The M&A market in 2014-15 – the route to success
Pitmans is delighted to continue its involvement with the Thames Valley Deals Awards in 2015, where it once again sponsored the Dealmaker award, and was itself shortlisted in two categories. Recognised as 'Outstanding Performers' at 2014’s Thames Valley Deals Awards in the Law Firm of the Year category, Pitmans was this time featured in the Law Firm of the Year category shortlist (sponsored by Grant Thornton) and Lawyer of the Year (sponsored by Taylor Made) which was won by partner Andrew Peddie
A record 600-plus nominations were received for the Thames Valley Deals Awards reflecting the upbeat mood in the marketplace and increased deal flow levels. Against this backdrop of record entry levels, these category shortlistings reflect Pitmans’ excellent year in leading corporate transactions. With core strengths in advising corporate buyers and entrepreneurial sellers, dedicated private equity specialism and with expertise across a wide range of industry sectors, the team is well placed to deliver beyond legal advice, acting as introducers and facilitators to create new opportunities for those throughout the region.
Pitmans’ corporate team has completed an extremely diverse range of transactions over the past 15 months and there remains a hugely varied pipeline of opportunities for the rest of 2015. The team has completed 37 deals over the period covered by the 2015 Deals Awards, with combined deal value in excess of £400 million.
While Pitmans’ has had a fantastic 12 months there remain a number of substantial transactions it has been working on which have yet to complete. To an extent in recent weeks there are signs of a pause while it waits for the outcome of the UK Election. There are suggestions that “entrepreneurs’ relief” on capital gains tax may be under scrutiny within HMRC and the Treasury, hence enthusiasm for deal participants to have closed transactions by March 31, failing which some are waiting until after May 7, it would seem. Certainly the outcome of this Election is perceived as very important to the business community in the Thames Valley.
Pitmans’ interpretation of the current climate is that whilst we are in a period of sustained growth and increasing levels of corporate finance activity, the bedrock of a successful corporate law practice continues to be founded on long-term relationships rather than
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MAY 2015
one-off deals. Pitmans has undertaken its share of one-off sale transactions and that of course forms a key component of its work load, but its strongest client relationships are long-term, and founded on broader corporate advice. Its key clients all receive advice across their corporate activity, on M&A transactions, commercial contracts, property, employment and pensions matters. It is its unmatched breadth and depth of expertise that, Pitmans believes, allows it to supply a range of clients’ legal needs problems, but many of those relationships are at root corporate deal- doing clients.
Having built its reputation across the region it enjoys making introductions and facilitating opportunities for the benefit of its clients, networks and referral firms. As a leading law firm in the south, Pitmans dealmakers regularly initiate and lead deals – and it works with a wide range of other advisers across the region bringing deals to completion. It was also involved in its own deal recently when Pitmans acquired Lamport Bassitt in Southampton and it is pleased to extend our working relationship with The Business Magazine across both the Thames Valley and Solent Deals Awards in 2015.
Commenting on the nomination and the work undertaken by Pitmans’ corporate team, Andrew Peddie said: “I’m delighted that the work of our team has been recognised by the judges. Overall, the quality of our clients, our deep expertise and our market-leading specialisms in key sectors combine to make Pitmans an unequalled proposition for top-level corporate advice throughout the Thames Valley.”
Team highlights over past 12 months:
• The growth in the team with private equity and venture capital specialist Roger Gregory settling in well and new joiners Jasmine Murphy (formerly of
www.businessmag.co.uk Andrew Peddie, partner
Mark Metcalfe, director
Osborne Clarke) and Oliver Pilkington (formerly of K&L Gates) further strengthening the team.
• In its first quarter in the spring/summer its revenues were higher than they have been for six years, and there continues to be a strong and varied pipeline of work coming through.
• The acquisition of Lamport Bassitt, bringing Sean Kelly (Solent Lawyer of the Year 2014) and his team into the wider corporate team at Pitmans.
Details:
Andrew Peddie 0118-9570321
apeddie@pitmans.com
Mark Metcalfe 0118-9570266
mmetcalfe@pitmans.com
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