Case Studies
There’s a difference between running a business and running a successful business. The difference is the people.
Read moreThey have that special something, that spark. Call it intelligence, call it entrepreneurial spirit, call it intuition. We call it brilliance and our clients have it in abundance. We attract these clients because we mirror their entrepreneurial spirit, it's at the heart of who we are and what we do.
We’re not just lawyers, we’re lawyers who understand entrepreneurs, both on a business and a personal level, and that’s how we've been able to help our clients achieve such amazing things.
Don’t take our word for it, take theirs. Some of them have been kind enough to explain why they chose us over and above other law firms. They’re all people and businesses who have achieved extraordinary, brilliant things. So if you're an entrepreneur who wants to work with people who aren't just lawyers then we'd like to work with you too.

Lilian Faithfull Care
Our experience in the Healthcare sector and the particular regulatory issues these businesses face meant that BPE was able to support a range of activities including property purchases and funding and acquisitions. We are proud to be considered a ‘Business Partner’ and look forward to supporting Lilian Faithfull’s ongoing growth strategy.

Future Advanced Manufacturing
BPE provides Commercial Property, Corporate, Employment and Commercial advice to Future Advanced Manufacturing. We have seen the company grow from a £3million turnover to being a leading manufacturer to both national and international clients.

Warner's Budgens
BPE’s relationship with Warners Retail began in 2013 and we have been providing advice on commercial property, commercial litigation and corporate transactions since.

Tiger UK (Midlands) Ltd
BPE’s relationship with Tiger started in Autumn 2013 when they were brought on board to help facilitate the opening of stores in both Cardiff and Cheltenham in time for Christmas trading.
Established in Copenhagen in 1995, the fast growing retail chain, Tiger, which provides customers with affordable, stylish home and giftware products, has developed from a modest outlet into a widely recognised brand, with over 270 stores across 19 European countries.
In 2005 Tiger opened its first UK store in Basingstoke with an initial roll out across the South East. The company now employs over 230 staff and is divided into four franchises; Tiger South East, Tiger Wales, Tiger West Midlands and Tiger Scotland. With their move into Wales and out of the South West in 2013 and an aggressive roll out planned across the UK in 2014, Tiger looked for a law firm with retail experience that could assist them with their ambitious future plans.
BPE’s relationship with Tiger started in Autumn 2013 when they were brought on board to help facilitate the opening of stores in both Cardiff and Cheltenham in time for Christmas trading.
“We had to work to extremely tight timescales to ensure Tiger’s first entry into the West Midlands and Welsh markets went smoothly,” recalls Antonia Shield, Head of the Commercial Property team at BPE. “We have an exceptionally experienced team so were able to make sure they were up and running for the festive period.”
BPE’s retail property team supports Tiger with property acquisitions, leasehold agreements, and fit out and license agreements, offering advice whenever and wherever needed.
“I don’t have time to worry about the small details”, explains Simon Hall, Director, Tiger UK (Midlands) Ltd, “so trusting BPE to have all the legal aspects covered is of paramount importance. Antonia and her team are always available on the phone and always respond to emails within minutes. Unlike other law firms I’ve dealt with, their customer service seems to come top,” continues Simon.
After successful trading in Cheltenham and Cardiff, BPE has recently helped with the acquisition and set up of a new store in Merryhill Shopping Centre.
“BPE’s knowledge and expertise in this sector is great for a new start up business like me” says Simon. “The ideal is keeping costs low, whilst still receiving the best value for money and the best service possible. With BPE I believe I am.”
Contact Antonia Shield, Partner, BPE, Commercial Property
Tel: 01242 248259
Email: antonia.shield@bpe.co.uk

