24 corporate finance


Entrepreneurs to exit plans – legal support every step of the way


Being seen as a trusted partner throughout the life cycle of a business is a key differentiator for Henmans’ corporate and commercial team, writes Alison Dewar


The word that Rachel McCullough, partner and head of the corporate team, chooses to describe its approach is “embedded” – ensuring there is the total understanding of a client’s aims and objectives.


“The way we work is by building wider relationships with our clients. We’re not just there for the merger and acquisition or the exit plan, we like to be involved at the early stages too, so we know what their plans are, and they trust us to do a good job,” she said.


“We see ourselves as much more than just corporate lawyers – ‘real people’ who speak our clients’ language, understand their business and what drives them. We get to know their life plan as well as their business plan and we’re interested in them as people, not just as clients.”


Malcolm Sadler, senior partner at Henmans, who has been with the firm for over 30 years, leads the commercial department.


“A lot of clients come to us for our reputation. Once they are here, they see the energy and knowledge that we put into our work,” he said. “Project management is top of our agenda, we’re always thinking about ideas, looking for different ways to do things. We are genuinely committed and people recognise that about us.”


The pair are clearly proud to lead what they refer to as a “really good and solid, joined-up team” and are keen to expand over the next year.


Respected for his analytical approach, derived in part from his degree in Natural Sciences, Sadler’s lengthy track record covers a wide range of sectors, including healthcare and pharmaceutical, environment and telecoms.


He is probably best known locally however, for his expertise and in-depth understanding in the IT, publishing and information sectors, providing advice for clients on everything from digital publishing agreements and territorial distribution rights, through to copyright issues and the value of intellectual property.


Sadler sees an important part of his role as being able to add value: “When we are negotiating contracts, it’s about spotting opportunities as well as managing the legal process. For example, we helped one client expand into some 60 different territories, ensuring we were able to create and add enterprise value to his business.”


McCullough joined Henmans nine years ago, having worked predominantly in the food technology and telecoms sectors in the 1990s.


www.businessmag.co.uk Malcolm Sadler and Rachel McCullough


Today her clients include retail, banking and finance, IT and telecoms.


Originally from a farming background, she is delighted that the county’s rural landscape has also enabled her to reclaim her countryside roots. She loves nothing more than to don her wellies and talk diversification with the rural community. “A lot of farmers, land-owners and large estates are selling land into joint ventures, anything from property or leisure deals to investment in wind or photovoltaic farms,” she said. “These can be complex multi-million pound deals so it’s very important for me to work closely with our property, planning and tax teams to ensure we get the structure right and the client has the best results.”


With the city renowned as a centre of entrepreneurism, Henmans works closely with both universities and schools, sponsoring Oxford Entrepreneurs, which encourages and supports student entrepreneurship; as well as Oxford Business X (OBX), an enterprise programme for Oxford’s secondary schools.


“We act for a lot of serial entrepreneurs who sell their companies and then look to re-invest, we want to encourage them to do that with the next generation,” said Sadler, an OBX trustee and student mentor.


“We provide training, advice and feedback to students, encouraging them to develop the skills they need to run a successful business in the future.


“A lot of people have fantastic ideas but it’s about taking them forward with practical skills,


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – JUNE 2012


challenging them, showing them what it is like in the real world.”


Both Sadler and McCullough take great satisfaction in working with business owners, seeing an organisation grow from early embryonic days, through the expansion stages and finally to successful sale.


And, with Henmans boasting the largest private client team in the Thames Valley, they are keen to point out the range of legal services, such as trusts, tax and inheritance planning, which the practice can offer under one roof.


“Having such an extensive team means we can offer a joined-up service, clients don’t want to have to go elsewhere to manage their private legal affairs. Here, they don’t have to,” concluded Sadler.


“It’s about taking a holistic approach to our clients’ lifestyle and being able to deliver what they want, when they want it – something we love to do.”


Details:


Malcolm Sadler malcolm.sadler@henmansllp.co.uk


Rachel McCullough rachel.mccullough@henmansllp.co.uk


01865-781000 www.henmansllp.co.uk


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