Local News

LOCAL NEWS

Moore Barlow’s corporate team completes deals worth £830m in record-breaking run

Team completes one deal a week in the run up to the 2020/21 tax year end

Moore Barlow’s corporate team has completed a record period of activity, having advised on deals with a combined value of more than £830m during the 16-week period to 5 April – an average of one deal per week.

Jeremy Over

Led by corporate partner Jeremy Over, the team supported businesses across multiple industries – from technology, hospitality, media and healthcare, to security, transport and logistics – as they looked to crystallise their growth ambitions.

During the three-month period preceding the 2021 Budget, the team saw transactions and deal-making volume increase significantly as investors looked to reduce the impact of capital gains tax increases that had been rumoured to be introduced.

Deals in March included the team acting for the buyer of Hampshire-based care provider, Auckland Care, on a management buyout backed by finance provider ThinCats; and in February the team supported Southampton-headquartered New Path Fire and Security on its complementary acquisition of Advance Security.

Technology, media and telecommunications remained an active sector for the firm with the team advising ThirdSpace, the UK’s leading professional services provider of Microsoft identity and cyber security solutions, as it joined forces with TiG, one of the leading cloud, data analytics and managed services providers to the financial services sector.

This followed the flotation of Bytes Technology Group on the London Stock Exchange in December, a deal that valued the business at £780m. This was the largest single deal the team supported during the period and marked the high point of Moore Barlow’s 20-year relationship with Bytes, during which Peter Jeffery’s team has advised on myriad legal matters including disposals, acquisitions, disputes and contracts.

Commenting on the unprecedented period, Jeremy said: “Despite firms spending the last three months in their third national lockdown, the sheer scale and value of deals we have supported showcase the drive and determination of many businesses to push ahead regardless. The increase in deals in the run up to the March Budget is also a clear indication of the impact potential policy announcements have on deal-making decisions.

“It’s encouraging to see deals across a variety of sectors, and our support of businesses in the technology, media and telecommunications sector is indicative of the demand we’re seeing for resilient firms with sustainable business models. Increased competition is pushing valuations upwards, and it is definitely a sellers’ market as we head into the second quarter of the year.

“Looking ahead, we have a strong pipeline of activity and are expecting to see more interest from business owners seeking to buy or sell a company, in addition to those wanting to raise finance to drive growth. For many of our clients, the support of a legal partner that not only understands the sector they operate in, but also their local market, is imperative to achieving a successful completion and we’re looking forward to continuing our support of ambitious businesses across the South of England.”

The 22-strong corporate team at Moore Barlow is one of the largest in the South of England. With offices in Guildford, Southampton, Lymington, Working, Richmond and London, the team is well placed to support clients in London and along the M3 corridor, as well as around the South Coast. ■

Charles Russell Speechlys ‘Highly Commended’ as South of England Probate Law Firm

Charles Russell Speechlys in Guildford was ‘Highly Commended’ at the UK Probate Awards 2021 in the category of Best Probate Law Firm, South England.

The UK Probate Research Awards, known as the Probies, recognise excellence in law firm service delivery and the support given by law firms to probate researchers. They celebrate the achievements and skills of forensic genealogists, recognising the best of the best.

Charles Russell Speechlys’ estate administration hub in Guildford is ranked in the top tiers for both Legal 500 and Chambers Legal Directories and has a reputation for being caring, approachable and highly skilled. Led by highly experienced and specialised lawyers, Charles Russell Speechlys’ dedicated probate offering enables clients to benefit from access to lawyers from other specialisms within the firm, such as private property, real estate disputes, private wealth disputes and insolvency, to assist with complex estates.

Sally Ashford

Sally Ashford, Partner, Charles Russell Speechlys comments, “Huge congratulations to the whole team on receiving the ‘Highly Commended’ Award at the Probies. This is a strong reflection of the expertise provided by our team and also recognises our hard work and achievements over the last year.

“This has been our first year on the panel of preferred lawyers for Finders International Genealogists who are famed heir hunters, locating missing beneficiaries across the world. Our relationship with Finders has blossomed and we are thrilled that they nominated us as Best Probate Law Firm in the South.”

Charles Russell Speechlys employs over 160 staff in its Guildford office at One London Square and provides a full range of services to businesses and private clients in the region, backed by the resources of an international law firm. ■

Will Aid needs you!

Will Aid is a national will-writing campaign that takes place every November.

Founded by solicitors in 1988 in response to Live Aid, and to reinforce the importance of having a professionally written will, Will Aid has been raising vital donations for nine of the UK’s best loved charities for over 30 years.

Each year local solicitors volunteer their time to write wills for people and instead of charging a fee, ask clients to make a voluntary donation to Will Aid. The money raised supports the vital work of the Will Aid partner charities: Age UK, ActionAid, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, SCIAF, Sightsavers and Trocaire.

In the 2020 campaign, Will Aid raised over £650K, helping the nine partner charities continue their life-saving work after what has been an extremely challenging year.

The scheme is currently recruiting solicitors in Surrey where there has been huge demand for wills in recent years. Previous participating solicitors say Will Aid has not only helped them with generating positive local publicity, but it has also introduced them to valuable new clients, many of which have used other services they offer.