Boultbee Brooks Real Estate
BPE’s property team has acted for BBRE since April 2014, handling many of the company’s investment acquisitions, disposals, agreements and leases.
Boultbee Brooks Real Estate (BBRE) is an entrepreneurial, family owned business led by Clive Boultbee Brooks.
The company, which deals with property investment and development, has an impressive track record spanning over 27 years, with total transactions of more than £5 billion in the UK and Europe.
BPE’s property team has acted for BBRE since April 2014, handling many of the company’s investment acquisitions, disposals, agreements and leases. In its first year alone, BPE supported BBRE with more than £70m worth of investments and development work, including the letting and sale of Rivington House in London, LK Bennett’s new 16,000 sq ft head office.
As a privately owned and well-resourced business, with a stunning track record, BBRE is able to be very flexible, confident and proactive about its property acquisition. The company’s strategy is to maximise returns for its investors and outperform markets and they are experts in identifying opportunities as well as making timely investment decisions that take into account constant changes in markets. Consequently, they require an efficient, responsive and commercially astute legal team.
“We use BPE because of their business approach,” explained BBRE’s Asset Manager, James Whitcher. “They are more than the legal help, they are part of our team. The size of their commercial property team means that we always have continuity of service and are never without access to competitively priced legal advice when we need it.“
Recent projects that the team has worked on for Boultbee Brooks include:
- Back Church Lane, London - Forward funded purchase of 24,700 sq ft Grade A
- office development
- Croxley House, Manchester - £5.5m acquisition of a multi let investment property
- St James Court, Manchester - £6.5m acquisition of a development property
- Latimer House, Amersham - £5.2m acquisition of an investment property
- Prospect House, Leeds - £3.25m acquisition of an investment property.
- Rivington House, London - occupational lease and disposal for £15.22m.

Creed Foodservice
BPE has been working with Creed Foodservice for twenty years. Over that time we have provided advice on commercial property, residential property and corporate transactions.

Cintec
Cintec is a globally recognised leader in engineering research and development. Recently, BPE's Litigation team assisted them with a patent infringement case.

Bodypower TV
In 2008, BPE's Corporate team assisted Bodypower with the sale of its main business. When the world renowned health & fitness brand subsequently fell out with the purchasers, BPE's Litigation team worked day and night to get them a satisfactory result.

Summerfield Nursing Unit
BPE supported Keith Coghill in a complex £10m deal which included buying an ex care home out of administration.
Lectec Services Ltd
When Lectec owners, Martyn Moody and Alistair Dunk, wanted to sell the £11m turnover company in the middle of the economic downturn in 2010, they needed to work with a law firm who had vast experience in this field and would get the complex deal completed on time and in budget. BPE was instructed by Lectec after a recommendation from Lectec’s corporate advisers engaged on the sale.
Founded in 1977, Lectec Services is a mechanical engineering firm which provides design, construction, maintenance, commissioning and inspection of electrical and instrumentation systems to a wide variety of industries, including the oil, gas, and power generation trades. Part of the Engenda Group, the Lincolnshire based company has, over the past 30 years, broadened its customer base and now operates throughout the UK, Europe, Russia, Africa and the Middle East.
When Lectec owners, Martyn Moody and Alistair Dunk, wanted to sell the £11m turnover company in the middle of the economic downturn in 2010, they needed to work with a law firm who had vast experience in this field and would get the complex deal completed on time and in budget.
BPE was instructed by Lectec after a recommendation from Lectec’s corporate advisers engaged on the sale.
“Both the buyer, owned by a well-known entrepreneur, and the seller, were happy with the £4m deal they had agreed”, explained Tim Ward, Partner in the Corporate team at BPE. “The issue was raising enough funds – most of which had to come from banks, as the buyer, although a well-respected entrepreneur in the field, was, in effect a new company." This was in the middle of the deepest credit crunch at a time when the answer from banks to a funding proposition was generally negative.
As with many entrepreneurs, the paper trail to prove that contracts existed, that there was recurring income and a secure future order book, was not easily available. One of the many commercial issues to be resolved was to understand potential claw backs and retentions as these could have a big impact on cash flow. Tim worked closely with the vendors’ advisers, keeping them fully informed and using their influence and experience to keep everyone on track and committed to driving the deal forward.
BPE had to use their expertise and experience to convince the funders to provide finance. At the same time the team had to ensure the sellers remained committed and did not become frustrated with the delays and ongoing questioning of their business. It was a long process but BPE assured the sellers that with their fixed fee agreement the costs would not change, irrespective of the time taken or how the deal was structured.
“We took the time to understand how Lectec operated so we could work with the buyer’s advisors to conclude the deal”, explained Tim. “We kept them fully informed throughout the process and used our experience to keep everyone on track and committed to driving the deal forward. Concluding the deal took eight months.”
“I am convinced that if it had not been for BPE’s patience and efforts the deal completion may well have faltered”, explains Lectec’s Alastair Dunk. “The professionalism and support from the team was quite exceptional and there was much comfort to be had by ourselves during the due diligence and Final Acquisition stages of the sale process, knowing we had their support. I would have no hesitation in recommending BPE to any entrepreneur planning an exit.”
Green Compliance PLC
BPE has acted for Green Compliance for more than seven years and is now one of their key strategic partners. Tim Ward, alongside the rest of the Corporate team, has built up a solid working relationship with the company’s directors during this time, assisting with a series of acquisitions, sales and fundraising, as well as supporting their overall business strategy.
Green Compliance Plc is a leading business support services group which operates throughout the UK. They specialise in the provision of compliance related services including water treatment, hygiene and Legionella control, plus specialist fire suppression and detection. The AIM listed business, whose head office is based in Worcester, works with blue chip clients in a variety of industries, from manufacturing, retail and hospitality, to leisure, education and healthcare. On top of this they also provide a comprehensive range of compliance solutions to other public sector organisations and leading facilities management companies.
BPE has acted for Green Compliance for more than seven years and is now one of their key strategic partners. Tim Ward, alongside the rest of the Corporate team, has built up a solid working relationship with the company’s directors during this time, assisting with a series of acquisitions, sales and fundraising, as well as supporting their overall business strategy.
Since 2008, in conjunction with Green’s management team, the team at BPE has:
- Advised on all aspects of seven acquisitions, including carrying out legal due diligence, negotiating the contractual documentation and managing the transaction, so it finished on time and on budget.
- Advised on a number of successful funding rounds on AIM and share issues
- Advised on banking facilities
- Assisted Green in the multimillion pound sale of its fire and pest divisions
The sale of Green’s Pest control and services division was completed on New Year’s Eve, after a review by the company to focus efforts on the most profitable and cash generative divisions of the group. This followed on from a fundraising in September and a sale of another division in July, all assisted by the team at BPE.
The work with Green Compliance demonstrates that BPE can do complex public company work on the Stock Market and has the depth to advise on fundraisings and acquisitions.
“BPE’s Corporate team has definitely proved its worth” says Richard Hodgson , Chief Operating Officer at Green Compliance plc. “They have helped us to acquire a portfolio of successful businesses. Their no-nonsense approach, commercial ‘can do’ attitude and commitment has been invaluable, enabling us to deliver a large number of deals within our timescales, without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail.”

