Professionals: Walker Morris, Bibby Financial Services, Gordons

TEAMS from Herbert Smith Freehills and Walker Morris have supported London football club Crystal Palace on a US investment deal to develop its facilities.

US businessmen, Josh Harris and David Blitzer will be investing in the club and, with current chairman Steve Parish, taking over the club.

All shareholders have agreed an initial £50m injection of capital for the development of the stadium, with more to follow.

James MacArthur, Head of Private Equity at Herbert Smith Freehills, and associates Joe Stolerman and Rick Wright, advised the shareholders in CPFC2010. David Hinchliffe, Head of Sport at Walker Morris and Katie Reed, an Associate in the Walker Morris Sports Group advised Crystal Palace FC.

James MacArthur commented:”Josh Harris and David Blitzer have established a long track record of successful investments in other sports clubs. They share a passion for sport and for Crystal Palace and are determined to help deliver future success for the Club.”

David Hinchliffe added: “The investment will provide valuable funds to enable the Club to make long term investments in the infrastructure and give the fans the first-class facilities they deserve.”

Josh Harris and David Blitzer currently own the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and ice hockey team, New Jersey Devils.

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FINANCIAL services firm Bibby has provided working capital funding to support Revis Transport’s acquisition of transport and haulage firm, Spandler Limited.

Bibby corporate manager David McIntyre, led a team that structured the finance package, combining £120,000 funding and a £550,000 hire purchase agreement structured by Tim Brogden of Bibby Leasing.

Revis Transport, which has bases in York and Immingham, looked to acquire East Anglia-based Spandler last year with the help of Bibby’s corporate finance team.

Kevin Craven, corporate director at Bibby said: “This is a fantastic example of how we can provide an integrated finance package that supports clients’ needs by bringing together our expert working capital solutions with our excellent leasing capabilities.”

Bibby Financial Services was formed in 1982 and is part of the 208-year-old business services provider, the Bibby Line Group.

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AN apprentice at law firm Gordons has qualified as a graduate member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.

Bryony Russell has acquired the organisation’s Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law and Practice, completing the most advanced academic element of the qualification.

She will become a chartered legal executive employment lawyer in September next year, after gaining five years’ sector experience.

Gordons’ apprenticeship programme was introduced in 2011. It admits entrants each September with a current intake of 10.

Paul Ayre, managing partner, Gordons, said: “We’re very proud of Bryony, who is a valuable part of our team, and all at Gordons congratulate her on her achievement.
“This is yet another milestone for our apprenticeship programme, which has brought some outstanding young talent into the profession, which might previously have been lost to it, and is undoubtedly one of the most worthwhile innovations we’ve ever implemented.”