With in-depth expertise in supply train contracts, BHW Solicitors is a key port of call for various institutional lenders. With a ‘great presence in the local market’, the practice’s recent caseload encompasses cross-border restructuring, employee ownership trust matters, and succession projects. Ed Nurse oversees the team and is lauded by clients for his ‘exceptional commercial knowledge.’ Matt Worsnop is active in the owner-managed sector and privately-owned sectors, while Stephen McElhone is vastly experienced in corporate fundraising. Worsnop, McElhone, and James Dent are praised as ‘three of the best corporate and commercial lawyers in the area.’ Other key members of the team include Alex Clifton and Cameron Connolly. All of the individuals that have been mentioned are located in Leicester.
Corporate and commercial: Elsewhere in East Midlands in East Midlands
BHW Solicitors
Responsables de la pratique:
Ed Nurse
Autres avocats clés:
Matt Worsnop; Stephen McElhone; James Dent; Alex Clifton; Cameron Connolly
Les références
‘BHW employs high quality people within their corporate and commercial team. We have worked with various members of the team, individually and collectively, and they are very well-organised. They are very client focused, always efficient, and an absolute pleasure to deal with.’
‘The team at BHW have strength in depth in terms of their knowledge of the commercial landscape. They take a pragmatic view and work in partnership with their client, ensuring that they understand the implications of what is being proposed and the practical alternatives.’
‘A great presence in the local market. The team always seem on top of all situations, and I find them a pleasure to work with.’
Principaux clients
Correlation Investments Limited
Lavendon Group Limited
Gardner Group Limited
Oadby Plastics Limited
BPX Group Limited
NatWest Bank Plc
Nationwide Platforms Limited
HSBC Bank Plc
KCT Holdings Limited
Technicut Limited
Quartz Holdings Limited
HomePro Ltd
Creative Software Solutions (Europe) Limited
Colson Castors Limited
Evergreens (UK) Limited
Delta Global Source Holdings Limited
Red Sands Insurance Company (Europe) Limited
AutoProtect Group Limited
Beowulf Mining Plc
The Engineering Technology Group Limited
Money Redress Limited
Nationwide Windscreen Services Ltd
Pharmacare Group Limited
Mensa International Limited
Rothley Law Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Correlation Risk Partners on the disposal of Animal Friends Insurance to Pinnacle Pet Group.
- Advised the shareholders of the Verdon Timber Group on their sale to nationwide counterpart, Howarth Timber Group.
- Advised the shareholders of Hycontrol Limited on the sale of the company to Envea.
Freeths LLP
Lauded by clients for its ‘depth of knowledge in the healthcare sector’, Freeths LLP is well-equipped to assist clients on the corporate aspects of sale and leaseback transactions. The ‘efficient and helpful’ team is also knowledgeable of corporate restructuring and financing, property acquisitions and disposals, as well as share purchase agreements. Based in Leicester, Phil Baigent co-leads the team with the ‘excellent’ Thomas Golding, who works out of Nottingham. Baigent has over two decades of experience in advising both banks, buyers, REITs, and sellers operating in the healthcare sector.
Responsables de la pratique:
Phil Baigent; Thomas Golding
Les références
‘A depth of knowledge in the healthcare sector – they have great response times.’
‘The team is very knowledgeable, approachable, and able to communicate clearly which helps us understand the contracts and transactions.’
‘They are easy to work with and our preferred solicitors.’
Principaux clients
LNT Group
Anchor Hanover Group
Pressbeau Care Homes
Optimo Care Group Limited
Country Court Care Group
Yorkare Homes Limited
Danforth Care Partners
Lawrence Baker Group
Sandstone Care Group
Warwick Capital Partners
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Halesowen Care Development Limited on entry into a circa £8,300,000 loan facility agreement with Cynergy Bank Limited.
- Advised K/S Weybridge on drafting and negotiating transaction documents.
HCR Hewitsons
Noted for its capabilities in commercial IP and IT matters, HCR Hewitsons enjoys a strong presence in the automotive, manufacturing, and technology sectors. The practice is also particularly skilled at demergers, governance issues, reorganizations, as well as refinancing transactions. David Davies oversees the team and is lauded for ‘his wide and detailed knowledge and his totally professional style’, while David Browne is commended as ‘patient and personable.’ Neil Harpham is experienced in banking and finance matters, while Anne-Sophie Reynolds is particularly active in the agricultural sector. Motunrayo Adeeyo is noted for his expertise in the dental sector.