Mears Group PLC
BPE has been working with Mears since 1996 when, as an SME, the company was turning over £6million. Soon after, BPE supported chairman, Bob Holt with the flotation of the company on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange, creating Mears Group. The relationship continued with a flurry of key acquisitions including Haydon & Co which added more than 500 employees to the existing 83 staff and by 2005, BPE had helped Mears reach a turnover of £203.5 million with a £1 billion order book.
Mears Group PLC is a leading social housing repairs and maintenance provider, with its head office based in Gloucester. Working with local authorities and social landlords, Mears provides rapid response and planned maintenance services to a portfolio of nearly one million properties. On top of this Mears is also the fastest growing domiciliary care services provider, delivering eight million hours of care a year to the elderly and other vulnerable people living in the UK.
From their beginnings as a small, private building contractor in 1988, Mears Group now has a turnover of £900 million and employs nearly 16,000 people around the country. They are a forward thinking, innovative company, who constantly strive to achieve the highest levels of customer satisfaction and efficiency in each of the sectors they work in. To help them reach this goal they need a legal firm that shares and understands their vision and values.
BPE has been working with Mears since 1996 when, as an SME, the company was turning over £6million. Soon after, BPE supported chairman, Bob Holt with the flotation of the company on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange, creating Mears Group. The relationship continued with a flurry of key acquisitions including Haydon & Co which added more than 500 employees to the existing 83 staff and by 2005, BPE had helped Mears reach a turnover of £203.5 million with a £1 billion order book.
In 2007 BPE assisted Mears with their acquisition of domiciliary care provider, Careforce, and the company grew to more than 5000 employees. The following years saw BPE’s three lead lawyers, John Workman, Tim Ward and Anthony Rudge, working closely with Mears’ Chief Executive Officer David Miles and Chairman, Bob Holt to move Mears to the main market at the London Stock Exchange and in 2009 Mears Group won PLC award for New Company of the Year on the LSE Main Market.
Since then BPE has supported Mears with major acquisitions including leading providers of social care in Scotland and the North East, taking over the Home Improvement Service from Anchor and acquiring Morrison Facilities Services Limited from Morrison plc.
Whilst the relationship between Mears and BPE is built on mutual trust and respect for each other’s professionalism, both companies also have a mutual respect for CSR. In 2013, 12 members of BPE’s staff, from secretaries to Partners, went to South Africa to work on building a children’s school as part of Mears’ Chairman, Bob Holt’s Charity, The Footprints Foundation.
This Summer a team of four from BPE, John Workman, Jon Close, Tim Williams and Adrian Peake are planning a 900 mile cycle ride from Luxemburg to Budapest to raise money for the Foundation.
Working alongside Mears’ Chairman, Bob Holt, Finance Director Andrew Smith and Executive Director, Alan Long, the team at BPE has also assisted Mears with:
- The takeover of domiciliary care provider Supporta Plc for £27 million.
- Securing £80 million banking facilities, providing the Group with banking support for a five year period, including a working capital and acquisition facility.
- Purchase of part of the business and assets of social housing providers Connaught and Rok Plc after they had been placed in administration.The Rok deal was against a tight timescale and BPE completed the acquisition within 48 minutes
- The £5 million purchase of social housing maintenance contractor Jackson Lloyd Ltd, including the repayment of existing debt.
- Strategic partnership agreement with British Gas to jointly address challenges of energy efficiency within the social housing sector.
- Choices Care, which provides supported housing, care and community services to adults in Scotland and North East England and was acquired by Mears in an £7.40 million deal.
Chairman Bob Holt commented, “BPE has acted for Mears for more than a decade. We have relied upon their no-nonsense advice, ‘can do’ commercial support for all our corporate transactions. Their partner-led approach, headed by Senior Partner John Workman, means we are treated like a valued client at all times and we have trusted them to deliver on numerous complex acquisitions”

