Sector Focus


Legal


Sponsored by: Thursfields Solicitors


Private equity-led deals on rise in turbulent year


Achieving a financial settlement on divorce


The corporate team at Gateley Legal has seen an increase in private equity led deals during the last 12 months, despite Covid-19. Gateley Legal is the legal arm of professional


services group Gateley, which has an office in Birmingham. The team advised on 94 transactions involving


By Eilidh Rose, associate solicitor, family team


When making the decision to separate, there are a number of matters which need to be considered. The divorce process is


usually straightforward and should not involve parties attending court. However, even after divorce proceedings have concluded, ex-spouse’s financial claims against one another remain open unless a financial settlement has been recorded within a court order. Such a court order will


ensure a financial settlement is legally binding on both parties and dismisses each party’s financial claim against the other in life and in death. A financial settlement can


be reached in different ways, such as negotiations between solicitors, meditation or court proceedings. Whichever format is used, it is always advisable for there to be an exchange of financial information so both parties are aware what the other has available. There may be a requirement for valuations of properties, businesses and/or pensions. When all assets have been disclosed and valued, negotiations can take place to reach a financial settlement either by agreement or through court. By whichever means a financial settlement is reached, it is the making of the Court Order that will ensure your future assets are protected.


For further information please contact Eilidh Rose, associate solicitor in the family team at Thursfields on 0121 227 3375 or erose@thursfields.co.uk


76 CHAMBERLINK February 2021


private equity in 2020, which is a third of all corporate and banking deals completed by the firm. According to market intelligence platform Experian Market IQ, Gateley Legal’s corporate, banking and restructuring teams are currently ranked the most active deal advisers in the Midlands, after advising on 43 corporate deals which involved a Midland-based firm for the first nine months of 2020.


‘Our private equity driven activity has stayed strong throughout the year’


The Gateley teams


have maintained this top position regionally for the fourth year in a row and have been recognised as top deal adviser nationally for the last three years. Gateley Legal’s headline deals from


2020 included advising clothing firm GymShark on a minority investment by General Atlantic and advising on the sale of Chase Distillery to spirits and beers giant Diageo. Gateley also advised TTC Group on their acquisition of


Licence Bureau, LDC on its investment in Ross Trustees, Swedish company Sdiptech on its acquisition of Alerter Group in UK and Trackwise Designs Plc on its latest round of fundraising on AIM. Tom Durrant, corporate partner and head of


the corporate team at Gateley Legal, said: “It’s been an uncertain and turbulent year for many businesses. The legal sector in particular has been tested, but our private equity driven activity has stayed strong throughout the year. “As we look ahead to 2021, there are encouraging signs that businesses are becoming more confident that they will be able to successfully emerge from the crisis. “We continue to work around


the clock to help clients navigate these unchartered waters, and look forward with more confidence to an increasingly active deals market.” Gateley Legal has a team


of more than 70 corporate lawyers nationally, who


advise private and public companies, owner-managed


Tom Durrant: turbulent year


Lawyers leave offices for new service hub


Shakespeare Martineau is leaving its Solihull office to set up what it calls a new open plan ‘service hub’ at Radcliffe House, Warwick Road. The firm says that the new office


is part of a strategy to support ‘agile working’, and will provide space for anyone who is unable to work remotely, as well as client meetings. Karen Walker, chief


transformation officer at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “We want all of our people to work where, how and when they need to, to use their time and balance their life effectively. “Solihull will be the first example


of our new ‘service hub’ set up – which provides space for our teams to meet up and work together when needed, or to meet local clients. “As part of this strategy, each


region will also have a ‘client and collaboration’ hub to facilitate larger meetings, networking events, training seminars, knowledge sharing and encourage collaboration between teams, offices and regions. “Every hub will still provide space for our teams to conduct business


as usual work, for those that need to work at their local office space and for clients to visit their local teams.” Shakespeare Martineau has been


operating from Solihull for more than eight years. The firm says it remains committed to the region and has taken 4,700 square feet at Radcliffe House.


Shakespeare has also helped residential developer One Heritage Group PLC to get listed on the London Stock Exchange. One Heritage Group established


its UK office and operation in Manchester in 2019 and is looking to expand to other regions across the UK, such as the East and West Midlands and Yorkshire. Shakespeare partner Keith


Spedding said: “It’s been great to be able to assist One Heritage Group in its listing on the London Stock Exchange. This opens up exciting opportunities for the Group and they will become a major force in the co-living market, a growing and important area of property development.”


businesses and entrepreneurs on a wide range of corporate matters.


Law firm advises on freight sale


Birmingham and Solihull law firm Wilkes Partnership has advised the former owner of a Bordesley Green freight company on selling the business to its management. The firm is LTS Global Solutions, which was sold via a management buy-out to a team led by managing director Dave Hands and the firm’s director of international services, Mirza Baig. LTS was established in 1999


and employs 60 people at its based at Tilton Road, Bordesley Green. The firm was sold by


founder Les Nunn, who has now retired. Mr Hands said: “Our


business has always been known for its impeccable customer service, reliability and knowledge of global logistics. This deal will enable us to bring in new thinking and further investment to realise our ambitious growth plans.”


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