Responsables de la pratique:
David Davies
Autres avocats clés:
David Browne; Neil Harpham; Anne-Sophie Reynolds; Motunrayo Adeeyo
Les références
‘This is an experienced and highly competent team that is well balanced, hard-working, and good humored. They are capable of taking on and successfully completing a very wide range of complex transactions. They can be relied upon to do a very good job.’
‘On large corporate transactions in which they excel, they have a wide range of very competent specialists to support them, including in employment law, pensions, commercial contracts, commercial property, and commercial litigation.’
‘The team is a settled and long-standing one, Neil Harpham and Anne-Sophie Reynolds are excellent. The team is headed by a highly experienced, hard-working, commercially-minded and very intelligent partner in the form of David Browne. He can be relied on to do a thorough and extremely competent job.’
Principaux clients
Perrys Motor Sales Limited
Hi-Force Limited
Biogen (UK) Limited
Homes England
Fencor Packaging Group Limited
Northampton Rugby Football Club Limited
AA Thornton IP LLP
The retiring members of DNG Dove Naish LLP
Medigold Health Consultancy Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised the members of DNG Dove Naish LLP on the sale of their members’ interests in the limited liability partnership to Shaw Gibbs.
- Advised VSL Dental Limited on the acquisition of the business and assets of the dental practice, Holly Tree House Dental.
- Advised on a demerger of a major landowning and investment group of companies.
Howes Percival LLP
Acquisition financing, corporate banking matters, as well as real estate developments are cornerstones of practice at Howes Percival LLP. In Northampton, Matthew Thompson leads on mid-market M&A transactions and is a strong choice for large and SME owner-managed businesses. Paula Dumbill is knowledgeable of commercial trading agreements and is lauded as ‘exceptionally patient and highly organised.’ Haydon Simmonds leads the East Midlands banking and finance team, while Miles Barnes is praised by clients as an ‘excellent, deal-orientated solicitor’, and is knowledgeable of distribution, licensing, and manufacturing. Gerald Couldrake is another key team member and Gareth John joined the practice in May 2024.
Responsables de la pratique:
Matt Thompson; Paula Dumbill; Haydon Simmonds
Autres avocats clés:
Miles Barnes; Gerald Couldrake; Katherine Cereghino; Jeremy Hyde; Ben Hancox; Gareth John
Les références
‘We have received a good service from the team who always acted in an efficient and professional manner, providing advice and guidance often to very tight deadlines.’
‘Howes Percival boasts a formidable presence with multiple offices strategically positioned across the East Midlands. Each location houses high-caliber legal professionals with a breadth of experience across various disciplines.’
‘The team has a strong bench of talent. They’re consistently one of the top performing corporate teams in the East Midlands and work on their fair share of deals in the region. Within the team they have experience of EOTs as well as mainstream disposals, restructurings, de-mergers and acquisitions.’
Principaux clients
Medigold Health Consultancy
Connells Limited
E-Bate Limited
Cinch Cars
BCA Automotive
Brewers Decorating Centres
Euro Food Brands
Foresight Capital
SPAR (UK)
BGF
FA Simms
The DX Group
Arne Clothing
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Medigold on a transformational acquisition of Health Management Limited for US based Maximus Group.
- Advised Brewers Decorating Centres on its acquisition growth strategy.
- Advised E-Bate Limited on a number of equity fundraisers from a number of investors, including Mercia.
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Shakespeare Martineau LLP is geared to advise entrepreneurial, family, and high-growth businesses on transactional and reorganisation work. Practice head Roy Botterill and Ashley Taylor are praised for their ‘breadth of knowledge and experience’, Botterill is a key contact for tax advisors and is experienced in advising owner-managed businesses on business sales and business purchases, as well as internal structures and strategy. Lisa Botterill is well-informed in care home transactions.
Responsables de la pratique:
Roy Botterill
Autres avocats clés:
Ashley Taylor; Michael Squirrell; Lisa Botterill
Les références
‘The team are knowledgeable and approachable. We have been working with them for many years and so I absolutely trust their advice, guidance, and direction. Working with Shakespeare Martineau feels like a collaborative process, rather than the more traditional “client instructing adviser” type relationship.’