Lifemarque
Lifemarque Limited designs and manufactures travel and outdoor healthcare, camping equipment, outdoor children's products and dog accessories. BPE's Employment team has been working with Lifemarque for many years and the firm also offer them advice on Intellectual Property.

Interserve
Interserve is one of the world's foremost support services and construction companies. Based in the UK and listed in the FTSE 250 index, Interserve operates in the public and private sectors in the UK and internationally. With a workforce of over 75,000 people worldwide, employment issues are inevitable for Interserve. BPE’s Employment Team began acting for Interserve in 2009.
As the relationship between BPE and Interserve grew, we started to deal with the more complex issues across the business to the extent that in 2012 BPE were awarded sole supplier status for employment work in a competitive tender process.
The team has worked on numerous projects and complex cases to include:
- Successfully defending the Tribunal and Appeal of one of the first cases brought under the Blacklisting Regulations;
- Successfully defending a number of complex whistleblowing claims;
- Successfully defending a series of challenges to the collective consultation processes carried out during business transfers and service provision changes;
- Recovering costs for Interserve in a disproportionately high number of the claims we have defended for them, to include cases in which full costs have been awarded.
- Advising on the TUPE aspects of numerous outsourcing projects in public and private sector contracts;
- Advising on issues arising from international assignments.
Our success with and for Interserve has been based on the relationship that has developed between us, with regular contact at all levels of the business. We ensure that we understand not only Interseve’s business, but how the people we support operate in that business and we tailor our style and advice to best meet their business needs.
"On behalf of us all – a HUGE thank you to you and your team who supported us throughout the tribunal. We are all so delighted and relieved by the outcome and the experience has been challenging but extremely educational. We are especially grateful for your understanding of the significance and impact this case had and on us as a business and as individuals and your attention to supporting us all very professionally leading up to and including the tribunal hearing."
To speak to Lisa Gettins call 01242 248237 or email lisa.gettins@bpe.co.uk

