Manchester law firm advises on nearly £2bn of deals in first quarter
Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate team in Manchester has advised leading North West businesses on a flurry of deals, with a cumulative value of almost £2bn in the first three months of this year.
The team advised Bury-based JD Sports on its £414mm acquisition of American retailer The Finish Line, and regional builders merchants Huws Gray on an investment by Inflexion at a significant undisclosed valuation.
The St Peter’s Square team said it also continues to dominate the North West private equity market, beginning the year by advising on Equistone’s sale of Concept Life Sciences for £163m, Equistone’s £100m MBO of WHP Telecoms, and the investment by Inflexion in Radius Payment Solutions at a valuation of £800m.
Roger Hart, corporate partner at AG who led the AG teams on the JD Sports and Huws Gray deals, said: “The value and number of deals we’ve advised on reflects our incredible client base – we work hard at having close relationships with the best businesses in the region.”
He added: “We have an excellent M&A pipeline, particularly in the retail sector. So, while IPO activity has slowed a little, we’re optimistic that the North West deal market will continue to be buoyant.”
He said: “Our team is nearly three times the size of the next largest team in Manchester, and we’re recruiting. That tells you a lot.”
In Manchester, the corporate team alone boasts seven partners, and 22 associates.
Mr Hart added: “We are a national, and international firm, but very regional as well, and so fully committed to growing our business in the North West.”
The firm said in the first quarter of 2018, Addleshaw Goddard was ranked by Experian as the most active legal adviser for deals across the North West, North East and Yorkshire.