‘They are approachable, friendly, and have great understanding of our needs. They are not afraid to gently point out issues relating to areas that are not our specialism.’
‘We are always very impressed by Roy Botterill and Ashley Taylor’s breadth of knowledge and experience. ’
Principaux clients
WBR Group
Shield Engineering Group
Mindera
Langdale Group
3T Logistics
Rotherwood Group
Bostik Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Acting for an individual on the sale of the entire share capital of VouchedFor Ltd.
- Acting for a client who was a new entrant to the care sector including advising on acquisition and fund raising.
Sills & Betteridge LLP
Recently engaged in insolvency restructuring, Sills & Betteridge LLP enjoys a strong reputation in the agri-business, financial services, healthcare, and retail sectors. Praised as ‘exceptional with his knowledge’, James Conduit oversees the practice, and his broad caseload encompasses corporate finance, M&A, as well as share and assets sales and purchases. Euan McLaughlin is regarded in the engineering sector and is well-informed on commercial contracts, including joint venture agreements. All of the individuals that have been mentioned are located in Lincoln.
Responsables de la pratique:
James Conduit
Autres avocats clés:
Euan McLaughlin; Martin Walsh
Les références
‘We have enjoyed working with Sills and Betteridge over the past few years on a range of business acquisitions that we have undertaken with their legal support.’
‘All of our transactions have progressed smoothly and contracts have been drafted in a suitable succinct and tailor made approach, covering our requirements fully, rather than in an ‘off the peg’ documentation with endless revisions of non-relevant elements. ’
‘The team were great all through the acquisition process and our contact James Conduit was always on hand to help where needed. From the minute you walked into the Lincoln office you felt as though you were being looked after by professionals who cared.’
Principaux clients
Active8 Managed Technologies Limited
Ballet Makers Europe Limited
Beaphar BV
Chandlers (Farm Machinery) Limited
Clydesdale Bank PLC
Hemswell Estates Limited
HFL Financial Advisers
Lincoln College Group
Micronclean Limited
NerG Ltd/ NERG Holdings Ltd
Omex Agriculture Limited
SHD Group
Sleeping Disorders Centre Group
The Burdens Group
Turnbull & Co Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised the shareholders of Hawkins Electrical on their sale to RSK Environment Ltd.
- Advised the buyer in an MBO of Bio 8 Ltd.
- Advised Chandlers (Farm Equipment) Limited on its acquisition of the business and assets of Ross Farm Machinery.
Chattertons
Often working in conjunction with the firm’s commercial property and employment teams, the ‘pragmatic and business-oriented’ practice at Chattertons is a key contact for agricultural businesses. ‘Consummate professional’ Anna Horrell leads the team from Stamford and her caseload encompasses commercial contracts, corporate structuring, and restructuring, as well as M&A. In Lincoln, Stuart Newell advises on constitutional documents, joint ventures, as well as shareholders agreements, and is ‘a very thorough and detailed operator.’
Responsables de la pratique:
Anna Horrell
Autres avocats clés:
Stuart Newell; Jenny Horsley
Les références
‘Anna Horrell was a consummate professional through the whole of our recent restructuring transactions. She kept us informed and reassured at every significant juncture.’
‘Anna Horrell heads the department and has to be one of the most commercially minded individuals I have come across in the legal sector. I have always been very impressed by her. ’
‘I have always been impressed with Anna Horrell’s “no-nonsense” commercial approach to each matter which I consider stands out against her competitors. ’
Principaux clients
Birchester Care Holdings Limited
Birchester Care Limited
EdgVR Limited
Education Group Limited
Horizon Agricultural Machinery Limited
Ilex Envirosciences Limited
Barkwith Associates Limited
Greylees Limited
Principaux dossiers
Nelsons Solicitors Limited
Counting various international conglomerates, owner-managed businesses, PLCs, and SMEs on its client roster, the Leicester-based practice at Nelsons Solicitors Limited is headed by Rik Pancholi. Pancholi is proficient in disposals, M&A, as well as reorganisations, while Ziaur Rahman’s niche expertise encompasses corporate charity matters, EOTs, and specialist partnership agreements. Palbir Vadesha is noted for her strength in corporate governance, manufacturing and engineering commercial contracts, as well as shareholder agreements.
Responsables de la pratique:
Rik Pancholi
Autres avocats clés:
Ziaur Rahman; Palbir Vadesha
Les références
‘They are always helpful and very responsive. The team gave good advice and worked well to get our deal across the line.’
