Legal news: Turner Parkinson; gunnercooke & more
COMMERCIAL law firm Turner Parkinson says it has had a record year for deals.
The Manchester firm says 2015 deal values surged 40% to £600m as activity levels in the North West increased.
Head of corporate James Sheridan said: “Because we are a single office business focussed on the North West mid-market, our deal statistics are a reasonably accurate barometer of what is going on across the North West – and the 40% jump in deal value to £600m that we have seen this year is a very positive sign.
“Of course we work on deals elsewhere in the UK and overseas, but most of the companies we work with have their roots in the North West one way or the other, so both the volume and value growth is good news. I believe it is all part of Manchester emerging as the effective ’Capital of Regional UK’, something I see gathering momentum and creating further opportunities for Manchester businesses next year and beyond.”
Highlights include the sale of packaging group Logson, APS Salads’ acquisition of Wight Salads, the sale of Inspirepac to Smurfit Kappa and Pinewood’s placing and refinancing in May.
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MANCHESTER firm gunnercooke has advised childcare provider Busy Bees on the acquisition of Kids 1st Nursery Group.
Busy Bees is the largest childcare provider in the UK which, including this acquisition, now operates 250 nurseries. Currently Busy Bees employs and trains over 7,700 staff and provides exemplary care for over 30,000 children.
A team at gunnercooke led by corporate partner Nick Ducker provided legal advice to Busy Bees, marking the sixth deal that the law firm has supported the business through.
Ducker said: “This is a significant deal for Busy Bees and further bolsters its position as the largest childcare operator in the UK. Busy Bees has been extremely acquisitive over the past few years and the addition of Kids 1st to its expansive portfolio will help to establish the company’s presence in the North East.”
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MANCHESTER-based property and business law firm Ratio Law has announced a 47% increase in turnover for the financial year ending 30 April 2015.
For the same period in 2013/14 the firm billed £491,000, with its most recent figures confirming a turnover of £724,000 – an increase of £233,000 achieved over the course of just 12 months.
Ratio founding partner Gisella Alberici said: “My partner and I, Joanna Norris, have always believed that Manchester had room for, and indeed a need for, a law firm providing a partner-led, tailored service to clients on a one-to-one basis – and our latest set of results confirm that this is the case.
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NATIONAL firm Mills & Reeve, which has an office in Manchester, has appointed Bridget Skelton as non-executive director.
The company says Skelton, who has enjoyed a varied career in retail and consulting, will bring a different perspective to the Mills & Reeve board.
After 12 years with PA Consulting Group, she now runs her own executive coaching practice and works with clients ranging from blue chip corporates and government departments to banks and charities.
She is also a non-executive director at Kent Community Health NHS Trust and trustee of Demelza Hospice Care for Children.
Skelton extensive experience includes running her own high end fashion boutique, for which she won Drapers Record New Independent Retailer of the Year in 2005.
Justin Ripman, Mills & Reeve senior partner, said: “We believe that Bridget will be made to measure for us with her varied career allowing her to take a unique view on our strategy going forward. We were looking for someone who can demonstrate innovative thinking and Bridget certainly provides this.
“We’re delighted to welcome her to the board and look forward to a long and successful relationship.”
The Mills & Reeve board is completed by managing partner Claire Clarke, partners Caitlin Jenkins, Neil Davis and Charles Staveley, and director of finance Mark Finch.