Local firm Audley Chaucer Solicitors was pleased to take part in Will Aid for the first time in 2020 and became the highest donating new firm raising over £13,000. After being presented with their certificate for their successful first year they spoke of the benefits of being involved in the campaign and highly recommends it to other local firms.

Kay Stewart, Partner of Audley Chaucer, stated: “We were thrilled to be involved in the 2020 campaign and are very proud of the total our team has raised. Will Aid has brought a great sense of achievement to the team and allowed us to give back to our local community. We are very much looking forward to taking part in the 2021 campaign and we can’t wait to continue supporting these amazing charities who have been so significantly affected by the pandemic.”

To raise the profile of your business, meet new clients and help charities bounce back from the impact of the pandemic, sign up to the 2021 campaign today!

www.willaid.org.uk/solicitors

Larissa Bourgi and Joseph Beams, Audley Chaucer Solicitors

Stevens & Bolton Partners with The School of Law at University of Surrey to Support Start-up Initiatives

Guildford-based law firm Stevens & Bolton has announced that it is working alongside The School of Law at the University of Surrey, as part of their new Business Start- Up Clinic to inspire students and recent graduates in their entrepreneurial endeavours.

The clinic provides free legal guidance to those who are interested in starting up their own business via a 20-minute virtual session on Zoom. As the clinic’s sole partner, Stevens & Bolton’s team of specialist lawyers are available to signpost legal topics that are relevant to an early-stage business and provide insight on a range of legal matters – everything from shareholder arrangements and corporate structure, funding and finance and human resources and intellectual property issues through to acquisition and disposal of a business.

The first clinic took place on 5 May 2021, with an initial cohort of six student and graduate entrepreneurs, and the next session is scheduled take place in the latter half of October. However, after very positive feedback from the first session, a clinic during the summer holiday is under also consideration. Anyone interested in getting involved should email businessstartupclinic@surrey.ac.uk or visit The School of Law at the University of Surrey website.

Elizabeth Williams, principal teaching fellow in law and director of clinical legal education programmes at the University of Surrey, commented, “The business start-up clinic provides a unique learning experience for our law undergraduates and gives University of Surrey students who are interested in starting their own business valuable expert guidance. We are delighted to be working with Stevens & Bolton and thank their lawyers for this wonderful collaborative opportunity. The Stevens and Bolton team engaged with our students in a unique way. Their approach was inspiring and fundamental as our students were able to develop key business entrepreneurial skills. It made our students realise their enormous potential and capabilities in this fascinating area”.

Nick Atkins

Nick Atkins, corporate partner at Stevens & Bolton commented, “We are delighted to be a part of this new initiative with the University of Surrey and show our commitment to the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. We would like to wish everyone that we have met so far with the greatest success. We are grateful to the university for involving us in this initiative, and we’ve been super impressed by the calibre of the business plans and the enterprising approach of the university’s students and graduates.” ■

Wheelers Solicitors, part of the Morrisons Group, expands into new Farnborough office

Leading regional law firm, Wheelers Solicitors, which became part of the Morrisons Group in January 2020, is delighted to announce the opening of their new Farnborough office location. Over the last year or so, the Farnborough team has been growing and expanding the services that they offer to commercial clients in the region. As such, they have outgrown their previous offices and are now moving to new, larger offices in The Hub at Farnborough Business Park. The new office will serve as the Group’s regional base from which they will support commercial clients across west Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire, as well as providing a convenient location for continuing to support private clients in the region.

With Morrisons Solicitors’ acquisition of Wheelers in January 2020, the firm has strengthened its presence in the region, building upon Wheelers’ excellent reputation. The Morrisons Group now has offices in Farnborough, Camberley, Fleet, and Ash Vale, as well as offices in Teddington, Wimbledon, Redhill and Oxted. This has consolidated the Morrisons Group as one of the leading firms across the South East and has given clients access to a greater depth of resources and legal expertise.

Wheelers Partner Mel McCrum, said: “Since joining the Morrisons Group we have been able to offer an even broader range of legal services, which has allowed us to continue providing outstanding service and expertise to all our clients. This move to our new Farnborough location is the next exciting step in strengthening our position in the region, particularly for our corporate and commercial teams.”

Whilst the new office location will serve as a central hub for both business clients and private individuals, the Farnborough team will focus on the firm’s corporate and commercial service offering as the Morrisons Group continues to strengthen their comprehensive legal services for businesses, which includes corporate and commercial services, commercial property, employment and dispute resolution.

Paul Harvey, Managing Partner of the Morrisons Group, commented: “We knew at the time of merging with Wheelers Solicitors that there was great opportunity for development in the region with the combined ambitions and expertise of both firms. Despite the uncertain circumstances faced by most businesses over the last year and half, we have been delighted to see continued growth, which has led us to expanding our team and the space from which they operate. I am excited about the great things the team will achieve from our new base in the region.”