‘The practice has successfully completed a number of projects for our clients and in all cases they have been able to achieve the “tight deadlines” required and equated the final costs within the original estimates.’
‘The team are very flexible and goal orientated, they also understand deadlines and are a pleasure to work with, especially Ziaur Rahman.’
Principaux dossiers
Roythornes Solicitors
With broad transactional capabilities, including joint ventures, M&A, private equity, and reorganisations, Roythornes Solicitors is well-versed in commercial, construction, and engineering contracts. Martin Jinks is informed in equipment installation and support contracts, as well as loan investments, while the ‘highly experienced and friendly solicitor’, Mike Matthews leads the M&A team and is well-versed in corporate finance. Lizzie Walters and Spalding-based Emily Wright are highlighted for their strength in corporate restructuring, while Beth Wallace in Alconbury is skilled in corporate finance. All of the individuals that have been mentioned split their time between Spalding and Alconbury unless stated otherwise.
Responsables de la pratique:
Martin Jinks
Autres avocats clés:
Mike Matthews; Lizzie Walters; Emily Wright; Beth Wallace
Les références
‘Mike Matthews is a highly experienced and friendly solicitor. He was always available via telephone or Zoom, and he always offered sound solutions to various challenges that arose during the course of the transaction.’
‘Mike Matthews met all the deadlines necessary to complete the transaction, kept us informed of progress, was very knowledgeable, and gave competent and straightforward advice when needed.’
‘Mike Matthews made a difficult process manageable. Mike is very client-centric, enabling us to understand the processes involved and alleviating our concerns.’
Principaux clients
Ceres Rural LLP
TC Bulley Davey Limited
BA Bush & Son Limited
FESA (UK) Limited
Peterborough Renewable Energy Limited
Frontier Agriculture Limited
Pigeon Investment Management Limited
Inivos Scientific Limited
Specialist Health Solutions Limited
Lawrence David Limited
Sakata UK Limited
Fortis Hire
Italian Beverage Company Limited
AB Texel
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Delightful Food Group Limited on the acquisition of March Foods Limited.
- Advised A B Texel UK Limited on the acquisition of Aitken & Merry Contractors.
- Advised the shareholders of MarketplaceAmp on the sale to Optimizon.
Wilkin Chapman LLP
Wilkin Chapman LLP’s key strengths lie in equity and debt financing transactions, franchise agreements, M&A, and partnership restructurings. With extensive experience, Ian Sherburn leads the practice from Grimsby and is a strong choice for entities operating in the petrochemical and retail insurance industries. In Grimsby, Adam Ottley handles commercial contracts, as well as company sales, acquisitions, and re-organisations. Working out of Lincoln, Limara Rickell is skilled at corporate governance, commercial, and shareholder agreements.
Responsables de la pratique:
Ian Sherburn
Autres avocats clés:
Adam Ottley; Limara Rickell
Les références
‘The practice manages to blend youth and experience in servicing their clients. There is a willingness to work collaboratively with other professionals to provide clients with a successful outcome.’
‘The individuals from the practice demonstrated in-depth knowledge within their field of expertise, working with colleagues from different departments so as to provide clients with a truly rounded service. The practice has demonstrated the ability to anticipate and deal with issues so as to keep transactions on course.’
‘The team at Wilkin Chapman have been absolutely fantastic, they have gone above and beyond their remit. Without their dedication, hard work, and continuous input our deal would never have been achieved.’
Principaux clients
Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery Limited
Blackrow Group
GHA Investments Ltd
St Lawrence Academies Trust Ltd
Tong Engineering Limited
Unitas Wholesale Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Blackrow Group on the management buyout of an established engineering group.
- Advised Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery Limited on a licensor agreement relating to its carbon capture project.
- Advised Unitas Wholesale Limited on the buyback of shares from members.
Wilson Browne Solicitors
Wilson Browne Solicitors‘ broad caseload encompasses corporate restructuring, franchising, governance, as well as shareholder agreements. Holly Threlfall leads the team from Northampton and is knowledgeable of partnership agreements, restructuring, and succession planning; she is also praised as ‘knowledgeable, dedicated, and approachable.’ In Corby, Duncan Crowther is skilled at equity investment and lending, M&A, and shareholder arrangements. Northampton-based Andrew Kerr handles commercial agreements and management buy-outs, while in Corby, Jessica Hooley is well-versed in charity law.