Paragon Laundry – Developing overseas markets in the Middle East
BPE advised on all contractual agreements when Paragon Laundry moved into the Middle East, taking over the management of existing laundries and building brand new hi-tech facilities in Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Paragon Laundry is a family run business that has provided first class laundry services to a range of customers across the UK since 1918. The £28m company focuses on the commercial marketplace, working across a range of industry sectors from restaurants and retailers to schools and stadiums. The company employs more than 600 people across Wales, the Midlands and the South West of England. They also operate globally, providing services for a number of complex blue chip clients. As well as their laundry services, Paragon has become a household name for the rental of linen to hotels and work wear for factories.
BPE first became involved with Paragon in May 2005 through its role as founder member of the Association of Laundry Suppliers, a network of laundries that would soon become The Brilliant Laundry Group, one of the leading national brands in the world of commercial laundry. The management team at Paragon played a fundamental part in the Association’s rebirth as Brilliant, and the professional relationship with BPE grew from there.
At the time Paragon was a £13M company and, over the last nine years, BPE has been a key strategic partner supporting the company to more than double in size. For instance, BPE advised on all contractual agreements when Paragon moved into the Middle East, taking over the management of existing laundries and building brand new hi-tech facilities in Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Working both with Paragon’s management team in the UK, and out in the Middle East, we have:
- Created template memorandums of understanding, linen/work wear rental and laundry contracts for use in various Middle Eastern countries
- Advised on laundry contracts with the likes of Starwood Hotels (owner of the Sheraton, Le Meridien and St Regis brands), Jumeirah Hotels, Grand Hyatt and Crowne Plaza
- Reviewed, advised on, drafted and amended the laundry management contracts for facilities in Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Oman
- Advised on work wear rental and laundry contracts for a number of medical providers and hospital operators in the Middle East
- Assisted in the registration of a separate New Gen company in the United Arab Emirates,
- Advised on the protection of the company’s brand in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka and the Maldives
Working alongside joint Managing Directors Robert and David Stevens in the UK, BPE has:
- Been instrumental in updating the company’s corporate structure, acquiring business from smaller competitors and developing its relationship with its bankers
- Advised on laundry contracts with a variety of customers, including the likes of Bourne Leisure (owner of Butlins, Haven and Warner Holidays), Merlin Entertainments (operator of Alton Towers, Madame Tussauds, Legoland and Thorpe Park) and Nuffield Health
- Advised on workwear and uniform rental contracts with a variety of customers, including the likes of BMW, Honda, Sun Valley, the University of Exeter, Etihad Airways and Renishaw
- Reviewed and advised on contracts for linen rental and laundry services at various sports facilities, including Wembley Stadium, Twickenham Stadium, Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium and Derby’s Pride Park
- Developed contracts for the supply of linen from suppliers as far away as Egypt and the Middle East
- Advised on the implementation of a new HR and payroll software system from Carval, and HR support from Santia Consulting
- Worked with both Paragon and CLEAN Linen to create a joint venture company, Paris Laundry, which specialises in the development and licensing of bespoke software used to manage and operate modern laundries in both in the UK and the Middle East
- Been instrumental in securing and protecting domain names and registered trade mark rights for Paragon and its associated group companies.
David Stevens, Joint Managing Director
Paragon Laundry
“We operate across various industry sectors for complex, blue chip clients across the globe. We often need good solid, sound advice at very quick notice and BPE delivers time and time again. BPE’s support in helping us develop our overseas operations has been invaluable.”
To speak to Iain Garfield call 01242 248246 or email iain.garfield@bpe.co.uk