The teams have been busy behind the scenes in preparation for the move and the office opening date of Monday 21st June, and they look forward to welcoming their clients and contacts to the new offices as soon as the easing of restrictions allows. ■

Downs Solicitors announces Partner promotions in two Surrey offices

Surrey-based law firm, Downs Solicitors, has promoted two senior associates to the role of partner, strengthening the firm’s activity as it emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jenna Hopkins, Senior Associate in the Private Client department in Godalming and Gemma Taylor, Senior Associate in the Residential Property team in Dorking will be promoted to partner from 1st July 2021.

As an experienced Private Client solicitor, Jenna Hopkins has developed her career over the past decade helping clients to draft wills and Powers of Attorney, as well as advising on the administration of estates and tax planning. She started her role at Downs Solicitors in 2018 and also holds a STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates and is a member of the Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE).

Gemma Taylor has more than 12 years’ experience in the property sector, specialising in residential property work such as freehold and leasehold sales and purchases. She also advises on re-mortgages and transfers of equity as well as shared ownership and Help To Buy transactions.

Alongside the two promotions, Downs Solicitors is pleased to announce that Laura Marchington has become a qualified Notary Public – a specialist solicitor who can prepare, attest, authenticate and certify deeds and other documents intended for use anywhere in the world. Laura’s qualification is a significant milestone for the firm as there are few Notary Publics around, but Downs Solicitors now has four.

This news comes as fellow Notary Public, Sarah Thomas, announces her forthcoming retirement in October.

Senior Partner, Chris Millar, said: “As we reach the other side and look towards a post-pandemic world, both Jenna and Gemma’s impressive track record within their respective teams will dovetail into their new roles as partner. They both have a very strong ethos when it comes to client care and making clients’ journeys as pain free as possible.

I would like to offer my congratulations to Jenna, Gemma and Laura, as well as extend my very best wishes to Sarah as she enters retirement this October.” ■

(Left to right): Gemma Taylor, Jenna Hopkins and Laura Marchington

Stevens & Bolton posts strong financial results with 11th consecutive year of growth

Guildford-based law firm Stevens & Bolton LLP has unveiled strong financial results for 2020/2021 with growth in turnover, profit, and profit per equity partner (PEP).

In spite of the pandemic, the firm has seen an impressive financial year with revenue closing at £29.1 million, which represents a 2% increase on last year and the firm’s 11th consecutive year of growth. PEP for the year increased by 10% on 2020.

The results were driven by strong growth in a number of core practice areas. In particular, intellectual property reported a 17% growth on 2020, which brings the total practice growth since 2018 to 111%. The corporate team posted a 10% growth on the previous year and the private wealth practice also grew by 7%. These impressive figures were underpinned by a number of significant instructions over the course of the year, including advising Pizza Hut Restaurants on its CVA, Beretta Holdings on its UK expansion and Seal Software on its sale to Docusign.

In tandem with this sustained growth, Stevens & Bolton has announced a pay rise for all its solicitors, resulting in a median increase of 13% per lawyer, and also full reimbursement to all those who received temporary pay reductions last year as part of a package of financial measures the firm took in response to the immediate financial effect of COVID-19.

Richard King

Commenting on the year’s results, Richard King, Managing Partner at Stevens & Bolton LLP, said: “I am really proud of how the entire firm has pulled together during the past 14 months, and how, as a result of our collective efforts, we haven’t simply managed during a pandemic, but thrived. I am also delighted that our financial results have afforded us the opportunity to reward our stellar team. This builds on our move to an all-equity model in September 2019 – at the time, a regional first. We have long attracted talent from the City and we remain committed to recruiting the industry’s brightest and best minds.”

“These solid financial results provide an excellent platform for us to build on as we begin work on our ambitious 2024 strategic plan. With significant projects in the pipeline, an ever-growing roster of impressive clients and a highly talented team, it’s exciting to see where our ambitions take us next.” ■

Surrey Law Society Past President’s Championship Cup - SLS social events are back!

24th June saw the return of Surrey Law Society’s social events programme and we were thrilled that so many of you could join us for this very special occasion.

The competition, which was held for the second time at Daytona Sandown Park, saw members and sponsors compete as teams of 3 in a 1.5 hour endurance race. This was a toughly fought contest between the 12 teams, with many different tactics deployed by our drivers to try and win the hotly contested trophy. In the end it was Gordons Partnership LLP who triumphed, followed by our sponsors from Guildford Chambers and then Elite Law Solicitors. Those who came to spectate, enjoyed a delicious BBQ, drinks and networking, whilst also listening to the brilliantly funny commentary from the team at Daytona and enjoying a beautiful sunset over the track. The evening concluded with our podium presentation to the winners and a speech delivered by Past President and Chair of the Social Sub- Committee, James Scozzi, which recognised the work of our two most recent past Presidents, Nick Ball and Victoria Clarke.

Social events have always been integral part of the Society’s offering to members, but this was a particularly special occasion, where everyone in attendance recognised how refreshing it was to be meeting face to face. The pandemic has taught us a lot about communicating virtually and working remotely, but sometimes, there really is nothing like a get-together in the flesh! Here’s hoping we see you at the next one! ■