Responsables de la pratique:
Holly Threlfall
Autres avocats clés:
Duncan Crowther; Andrew Kerr; Jessica Hooley
Les références
‘I have no hesitation in referring clients to the firm. They are a reliable, technically strong team from a variety of backgrounds and have a professional but down-to-earth approach.’
‘The team at Wilson Browne are extremely knowledgeable, very accessible, and meet set deadlines. They keep you updated on any developments without the need to chase them.’
‘Wilson Browne is a very approachable practice with dedicated staff to work with and assist us on all legal matters that arise within our business.’
Principaux clients
Festo Limited
Kingmaker Group Limited
Jalex Limited
Blue Fort Holdings Limited
Jonathan Kitching & David Brown
C Butt Limited
Walkerpack Limited
Associated Engineering Services Limited
PBC Business Recovery and Insolvency Limited
National Education Union (NEU)
Magnus Shoes Limited
Siren Design Limited
Titanium Fireworks Limited
First Business Water Limited
Daylight Centre Fellowship
Edmund Arnolds Charity
Midland Stone Centre Limited
Manuscripti Limited
Deceased Online Limited
Stephensons Online Limited
Innocean UK Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised C Butt Limited on a range of corporate restructuring issues as well as customer and supplier contracts.
- Advised Dawn Farm Foods on commercial contract review.
- Advised two individuals on the sale of Beckworth Limited.
Austin Moore & Partners LLP
Noted for its strength in commercial property and employment matters, Austin Moore & Partners LLP is geared to handle corporate governance, private equity transactions, and reorganisations. Austin Moore leads the practice and is proficient in business and share transactions, joint ventures, and start-up funding. Dav Jaspal is frequently engaged in financing and secured lending, while Laura de Banke is noted for her private equity capabilities. All of the individuals that have been mentioned are located in Nottingham unless stated otherwise.
Responsables de la pratique:
Austin Moore
Autres avocats clés:
Dav Jaspal; Laura de Banke; Rebecca Del Grosso
Principaux clients
AW Lymn The Family Funeral Service
Thrive Learning Limited
Clifton Packaging Group Limited
Smartway
Pharmaseal International Limited
Morvern Group
Durable Brands Limited
Lifeboat Capital Ltd
Embrace Steel Group
Stat Holdings Limited
Gerard Poly Mouldings Ltd
Hydroscand Ltd
Warlord Games
Rock Compliance Holdings Limited
Mornington Partners Limited
GEV Holdings Limited
MA Group Limited
Buster & Punch Holdings Limited
Primis Capital Limited
Clifton Packaging Limited
Foresight Independent Financial Planning Limited
Cloud Orca Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised exiting shareholder on the cross-border acquisition of Gerard Poly Mouldings Limited by US aerospace sector specialists, AE Industrial Partners.
- Advised Stat Holdings Limited on a series of share and business asset acquisitions.
- Acted for the founding shareholders of SalamanderSoft on their exit to private equity backed Education Technology Services.
CMP Legal Limited
Commended for its ‘attractive depth of knowledge and experience,’ CMP Legal Limited’s key strengths lie in corporate restructuring, M&A, and shareholder agreements. Anna Cattee oversees the practice from Chesterfield and is well-informed in healthcare law. The ‘technically accomplished, well-connected and commercially minded’ Cattee is also knowledgeable of distribution agreements.
Responsables de la pratique:
Anna Cattee
Les références
‘The team at CMP have an attractive depth of knowledge and experience coupled with excellent client care skills. They go above and beyond to meet timescales and expectations with first rate advice.’
‘I needed the CMP team to respond in a very timely fashion, and they achieved this completely. I sold my business and dealt with some very complicated issues, which were handled completely efficiently by CMP. Their support staff, their commercial property associates, and their contracts and litigation teams worked seamlessly together.’
‘CMP Legal provides efficient advice and can provide quick turn around times when required.’
Principaux clients
PCT Healthcare Limited
SMH Group
Principaux dossiers
- Advised SMH Group on the purchase of an accountancy practice.
- Advised Peak Pharmacy on a development agreement, JCT agreement, and associated construction contracts for the build and internal fit out for a a £20m central warehousing and office hub in Chesterfield.
- Advised Peak Pharmacy on a share acquisition involving several retail pharmacy branches.