Society News

Ben Rothery, Tony Whittaker and Rachel Dear

Law firm mfg Solicitors advise on multi-million Brierley Hill industrial estate sale

A Midlands law firm has advised on the multi-million pound sale of a well-known Black Country industrial estate.

Commercial property specialists at mfg Solicitors have handled a deal worth around £6million which has seen the Delph Industrial Estate in Brierley Hill purchased by property group, Telereal Trillium.

The seven-acre estate, which has 40 units let by a range of local businesses, has been sold by veteran Black Country businessman, Tony Whittaker, who opened the once derelict site in 1982 to help create new jobs.

Partner Ben Rothery and colleague Rachel Dear acted on behalf of Mr Whittaker on the deal which was completed in just four weeks.

Ben Rothery said: “The Delph Industrial Estate has provided jobs for hundreds of people over the past 40 years and been given a terrific base and launchpad for many businesses. Tony and his family have built the estate up from scratch and rightly gained a reputation as a businessman who has the community at heart.

“We were delighted to play such a central role in the deal and to complete it in just one month. It now allows Tony to move onto other projects, whilst also ensuring ownership is transferred to wellestablished company like Telereal Triiium who understand the estate’s history and importance.”

“We have built the estate up from what was a series of derelict buildings and yards after the sad demise of the Round Oak works in the 1970s. It gives us immense pleasure to have completed the project and leave things in good hands.

“We have managed the site through some extremely tough times over the past four decades but it has been great to see so many businesses continue to grow and thrive from it – including our own family business, Midland Fabric and Bar.

“I want to praise the superb work from Ben and Rachel to get the deal across the line smoothly and in an unbelievable timescale. Their advice and support has been first-class.”

Mr Whittaker, 78, a former national weightlifting champion who was born on the same road as the industrial estate, has carved out a career as a successful local businessman since the 1960s. Just one year after opening the industrial estate, in 1983 he built and opened the Nine Locks and Chainmakers pub on Amblecote Road, then the largest pub in the region.

He has confirmed that the “landmark” 64-tonne Chieftan tank, which sits at the entrance to the estate, will be retained by the new owners.

The Commercial Property team at mfg Solicitors handle a range of matters includes sales and purchases of industrial or retail premises, financial transactions, planning and development, leasing, complex land issues, and advising on all sizes of renewable energy projects.

Promotions for lawyers across Three Counties and West Midlands

l-r (top to bottom) Sarah Harbord, Ellis Jessica Walby, Paul Watkins, Cathryn Harper-Tedstone, Daniel De Saulles, Lisette Macdonald and Hannah Oseland

Lawyers at Harrison Clark Rickerbys are celebrating across the Three Counties and the West Midlands as the firm announces its latest round of promotions.

Hannah Oseland becomes a Legal Director in the Banking and Finance team in the firm’s recently opened Birmingham office. Also in the Birmingham office, Lisette Macdonald has been promoted to Senior Associate in the Private Client team.

Meanwhile in Worcester, Daniel De Saulles has been promoted to Senior Associate in the Commercial team with Cathryn Harper-Tedstone promoted to Associate in the Family team.

Over in Cheltenham, Paul Watkins is promoted from Associate to Senior Associate in the firm’s Education and Charities team, while Ellis Jessica Walby becomes an Associate in the Employment and Immigration team.

In Hereford, the Agriculture and Rural Affairs team gain a new Associate, with Sarah Harbord promoted this month.

Head of Worcester Office Charlotte Thornton-Smith said: “Congratulations to all those who have been promoted. It’s fantastic to see so many colleagues recognised for their hard work across the Three Counties and the West Midlands.”

These promotions come as a host of newly-qualified solicitors continue their

career with HCR, with eight solicitors having completed the firm’s training course.

Dedication of clinical negligence lawyers reflected in legal rankings

(L-R) Inez Brown, Ally Taft, Elizabeth Wickson, Amrit Dhaliwal, Stephanie Pincher

Medical Accident Group – part of Harrison Clark Rickerbys - has ranked in band two for Clinical Negligence:

Claimant for the West Midlands in the 2023 edition of The Legal 500 UK. They are highly praised for their empathy, care and “extensive medical knowledge”. Recognised for her recent position as President of the Birmingham Law Society, Inez Brown, who heads the team “expertly and efficiently”, is listed as a leading individual. Ally Taft is described as an “exceptional lawyer” and noted for

her “tenacity in difficult cases and for vulnerable clients”. Elizabeth Wickson received high praise for her empathy, with the client describing their experience as feeling “like she held my hand the whole way”.

Another client describes Stephanie Pincher’s “attitude, work ethics and care” as “exemplary”, while Amrit Dhaliwal receives praise for her “hardworking” approach to ensure clients are “heard and understand the complexities of their case”.

Expertise across the team is commended as “well balanced”, with “real strength in depth amongst its associates and paralegals”. The rankings are largely based on client feedback but also on the team’s caseload, which is regarded as “high quality” with “real experience”. The rankings further cement their commitment in helping to make a difference to people’s lives.

Medical Accident Group is dedicated to working for those who have suffered medical negligence or a serious personal injury. Its leading lawyers are amongst the most experienced in the country.