The firm ‘offers a balance of personalised service and professional expertise’.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jamie Arnall; Josh Perez-Fosh


Autres avocats clés:

Charlotte Darkins


Les références

‘The individual team members were great at communicating with us and always responded quickly to us when necessary. They also always acted in our best interests whilst listening to our views and concerns.’

‘I highly value having a single contact who can involve other specialist teams as and when required.’

‘I’ve worked with Jamie Arnall for many years and find him highly commercial. He’s great for having a chat about how to deal with a situation strategically, as well as for sound legal advice. His team are also excellent at supporting us.’

Principaux clients

Zatu Limited


Coventry City Football Club


Super League Basketball Limited


Norwich City Football Club Plc


Nottingham Forest Football Club Limited


Motorplus Limited


Furncare Limited


Howes Percival LLP

At Howes Percival LLP, James Stephen leads the corporate, commercial and banking group from Cambridge, and head of corporate Oliver Pritchard is based in Norwich. Richard Turner is a key name in the practice, alongside complex restructuring and multi-step capital reduction demerger specialist Lizzy Page and M&A adviser Helaina Mann, who is ‘highly intelligent and confident in her communication style’.

Responsables de la pratique:

James Stephen; Oliver Pritchard


Autres avocats clés:

Richard Turner; Lizzy Page; Helaina Mann


Les références

‘They are keen to understand how you work so they can tailor their services and advice to the best effect. They will raise related matters to the subject you are seeking advice on to ensure all bases are covered.’

‘They understand our requirements and will always give advice in a practical and real world/commercial context. This applies to the whole team, particularly Richard Turner.’

‘Very down-to-earth, pragmatic and efficient. I trust their work and their judgement and they work seamlessly across the team.’

Principaux clients

Stuart Group Ltd / Stuart Plant Ltd


Inspiralis


Falcon Cranes


Forbidden Planet


British Marine


BGF


Cadman Capital


Millnet Limited


Don’t Travel Empty Limited


Marett’s Chariots Coach Hire


PFK Ling Limited


Edperitus


Ben Burgess Limited


Hughes Electrical Limited / Washco Limited


Desira plc


British Marine


HSBC


Stratton Motorsport Limited


Southwold Pier


Abacus Hotels


Pretty Technical Limited


Rokker Limited


GSL Dardan


DX Network Services Limited


2BP Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Horning Pleasurecraft Limited on its acquisition of the business and assets of Broom Boats.
  • Advised BGF Investments LP & BGF UK Enterprise Fund 3 LP (private equity house) on its £6m investment in Signify Research Limited.

Clapham & Collinge Solicitors

Clapham & Collinge Solicitors has continued to grow its corporate client base across Norfolk, and lead partner Paul Kenrick has successfully added local businesses to the firm's client roster. His expertise spans a wide range of commercial law topics, including commercial contracts, partnership agreements, AI regulation, and business sales.

Responsables de la pratique:

Paul Kenrick


Principaux clients

BSP Engineering Limited


Pastry Cutters Limited


Watsons Property Group Ltd


Spreyer Brothers Leisure Limited


Simon Stern Holidays Limited


MW Sweeper Hire Limited


KS Clubs Limited


Isadores

Isadores has carved out a niche advising the sellers of family-owned and owner-managed businesses in the East of England. Nathan Muskett is the lead partner locally, while Stephen Ryde-Weller also spends time in the firm's Portsmouth office. Clients single out Molly Byrne‘s ‘approachable nature, friendly disposition, and exceptional ability to clearly explain complex matters in plain English’. Emma Keen also plays a key role in complex business sales.

Responsables de la pratique:

Nathan Muskett; Stephen Ryde-Weller


Autres avocats clés:

Molly Byrne; Emma Keen


Les références

‘Isadores consistently delivers exceptional service that distinctly sets them apart in the legal sector. Their approach is highly efficient, organised, and thorough, ensuring that clients remain fully informed and supported throughout every stage—from the initial consultation right through to conclusion. Their professionalism, combined with a friendly, approachable manner, fosters trust and creates a reassuring, positive client experience.’

‘Clients benefit from the firm’s proactive communication style, regular updates, and accessibility, facilitating smooth and transparent case progression. This dedicated approach not only helps in achieving optimal outcomes but also builds enduring relationships founded on reliability and mutual respect. The team’s commitment to understanding each client’s unique needs and circumstances further underscores their ability to deliver tailored and effective legal solutions.’

‘Molly Byrne, our main contact at the firm, has consistently provided outstanding service over several years to both our organisation and the clients we recommend. Molly’s approachable nature, friendly disposition, and exceptional ability to clearly explain complex matters in plain English greatly enhance the client experience. Her empathetic and reassuring approach ensures that clients feel at ease, fully informed, and well supported throughout their transactions. Molly’s professionalism and genuine care leave a lasting positive impression, making her an invaluable asset to both Isadores and the clients she supports.’

Principaux clients

P1 Capital


Aura Futures Limited


Victorious Festivals


Transmit Containers


Ovamill Group


N-Ergise


Petlife Internation Limited


Former family and non-family shareholders of Simpsons Garage (Gt. Yarmouth) Ltd


Former family shareholders of Pips Skips Limited


Minors & Brady Estate Agents


Former shareholders of Simonds of Botesdale Limited


Former shareholders Aquazone Group


Stephenson Smart Accountants


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised the owners of Aquazone Group Limited on a 75% investment into the company by Ross-shire Engineering Limited.
  • Advised on the sale of Pips Skips Limited to Sun Skips Ltd.
  • Advised on the sale of Simpsons Motorhomes/Skoda Gt Yarmouth to Desira plc.