Shakespeare Martineau moving to smaller Leicester office
Shakespeare Martineau is moving its Leicester office to space across the road. The law firm is relocating from No 2 Colton Square to No 1 Colton Square. The move will come less than six months after Freeths law firm moved its Leicester operation from No 2 to No 1 Colton Square. Shakespeare Martineau has been based in the office complex on the site of the city’s old police station for the past decade. Management said the change of space would not see any jobs lost and would give it a more “agile” working environment in line with people working from home more of the time following the pandemic. The firm is taking 9,500 sq ft of first floor space from mid-June, compared to its existing offices which covers 12,500 sq ft. A spokewsoman said the new space was better configured, partly because the firm did not need as much storage due to moving to digital records. It also keeps the team less than five minutes' walk from Leicester train station and comes a week after the business announced it was opening a new permanent office in Lincoln. The current Leicester headcount is 135 – up from 124, two years ago – and parent group Ampa said it is recruiting across its businesses. Louise Ingram, co-head of the Leicester office, said: “It was time for a refresh of our Leicester office hub to better reflect our working practices and to bring together our people and clients in a rejuvenated, modern environment. “No. 1 Colton Square offers an updated, accessible and agile space for our people and clients to work and collaborate in. Having previously been occupied by a tech company, it gives us a fantastic, modernised base on which we can put our personalised stamp. “Following feedback from our people for greater flexibility, we launched our empowered working principles in 2021, which give our people flexibility on when and where they work, within the parameters of ensuring that we provide best service to our clients.” Lisa Botterill, also co-head of Leicester, said: “We remain absolutely committed to Leicester for the long-term, recognised by our strong connections and heritage across the city and throughout the surrounding area.
Law firm Osborne Clarke secures funding package to accelerate overseas growth
Law firm Osborne Clarke has secured a £10m funding package to further its international growth. The international firm, which has its headquarters in Finzels Reach, Bristol, wants to continue to expand across Europe and Asia, plus further grow its US business development team that supports US sector clients to establish, grow and manage their overseas operations. The 10-year-old firm secured the funding from HSBC UK. Osborne Clarke will also use the £10m package to invest in its Cloud-first IT strategy with market-leading software and systems to help its clients across the world. Read more:Law firm Osborne Clarke announces revenues of £380m for the last financial year Osborne Clarke’s international chief executive, Omar Al-Nuaimi, said: “While we are an international firm, we’re incredibly proud of our Bristol roots. Since setting our expansion strategy in 2011, we've grown from six to 25 international offices, most recently launching in Poland. We have our sights set on further growth and are on track to reach €500m turnover by 2025. "Our longstanding relationship with HSBC UK and this recent funding has supported this mission, aiding growth and improved collaboration between our international teams and the services we offer our global clients." David Skyrme, head of professional services in South West Region at HSBC UK, commented: “Osborne Clarke is a standout success story for Bristol. Through HSBC UK’s ten-year long relationship with the firm, we’ve seen it go from strength-to-strength, championing its social and environmental governance values through its services, while also achieving huge growth across the globe. “We’re proud to support such forward-thinking firm as it continues its growth journey, invests in technology and makes a valuable difference to the businesses it serves.” In June 2023 the firm released its financial results for the latest financial year where it recorded a 19% increase in global revenues in the last financial year. The company, which employs around 1,600 staff in 26 offices worldwide, recorded revenues of €407m (£349.8m) for 2021/22 - representing a 66% increase over five years. Osborne Clarke added that it increased its investment in recruitment across key international sectors and services over the past 12 months announcing multiple partner-level hires.
Private equity giant Inflexion in talks to buy global law firm DWF
Private equity group Inflexion is in talks to buy global law firm DWF. DWF, which is headquartered in Manchester, confirmed the news in a statement issued to the London Stock Exchange in response to reports in the media. Under the terms of the proposed deal, DWF's shareholders would be entitled to receive a total consideration of 100p per share. READ MORE: Click here to sign up to the BusinessLive North West newsletter DWF shares have fallen about 19% in this year. Its shares closed at 65.50p on Friday, July 7, giving the group a market value of £224m. Shares in the firm jumped by more than 30% shortly after the potential deal was revealed. DWF said: "DWF has confirmed to Inflexion that should a firm offer be made by Inflexion on the financial terms of the proposal, it would be minded to unanimously recommend it to DWF shareholders, subject to the agreement of other terms and conditions. "The announcement of a firm intention to make an offer remains subject to the satisfaction or waiver (by Inflexion) of a number of pre-conditions, including, inter alia, completion of satisfactory due diligence, receipt of irrevocable undertakings to vote in favour of the transaction and to elect to receive the partial loan note alternative or to elect to receive the reinvestment alternative from certain key DWF partners, and agreement of the detailed terms of the proposal. "Discussions between DWF and Inflexion are ongoing and there can be no certainty that an offer will be made, even if the pre-conditions are satisfied or waived." As well as Manchester, DWF has UK offices in Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London and Newcastle. It also has offices in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, India, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, the UAE and USA. In the 12 months to April 30, 2022, DWF's revenue totalled £416.1m while it made a pre-tax profit of £22.3m. In the six months to October 31, 2022, the group's revenue was £212.1m and its pre-tax profit was £12.9m. For its latest financial year, DWF said it expects to report a net revenue of around £380m.
