17-01-2008
Record-breaking year for eight-strong corporate team
Adopting a strategy of acting for highly acquisitive AIM-listed companies has paid off for the corporate team at BPE Solicitors as they celebrate completing the largest number of deals in the firm’s history.
Last year (2007) was BPE’s most successful year to date with a raft of corporate and commercial activity, including AIM floats, public takeovers, major M&As and high-value, complex commercial contracts.
The eight-strong team completed over 55 deals with an aggregate value of more than £250 million. Many of the deals have helped the firm’s nine AIM-listed clients, including Mears Group Plc, Maxima Holdings Plc, The Jelf Group Plc, and Hexagon Human Capital Plc, remain firmly on the acquisition trail.
In addition, 2007 also saw the firm receive instructions from two leading brokers, recognition of the reputation team leader and Partner Anthony Rudge has established in the public company marketplace.
BPE’s blend of commercial acumen, razor-sharp technical expertise and first class client care skills has not only kept existing clients happy, but also helped them to secure a number of impressive client wins.
The BPE corporate team are now lawyers of choice for AIM-listed Innovise Plc, the fast-growing provider of workforce management software and managed IT solutions and The Careforce Group Plc, a nationwide company that provides care for the elderly and for people with physical or learning disabilities.
Headline grabbing deals completed during 2007 include:
• Advising AIM-listed Mears Group Plc on the company’s public takeover of fellow AIM-listed company The Careforce Group Plc.
Partner Anthony Rudge advised the Gloucestershire-based company on the deal, supported by fellow partners John Workman, Helen Lovatt and Tim Ward.
• Supporting Maxima Holdings Plc’s acquisition strategy with the purchase of 3net Limited.
The purchase of 3net Limited, for a consideration of £18m, was funded by a placing with institutional investors, bank debt and the issue of shares. It is the ninth acquisition managed by John Workman and the corporate team on behalf of Maxima since the company was admitted to AIM in November 2004.
• Advising Hexagon Human Capital Plc on its pre-IPO funding and subsequent float on the Alternative Investment Market. In addition, BPE advised on Hexagon’s two strategic acquisitions of BIE Interim Executive Limited and Archer Mathieson Ltd.
• Partner Paul Wakefield advising management shareholders on the sale of Birmingham production firm Maverick Television (which produces the Channel 4 programmes How To Look Good Naked and Embarrassing Illnesses) to All3Media for an undisclosed sum.
Anthony Rudge leads the five-partner corporate team, dividing his time between the firm’s Cheltenham and Birmingham offices. Having spent a number of years in the City, carrying out a wide range of quoted company transactions, he is now regarded as the firm’s public company specialist.
Senior Partner and corporate heavyweight John Workman was short-listed as South West Corporate Lawyer of the Year after receiving glowing reports from peers and corporate finance professionals throughout the region.
Prolific dealmaker Tim Ward has completed the largest number of deals during the past 12 months, acting for substantial Gloucestershire owner-managed businesses and national Plcs alike.
Birmingham corporate Partner Paul Wakefield has proved he is one to watch in the West Midlands marketplace, managing deals normally handled by larger, national firms.
An excellent communicator, Helen Lovatt supports her fellow partners in business development and is relied upon to manage key relationships with clients and other professionals.
“We are on a real high after completing such a spectacular number of deals during 2007, having proved we can give many larger, national firms a run for their money,” said team leader Partner Anthony Rudge.
“The future looks bright with a number of significant deals already on the table. We are always up for a challenge and have already set ourselves the target of smashing through our deal-making record in 2008,” he added.
Last year (2007) was BPE’s most successful year to date with a raft of corporate and commercial activity, including AIM floats, public takeovers, major M&As and high-value, complex commercial contracts.
The eight-strong team completed over 55 deals with an aggregate value of more than £250 million. Many of the deals have helped the firm’s nine AIM-listed clients, including Mears Group Plc, Maxima Holdings Plc, The Jelf Group Plc, and Hexagon Human Capital Plc, remain firmly on the acquisition trail.
In addition, 2007 also saw the firm receive instructions from two leading brokers, recognition of the reputation team leader and Partner Anthony Rudge has established in the public company marketplace.
BPE’s blend of commercial acumen, razor-sharp technical expertise and first class client care skills has not only kept existing clients happy, but also helped them to secure a number of impressive client wins.
The BPE corporate team are now lawyers of choice for AIM-listed Innovise Plc, the fast-growing provider of workforce management software and managed IT solutions and The Careforce Group Plc, a nationwide company that provides care for the elderly and for people with physical or learning disabilities.
Headline grabbing deals completed during 2007 include:
• Advising AIM-listed Mears Group Plc on the company’s public takeover of fellow AIM-listed company The Careforce Group Plc.
Partner Anthony Rudge advised the Gloucestershire-based company on the deal, supported by fellow partners John Workman, Helen Lovatt and Tim Ward.
• Supporting Maxima Holdings Plc’s acquisition strategy with the purchase of 3net Limited.
The purchase of 3net Limited, for a consideration of £18m, was funded by a placing with institutional investors, bank debt and the issue of shares. It is the ninth acquisition managed by John Workman and the corporate team on behalf of Maxima since the company was admitted to AIM in November 2004.
• Advising Hexagon Human Capital Plc on its pre-IPO funding and subsequent float on the Alternative Investment Market. In addition, BPE advised on Hexagon’s two strategic acquisitions of BIE Interim Executive Limited and Archer Mathieson Ltd.
• Partner Paul Wakefield advising management shareholders on the sale of Birmingham production firm Maverick Television (which produces the Channel 4 programmes How To Look Good Naked and Embarrassing Illnesses) to All3Media for an undisclosed sum.
Anthony Rudge leads the five-partner corporate team, dividing his time between the firm’s Cheltenham and Birmingham offices. Having spent a number of years in the City, carrying out a wide range of quoted company transactions, he is now regarded as the firm’s public company specialist.
Senior Partner and corporate heavyweight John Workman was short-listed as South West Corporate Lawyer of the Year after receiving glowing reports from peers and corporate finance professionals throughout the region.
Prolific dealmaker Tim Ward has completed the largest number of deals during the past 12 months, acting for substantial Gloucestershire owner-managed businesses and national Plcs alike.
Birmingham corporate Partner Paul Wakefield has proved he is one to watch in the West Midlands marketplace, managing deals normally handled by larger, national firms.
An excellent communicator, Helen Lovatt supports her fellow partners in business development and is relied upon to manage key relationships with clients and other professionals.
“We are on a real high after completing such a spectacular number of deals during 2007, having proved we can give many larger, national firms a run for their money,” said team leader Partner Anthony Rudge.
“The future looks bright with a number of significant deals already on the table. We are always up for a challenge and have already set ourselves the target of smashing through our deal-making record in 2008,” he added.
