Legal news: Gateley promotes and hires; TP; Brabners & more
LAW firm, Gateley, has announced a number of promotions and appointments at its Manchester office.
Seven of Gateley’s Manchester team have been promoted, including tax specialist Richard Clitherow, being made legal director. Three employees were promoted from associate to senior associate – real estate lawyer Simon Maddox, Avril England from employment and Stuart Evans from the pensions.
Moving up to associate level are: Emma Butterworth (employment); Sarah Jenkins (pensions) and Nicholas Murrills (corporate dispute resolution).
In addition new hires include paralegal, Michelle Whetham in construction and John Whatnall, who joined as a professional support lawyer in banking.
Rod Waldie, head of Gateley’s Manchester office, said: “It’s been another significant year for our team which, despite operating in a challenging and competitive market, has seen us flourish as we approach our fifth year. Our success has been spear headed by a number of multi-disciplinary deals with clients such as Cains Brewery and Palatine Private Equity.
“While we can be extremely proud of the financial success, we maintain that our people are the backbone of our business and certain individuals have enjoyed fantastic career progression. For example, real estate partner, Paul Rose, was recently named as LawWorks fellow and head of family law, Elizabeth Hassall, was appointed as chair of the Collaborative Family Law Group.
“We continually look to attract the best candidates and will continue to invest significantly in staff development. We’re delighted that so many colleagues merited promotion this year and each one of them has earned it through their hard work, commitment and contribution to the firm and its clients. We hope they continue to enjoy long and happy careers with us.”
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COMMERCIAL law firm Turner Parkinson has advised OptiBiotix Health, a microbiome product discovery and development company on its reverse takeover of AIM quoted Ducat Ventures plc.
The deal will see Ducat, formerly an investing company, become a food science business to be called OptiBiotix Health plc.
The TP team led by corporate partners Stephen Hadlow and James Sheridan led the advisory team.
Mr Hadlow said: “We have been working closely with OptiBiotix to help it achieve its growth ambitions. Life sciences and the healthcare sector are areas where we have advised many clients and continue to help growing and established businesses. Our track record has enabled us to understand the unique opportunity presented by OptiBiotix’s focus on the human microbiome and how to execute capital markets deals for companies with an opportunity to exploit a relatively new scientific area.”
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THE sports law team at North West firm Brabners advised Championship football club Bolton Wanderers on its agreement with Macron to become the club’s official kit supplier and naming rights partner for the new season.
Italian sportswear manufacturer Macron will provide match kits, training wear and leisurewear for the club. In addition, the deal with Macron includes the naming rights for the former Reebok Stadium, which has been renamed as ‘Macron Stadium’.
Partner David Bentham and solicitor Oliver Sadler worked on the deal. Mr Bentham said: “The naming rights element in particular raised various considerations and it was good to use our expertise and experience in this area to assist Bolton on this deal.”
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THE Chester office of law firm Knights advised on a deal which saw dairy food company Dairy Crest sell the business and assets of its subsidiary FoodTec UK to Adams Food Ingredients (AFI), a subsidiary of the Irish Dairy Board, for £1.2m in July.
AFI, with its headquarters in Leek, was represented by Knights partner Sally Wightman. Eversheds acted for Dairy Crest.
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LANCASHIRE law firnHarrison Drury has secured two new clients for its fixed-price legal service, HD Anytime.
The new clients are Kendal-based PHX Training and Preston Plastics, who will pay a fixed monthy fee for advice.
John Chesworth, managing director at Harrison Drury, said: “Businesses are craving value for money when it comes to legal services and HD Anytime makes it possible for them to take control of their legal issues in a cost-effective way. Preventing legal problems is always easier than solving them. The structure of the service means businesses can be proactive when dealing with legal matters without worrying about legal costs.”