St Paul’s Medical Centre, Cheltenham – Future proofing your surgery
BPE worked as a team with other third party professionals to secure sufficient funding, agree building contracts, create new partnership agreements and complete a successful build.
St Paul’s Medical Centre, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire is now a thriving hub providing a wide range of medical care, alternative therapies, a pharmacy and mobility centre. The centre houses 5 GP practices, opticians, chiropractors and acupuncturists, and the NHS use the centre for chiropody, phlebotomy, physiotherapy, dental access and minor surgery.
The individual surgeries were mostly practising out of buildings that were not fit for purpose and no longer adequate for their needs. Being able to provide patients with the best level of care possible is one of the most important objectives for any GP. A vital factor in achieving this goal is having the right resources and facilities to be able to grow and develop new services as patient numbers increase and as patients grow older. Developing a ‘future proof’ surgery could be the answer, in terms of providing high quality care as well as safeguarding patients and GP’s future security. Better space, bigger space, more accessible space gives you the opportunity to provide better healthcare and a wider variety of services, all compliant with CQC standards.
BPE’s team of healthcare experts has supported a number of GPs looking to create a ‘Super Surgery’ or needing to move to bigger premises to improve the services they provide. At St Paul’s Medical Centre, the team oversaw the amalgamation of the five different surgeries, assisting with the whole development from the outset. Working as a team with other third party professionals they secured sufficient funding, agreed building contracts, created new partnership agreements and completed a successful build.
Getting Started
Before you start making detailed plans, one of the most important things to consider about your surgery development is getting the right team in place to support you from the outset.
Having the right team on board who are well experienced within the sector and already have established relationships with third parties, can ensure the project runs as smoothly as possible, whilst keeping that risk to a minimum.
There are many early decisions to make such as finding and buying the perfect plot, and deciding to end own or rent the property, but two of the crucial aspects to get right from the very beginning are negotiating the correct financial deal with the bank and ensuring the structure of the new development will provide Partners with the minimum level of individual risk. Then there are searches and surveys, planning applications, the preparation and awarding of construction tender documents, and the design of the new surgery, all of which take time to do properly.
“For all of this to happen seamlessly you need to work with a team who can provide support in finance, legal, construction and corporate structure matters, as well as find a build team who know what they are doing. We would also suggest that it is important to be in control of your own build, rather than at the mercy of a developer, so you can take ownership of the plans and any alterations you may need,” says Jo Bewley, Partner at BPE and one of the lead members of the Healthcare team.
Challenges
Every project will inevitably present challenges at some stage and there are bound to be pitfalls along the way, but an experienced team will often spot these before they turn into bigger complications.
One of the main challenges to look out for is keeping on budget, and not over spending especially when complications arise.
“Although it is crucial to bring a strong team in from the beginning, be mindful that a team with experience will have an appreciation of a standard timeline of events and realise that not everything has to be dealt with and billed for upfront. Costs can be staggered throughout the entirety of the project, making it easier for you to keep to budget and control your outgoings,” explains Jo.
Mistakes are often made by failing to secure third party occupiers early on in the process and by failing to appreciate the significance of potential money pits.
Results/The Future
Although a big step to take, owning your surgery gives GPs financial security, with a guaranteed pension fund and increased revenue streams. It also allows your practice to grow so you can increase patient numbers without decreasing the level of service provided. A surgery, owned by you, provides patients with better future security, as well as giving you the opportunity to provide enhanced healthcare and a wider variety of services.
If you are thinking of developing your surgery and have any questions for the healthcare team, please do not hesitate to contact Jo Bewley on jo.bewley@bpe.co.uk or 01242 248445.
Anatwine
BPE’s relationship with Anatwine began in 2014 when the law firm was appointed by Anatwine’s Founder and Chief Executive, Chris Griffin, at the start of his pioneering online retail technology business. Using bespoke software, the company optimises retailers and brands stock levels by analysing sales data and enabling brands to be launched across retailers’ sites across the world without the need for the retailer to have bought the brand’s stock.
Connecting the world’s most successful fashion brands to the world’s leading fashion retailers.
BPE’s relationship with Anatwine began in 2014 when the law firm was appointed by Anatwine’s Founder and Chief Executive, Chris Griffin, at the start of his pioneering online retail technology business. Using bespoke software, the company optimises retailers and brands stock levels by analysing sales data and enabling brands to be launched across retailers’ sites across the world without the need for the retailer to have bought the brand’s stock.
Multi-brand retailers are limited by budget and warehouse space and so can only offer a fraction of a brand’s product range online. The e-commerce offer is not therefore always reflective of a brand’s best-selling products. Anatwine’s technology analyses real time sales data which allows retailers and brands provide their customers with the product they want when they want it.
Anatwine now works with some of the world’s leading retailers on ‘the biggest change in online fashion in a decade’, has a multi million pound turnover and an impressive board of directors which includes Sir Terence Leahy, former CEO of Tesco.
BPE Solicitors helped Chris build the foundations of this massively successfully fast growing business in a multi-team effort that has seen the law firm:
- write Anatwine’s employment and software contracts
- protect the company’s Intellectual Property
- negotiate property leases
- draw up contracts for million pound investments, including the acquisition of 20% shareholding by Europe’s leading online fashion platform, Zalando
“Our work with Chris and Anatwine highlights our commitment to supporting entrepreneurial start up businesses and maintaining a relationship with them as they grow and expand,” explained Tim Ward, a Partner in BPE’s Corporate team. “We’re not just lawyers, we’re part of a business team, helping companies achieve their growth strategies and supporting them every step of the way.”
Anatwine’s growth plans are pretty ambitious both globally and in the UK and the company looks forward to further building their relationship with BPE.
“When you’re working in such a fast moving environment, you need to work with individuals you can trust and know have your absolute best interests at heart,” said Anatwine’s founder, Chris Griffin.
BPE’s dedicated team of corporate lawyers are experts in mergers and acquisitions, take-overs, flotations, management buy outs, disposals and private equity transactions for public and private companies.
From SME’s to listed and quoted companies across a wide range of industries nationally and internationally, we work with you through every stage of your business and with every step of your company’s growth.
If you have a project you’d like to talk to us about, please get in touch.
Tim Ward, Partner, BPE Corporate
Tel: 01242 248233
Email: tim.ward@bpe.co.uk

