Legal News: nQ’s arena double; Weightmans; Mills & Reeve
LAW firm nQ legal has completed two major naming rights sponsorships on behalf of its client, stadium operator SMG Europe.
The first deal sees Phones 4U sign a five-year, multi–million pound sponsorship deal of the Manchester Arena, one of the world’s busiest venues, which will now be re-branded as Phones 4u Arena.
Manchester-based nQ legal – named after its location in the city’s Northern Quarter – also advised SMG on a second five-year sponsorship deal which sees HSBC’s online banking arm, first direct, give its name to the new Leeds arena.
Director of nQ legal, Tony Brook, says: “A huge amount of hard work by everyone involved in SMG management, its sponsorship agency, and ourselves has gone into securing these two multi-million pound deals.
“The two new partnerships created involve much more than just a new name for each arena. These are sophisticated and complex commercial arrangements which aim to maximise the opportunities for everyone involved.”
nQ legal was set up by former Nexus partner Tony Brook and Carol Thompson in October 2012 to provide clients in the sports, leisure and entertainment sectors.Clients range from multi-national organisations such as SMG to professional athletes such as Manchester City and England star Joe Hart.
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THE Manchester office of national law firm Mills & Reeve has been appointed to work with a charity dedicated to finding effective treatments for one of the most common fatal genetic disorders to affect children.
‘Joining Jack’ was set up by former Wigan rugby league star Andy Johnson and his wife Alex after their son Jack was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a muscle-wasting disease that affects one in every 3,500 boys worldwide.
In the last year ‘Joining Jack’ has grown considerably, amassing support from celebrities such as Sir Bradley Wiggins and actress Lucy Jo Hudson. Mills & Reeve has been appointed to provide full legal services to the charity, aiding its continued growth and development.
Deborah Clark, head of private tax at Mills & Reeve’s Manchester office, commented: “This is a fantastic and passionate charity that has already done considerable work in the battle to search for treatments for DMD. We are proud to be able to support it in any way we can.”
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LIVERPOOL-based lawyers at Weightmans have advised Anglesey-building materials company Huws Gray on the addition of two more branches to its growing portfolio.
In Derbyshire, Huws Gray has acquired J. F. Beale – a family business with over 30 years’ experience and in a move that further boosts the business’ presence in north Wales, Huws Gray has also acquired a property on Lon Parcwr Industrial Estate in Ruthin.
A team of solicitors from Weightmans acted for the long-time client, led by partner Ian Vicary and assisted by real estate specialist Amanda Hurst and corporate trainee solicitor, Gary Byrne.
Mr Vicary said: “These acquisitions, which follow on from last years’ activity, reinforce Huws Gray’s position as one of the UK’s leading independent builders’ merchants.
“Our relationship with the company is a long-standing one and we are delighted to be associated with such a successful business that has developed one of the strongest independent brands in its sector within England and Wales.”
