The Business Magazine - Thames Valley

62 corporate finance

The ‘go-to’ law firm for Thames Valley businesses

Readers of this article won’t need me to spell out the strength and strategic importance of the Thames Valley to the UK’s economy, writes Sara Valentine, corporate partner at Osborne Clarke’s Thames Valley office

The projected growth in Reading’s economy is forecast to outpace even that of London, to make Reading the UK’s fastest growing 'city' over the next three years.

... an achievement

which was recognised by our fellow

professionals at the

recent Thames Valley Deals Awards, where we were named Law Firm of the Year

A report from EY attributes much of this success to the concentration of technology businesses in this area, which are predicted to grow by 13% over this period, alongside its successful services sector.

This certainly chimes with our views at Osborne Clarke. Whilst there are a number of economic and political factors that mean there is no room for complacency, we operate in a generally buoyant corporate environment in the Thames Valley, one which saw deal activity increase again last year, with technology and financial services being the dominant sectors.

In the latest edition of The Legal 500, Osborne Clarke was described as a 'go-to' firm for the Thames Valley’s major corporates and we are once again included in the 'top tier' for corporate and commercial work.

The crucial role of the Thames Valley in Osborne Clarke’s

long-term strategy can be seen in our recent office move

Our Thames Valley practice covers all of the key areas of corporate finance, from venture capital, private equity, mergers and acquisitions, banking/acquisition finance to flotations expertise, and boasts some of the firm’s leading corporate finance lawyers:

• Sara Valentine heads up the corporate team in the Thames Valley office and specialises in a broad range of corporate finance transactions including mergers and acquisitions, management buyouts, cross-border deals and general corporate advice;

• Robert Wood leads our venture capital practice and advises investors, management teams and companies on all aspects of investments, including venture and growth capital transactions, private equity buyouts, buy and build projects and exits;

This investment is a

real statement of our commitment to the Thames Valley market

• Greg Leyshon heads up the firm’s business transactions group, specialising in private equity and acting for institutions, management teams and corporates;

• James Massy-Collier acts for a mix of brokers, investment banks and public companies, advising on both the AIM market and the Official List. He represents clients on flotations, fundraisings, takeovers and corporate reconstructions and is also location head of Osborne Clarke’s Thames Valley office;

• Hugh Jones, our banking partner and head of the firm’s financial services sector specialises in acquisition finance. His clients are banks, public and private companies from the UK and abroad and private equity funds.

The past year has seen our team advise on an impressive portfolio of deals, an achievement which was recognised by our fellow professionals at the recent Thames Valley Deals Awards, where we were named Law Firm of the Year.

businessmag.co.uk These transactions included:

• advising broadband satellite operator Avanti Communications plc on its $90 million and $60m fundraising rounds

• acting for Majestic Wine on its £70m acquisition of online retailer Naked Wines

• acting for Lloyds Development Capital on its disposal of social housing contractor and developer United House Developments

• advising Google Ventures on a $60m funding round in music publishing firm Kobalt Music

• acting for one of the Thames Valley’s fast-growth companies, Xeretec, on its acquisition of First Choice Business Systems.

The above represents a snapshot of all the activity we undertake, but as I touched on above, technology and financial services are likely to remain the two busiest sectors for corporate finance work in the area, alongside retail and real estate.

Of course, looking ahead is a crucial part of our job as lawyers. The biggest question mark at the moment is the impending EU referendum vote. As with the General Election last year, we expect to see a more hesitant market until the outcome is clear, especially for those businesses with international interests. Nonetheless we are pleased to report that the moment, business is still buoyant and there are some good corporate finance transactions in the pipeline.

The crucial role of the Thames Valley in Osborne Clarke’s long-term strategy can be seen in our recent office move.

Based in Reading’s Apex Plaza for almost 20 years, we recently relocated to our new 'smart' office in nearby Forbury Place, which embraces the concept of 'connected working' – maximising technology to allow our people to work flexibly, whether that’s at our office, at a client’s office, on the move or at home.

This investment is a real statement of our commitment to the Thames Valley market. We’re confident the area will continue to flourish as a corporate finance hub, particularly in the Digital Business sector, which reinforces our determination to retain our position as the Thames Valley’s pre-eminent corporate law firm. No matter what type of corporate finance advice you’d like to undertake, I’d like to think we’re the best placed team in the Thames Valley to help you.

To speak to Osborne Clarke’s corporate team in the Thames Valley please see details below.

Details:

0118-925-2000 info@osborneclarke.com

THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – JUNE 2016

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