Pro-Bolt – World leaders in motorcycle nuts & bolts
Alongside the Directors and staff at Pro-Bolt, BPE has registered and negotiated the purchase of Pro-Bolt trade marks in the UK, advised on a brand-protection matters, applied for global trade mark protection, and assisted in restructuring the company.
Pro-Bolt Ltd is a family run business, based in the heart of England with a worldwide customer base that includes Castrol Honda Racing, Marc VDS, Air Kawasaki, Padgetts Honda, Seat Sport, Walt Disney (Signage Fasteners) and Lotus Cars. The company supplies products to the majority of the World and British Superbike Teams and now supply chassis builders FTR Moto and Suter Racing Technology in Moto 2.
From humble beginnings Pro-Bolt has grown to be recognised as the world’s leading supplier of high quality and bespoke motorcycle nuts and bolts with an annual turnover in excess of £2 million and a distribution network that spans the globe.
Pro-Bolt need a law firm they can turn to with any question and know they’ll get an answer quickly and cost effectively. Over the years they’ve built a great relationship with their lawyer at BPE. He’s passionate about motorcycles and actually uses their products, so he really knows their business and their market exceptionally well.
It’s not just about knowing the law, it’s about knowing their business.
Working alongside the Directors and staff at Pro-Bolt, BPE has:
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Registered and negotiated the purchase of Pro-Bolt trade marks in the UK
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Advised on a wide variety of brand-protection matters, including the taking down of websites selling infringing products and shutting eBay stores selling unlicensed products
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Applied for trade mark protection around the globe, including in Europe, Australia and America
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Advised on the structure of international distribution arrangements
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Settled a potential trade mark infringement claim
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Provided support and advice in relation to employment matters
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Assisted in the restructuring of the company to enable it to operate more efficiently and profitably
“BPE has been invaluable in helping our Company grow because they know our business inside out. Their support with trade mark issues and overseas distribution has enabled us to move into global markets and their range of legal services provide seamless support across the board.“ Kevin Harker, Director, Pro-Bolt Ltd

MandMDirect – High growth, online fashion retail
For the past 10 years, BPE has supported MandMDirect at every stage of the company’s evolution, including a management buy-out in 2004 by ECI Partners, shortly before the company’s re-branding to the recognisable MandMDirect brand of today.
MandMDirect Ltd has come a long way since founders Mark Ellis and Martin Churchward (the ‘two Ms’) joined forces in 1987 to sell end of line clearance sports products. The Company is now an international discount fashion retailer, turning over £113m a year, with more than three million active customers, 34 million website visits a year and a string of awards: Drapers Etailer of the Year, BT Retail Week’s Internet Technology of the Year, ECMOD Consumer Retailer of the Year for Sports, as well as recognition by The Sunday Times as one of the fastest growing venture capital owned companies in the UK.
Success has followed MandMDirect at every turn, and BPE has been working with the management team throughout.
For the past 10 years, BPE has supported MandM Direct at every stage of the company’s evolution, including a management buy-out in 2004 by ECI Partners, shortly before the company’s re-branding to the recognisable MandM Direct brand of today.
“Working with BPE’s commercial team is a refreshing change. We have relied on them for all our commercial legal advice over the past 10 years because of their ability to strip away the technical jargon, explain things in plain English and take a realistic, commercial view. From our point of view, speed of response is one of BPE’s strongest assets.” Mike Tomkins, Chief Executive MandMDirect.
Although initially retained to advise on property matters, the firm’s Commercial team soon became involved, supporting the Company over a trade mark battle with Masterfoods, who then owned the brand M&M.
Working alongside Mike Tomkins, Christian Harle and current chief executive Jonathon Brown, BPE has:
Provided support on various IT projects, including online retail channels through both Amazon and eBay
Worked on licensed deals with numerous well-known sports and High Street brands, such as Slazenger, Dunlop, Lonsdale, Kangol and Sondico
Advised in relation to prize draws and competitions, including a competition to become a model for MandMDirect’s catalogue
Assisted in the protection of their brand and domain names, both defensively against Masterfoods and in terms of protecting the goodwill generated from 26 years of successful trading, both in the UK and abroad
Drafted and reviewed contracts for MandMDirect’s affinity and charity partnerships, as well as financial sales agreements under the Financial Services legislation
Advised on numerous contracts with suppliers and key partners, such as Klarna and Hermes Parcelnet
Assisted with overseas growth by incorporating MandMDirect’s Irish sister company, streamlining sales channels in Germany and advising on contractual terms with online retail partners in France
Speak to Iain Garfield call 01242 248246 or email iain.garfield@bpe.co.uk

