Burnetts continues to be recognised as a leading corporate and commercial firm in the North, particularly in Cumbria, for its M&A expertise. The Carlisle-based team has been involved in high-profile transactions; acting for PLCs, SMEs, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals, the firm advises on acquisitions and disposals across sectors such as the nuclear, engineering, and professional services spaces. Head of team Michael Walby specialises in high-value M&A, while Jennifer Bell brings expertise in corporate finance, restructurings, joint ventures, and commercial contracts.
Corporate and commercial: Elsewhere in the North in North
Burnetts
Responsables de la pratique:
Michael Walby
Autres avocats clés:
Jennifer Bell
Les références
‘Excellent team. Good quality advice for corporate transactions.’
‘Michael Walby is the go-to person for corporate transactions. Exceptional knowledge and practical advice.’
‘Local area business knowledge and a family business feel.’
Principaux clients
InvestAcc Plc
Cowens Limited
Bridge Mills (Property) LLP
Cumbria Waste Management Limited
Armstrong Watson LLP
Thomas Graham & Sons Limited
Watsco Limited
Lloyd Motors Limited
Smith & Co (Holdings) Limited
H & H Group Plc
Principaux dossiers
- Advised the shareholders of InvestAcc on the sale to Marwyn Acquisition Company.
- Advised Armstrong Watson LLP on its acquisition of Gibbons Accountants and Gibbons Wealth Management.
- Advised Thomas Graham & Sons Ltd on the acquisition of B.L. Gilbert (Barrow) Limited.
Swinburne Maddison LLP
Swinburne Maddison LLP’s corporate and commercial team is highly regarded for its expertise, particularly in M&A, private equity, corporate finance, and commercial services work. The team handles a broad range of transactional work, primarily within the region, while also advising on national and cross-border matters. Clients span multiple sectors, including the leisure, recruitment, transport, and technology industries, with a growing presence in the fintech and software spaces. The firm acts for SMEs, large corporates, listed entities, banks, and private equity funds. Team head Martyn Tennant specialises in transactions and corporate restructurings, while Alex Wilby leads on private equity and venture capital deals. Craig Malarkey is noted for corporate finance mandates and high-value M&A.
Responsables de la pratique:
Martyn Tennant
Autres avocats clés:
Alex Wilby; Craig Malarkey; Matthew Ray; Rebecca Logue
Les références
‘The corporate team works very collaboratively and provides an excellent level of service which is on par with large national firms, but they have a local and personable approach. As a client, you feel like you are important to them and they take care to ensure that they do what they promise to do. The team are pragmatic in their approach, which is important when dealing with commercial matters.’
‘The individuals are very attentive and client-focused with a strong desire to assist where possible to provide an excellent service. Matryn Tennant and Matthew Ray in the corporate team have been fantastic.’
‘Craig Malarkey is helpful, kind, understanding, gets to know you and will always look to try to help you and achieve desired outcomes.’
Principaux clients
Waterstons Limited
Otis Holdings Northern Limited
Durham Cathedral
The Esh Group
Atom Bank plc
Hargreaves Services plc
Sirius Engineering Limited
Beyond Housing Limited (formerly Coast and Country Housing Limited)
Handelsbanken plc
Hadrian Technology Limited
St John’s College, Durham
Teescraft Engineering Limited
Maven Capital Partners
Ocucon Limited
Howarth Litchfield Partnership Limited
Elddis Transport (Consett) Limited
Land Technologies Ltd
Co. Durham Land LLP
The Auckland Project
Metatech Limited
Silent Games Ltd
Seriös Group Limited
Peridot Partners Limited
Pantheon Macroeconomic Ltd
Savannah Group Limited
MTrec Limited
Mechplant (North East) Limited
Education World Limited
Low Carbon Materials Limited
Opencast Software Europe Limited
Lyceum Capital Property Partners Ltd
National Print Solutions Group Limited
Atkinson Print Limited
Countrywide Property Group Holdings Limited
Mercia Asset Management PLC
P&S Medical Professionals Limited
John Wade (Holdings) Limited
Quorum Development Limited
Leo Vegas plc
Hodgson Fish Holdings Limited
Aurora Home Care Ltd
Durham Women’s Football Club Ltd
Forma-Care (UK) Ltd
Smart Media Group Ltd
VPI Products UK Limited
Kinetic Private Investments
Dipwood Holdings Limited
Encodian Solutions Limited
Harlow Printing Limited
Mobile Rocket Limited
Premier Traffic Management Limited
Wyn Construction Limited
Quay Energy Solutions Limited
UK Direct Business Solutions (Group) Limited t/a Direct Business Solutions
Phoenix Wholesale & Distribution Limited t/a Phoenix 2 Retail
Biker Group
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Maven Capital Partners UK LLP on its role as fund manager for the NPIF II and Finance Durham Funds on the £3m follow on investment in Power Roll Limited.
- Issued share capital of the company to private equity backed Agora Education as part of the businesses buy and build global strategy. The acquisition forms the platform for Agora to pursue growth in the UK market.
- Advised the shareholders of Genesis Brands Limited on the sale of the entire issued share capital of the company to French multinational flooring expert, Geflor.
Ward Hadaway LLP
Ward Hadaway LLP’s corporate and commercial team, which is comprised of the former Endeavour Partnership LLP group, continues to thrive in the local market and beyond, securing roles in key regional deals while attracting national and international clients. Based in Stockton-on-Tees, the team is frequently sought after for strategic counsel on corporate transactions. Head of department James Butler specialises in corporate advisory work, including M&A, restructurings, and employee ownership structures. Nik Tunley focuses on small to mid-market M&A, while Nigel Williams has over 30 years of experience assisting local owner-managers. Martin McKinnell handles complex corporate matters, Jessica Lenham and Jessica Quayle focus on corporate transactions, and Sean Jackson has a strong presence in the technology sector.
Responsables de la pratique:
James Butler
Autres avocats clés:
Nik Tunley; Nigel Williams; Martin McKinnell; Deborah Kirtley; Jessica Lenham; Sean Jackson; Jessica Quayle
Les références
‘The team is highly client focused and delivers an excellent standard of client care.’
‘I value their proactive approach and sensible advice.’
‘Proactive, commercial and willing to go the extra mile.’
Principaux clients
ABCA Systems Limited
A.V.Dawson Limited
Coatham Arena Limited
EMG Solicitors Limited
FRP Advisory LLP
Growth Capital Ventures Limited
Cowie Technology Limited
Host & Stay Group Limited
JMAC Group (Holdings) Limited
JT Atkinson & Sons Limited
Lindy Electronics Limited
LJJ Ltd
Racz Group Ltd
Leader Online Holdings Limited
Tees Valley Combined Authority
Visualsoft Limited
Arbtech Consulting Limited
Salesfire Limited
Country Valley Foods Limited
Vas Panel Limited
Downs Holdings Limited
Green Vets Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Acted on the disposal of Arbtech Consulting Ltd, a leading ecological consultancy business, to Inflexion-backed Celnor Group.
- Advised the shareholders of Host & Stay Group Limited, one of the UK’s premier holiday home management companies, on its investment by Growth Partner.
- Acting for Australian company Source Certain International Limited on its acquisition of UK food origin verification and testing/certification company Agroisolab UK Limited.