Le Creuset
Established in 1925, Le Creuset is recognised the world over for market-leading premium quality ranges of cookware and accessories.
Innovation remains at the forefront of Le Creuset's success and BPE's Science and Technology team work closely with them to ensure they achieve the results they want.

Fluid Transfer
Based in Gloucestershire, Fluid Transfer (FTi) is renowned for providing total refuelling solutions for aviation, marine and ground fuels. The company is recognised as the preferred partner to the world's major oil companies, into-plane operators and military defence organisations worldwide.
BPE has advised FTi in two key areas - with their International trade, advising on Terms and Conditions and with their HR requirements, helping the company to manage staff effectively and ensure Fluid Transfer is a good place to work.

Rosemary Water
Rosemary Water is the company behind the world’s first pure rosemary infused water, that provides health benefits and promotes long-life in its drinkers.
BPE acted for the newly established company throughout 2017, helping to secure investment, bringing in legal frameworks, drafting commercial agreements and providing guidance to ensure the new product meets regulatory requirements.

Rosemary Water is the company behind the world’s first pure rosemary infused water, that provides health benefits and promotes long-life in its drinkers. Inspired by the people of Acciaroli in Italy, where more than a tenth of the population enjoy life beyond their hundredth birthday, the founder of the company, David Spencer-Percival, set out to establish the No 1 Rosemary Water brand.
The relationship between Rosemary Water and BPE Solicitors initially came about through David reading an article in a regional business magazine in which Tim Ward, corporate partner, described the qualities entrepreneurs should look for in their legal team. The advice resonated with David, who chose to work with us over his usual London firm of lawyers. It is this partnership of like-minded individuals who look at things a little differently, that brings BPE clients exceptional results.
In the establishment of the new company, Tim has helped to:
- Successfully generate interest and facilitate investment from high net worth individuals to raise more than £1 million in less than seven months – without a conventional business plan and warranties
- Prepare all corporate documentation and establish the taxation basis for the company
- Draft commercial agreements, options and transfer arrangements for investor relationships
- Define the legal framework for commissioning R&D into the potential health benefits of the company’s products with a leading British university
The regulatory requirements in bringing a new product to market are strict and BPE has an in-depth understanding of this, providing pragmatic advice and guidance, while ensuring compliance with the legal framework. Because we know that clients, like David, require an accessible and responsive service, he’s always had easy access to Tim.
David Spencer-Percival, founder, Rosemary Water:
“Finding Tim at BPE was incredibly fortuitous. Right when I had the initial thoughts behind the new venture, I found a firm of lawyers that shared my approach to business. Entrepreneurs, owner-managed and with a real understanding of my goals, I have been incredibly impressed with the service provided by Tim and his team. I have referred several business contacts to him, such is my confidence with his work.”
About David Spencer-Percival
A true entrepreneur, David has achieved the rewards of great commercial success then chosen to sell and start all over again on more than one occasion, putting everything on the line personally. Now developing the Rosemary Water brand, he has shown his entrepreneurial heart, and raised more than one million pounds of investment for a company with no conventional business plan or warranties on investments. His products can be found in Harvey Nichols, Whole Foods and a number of upmarket hotels and retailers.
You can read the full case study by clicking HERE