Flint Bishop recruits rival firm’s entire real estate team
Derby law firm Flint Bishop has recruited of the entire real estate team from national law firm Freeths’ office in the city. Janet Rhodes, Sam Shepherd and Louise Calow, together with two legal assistants, have joined the commercial property department, making it one of the biggest real estate teams in the region. The previous achievements included overseeing a complex private rented sector (PRS) scheme in Manchester, which had an estimated gross development value of more than £120 million. They also worked on the £18 million acquisition of a care home portfolio and a £9 million acquisition on behalf of a national bingo operator. Ms Rhodes was head of Freeths' Derby real estate practice, where she was a partner. She has more than 25 years in the sector representing high-profile clients. As a partner at Flint Bishop, she will lead an 18-strong commercial property team. Sam Shepherd was previously a director at Freeths and has become a partner at Flint Bishop. She has broad experience in property matters including option agreements, acquisitions, leases, disposals, funding, sub-sales, infrastructure agreements, and collaboration agreements. She has particular expertise in commercial development, notably brownfield urban developments. Louise Calow has joined as a senior associate, bringing extensive experience in commercial and residential acquisitions and disposals, landlord and tenant matters, re-finance/banking and general property affairs. She has been an honorary legal advisor to the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust since 2019, reflecting her commitment to preserving the region’s architectural heritage. Flint Bishop has seen a sustained period of growth in recent years with its headcount up more than 10 per cent over the last year at more than 200. It reported an 11 per cent increase in turnover for the year to April 30 2023, of £19.4 million. Janet Rhodes said: “I am thrilled, along with Sam and Louise, to be joining Flint Bishop at such an exciting time, with the flagship new office having recently been opened and on the back of such a successful last financial year. “I am really looking forward to working with such a highly accomplished team of real estate lawyers and support staff and building on the breadth of impressive work, team experience, and client base that Flint Bishop has already established." Flint Bishop chief executive Qamer Ghafoor said: "These strategic hires represent a major coup for Flint Bishop, significantly enhancing our capabilities and establishing a stronger presence in the real estate sector.
Hudgell's national recognition for customer service as Manchester Arena Bombing work praised
Hull-based Hudgell Solicitors’ commitment to providing the very best service and support to clients has been recognised at a national legal awards event. The firm won the Customer Focus Award at the 2023 Lexis Nexis Awards in London. The annual celebration recognises excellence and innovation across the legal sector. Judges were impressed by Hudgells' complete commitment to taking on and fighting difficult cases that many others had rejected, and a client promise which is strictly followed. Read more: Regional law firm opens new Lincolnshire Wolds base as offices merged Chief executive Rachel Di Clemente said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won this award. There is no better accolade than being recognised as a legal firm which truly looks after its clients. “Hudgell has always been a firm which has been fiercely committed to its clients, it is something Neil Hudgell instilled from day one at the firm and has led ever since. “Over years that commitment to client care has never faltered, even though the business has grown and become a truly national legal firm. “In fact, over the past few years we have placed an increasing focus on ensuring our work is all about standing up for the vulnerable and giving a voice to those seeking justice. These are values which are embedded in the Hudgell DNA. “This wasn’t recognition for some shiny new product; rather it was in recognition of traditional client care; putting the client first and instilling a culture where this is the primary focus. “I am hugely proud of our team, and how we refuse to compromise on our promise to clients. This award is recognition of a team that truly cares, and is one they are fully deserving of.” The client promise ensures a dedicated lawyer, regular case updates with a commitment to return every call or email within 24 hours. A culture across the firm of offering pro bono legal help was also recognised, as was work to support more than 150 injured survivors of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing with free legal and financial advice, and funding rehabilitation on their behalf.
Birmingham Law Society appoints youngest-ever president
A trade body has appointed the youngest-ever president in its 205-year history. Birmingham Law Society has welcomed 31-year-old Alice Kinder into the role at the association which represents more than 9,000 legal professionals across the city and surrounding area. She is a senior associate in the employment team at Bexley Beaumont in Birmingham and also a visiting lecturer at Birmingham Newman University and the University of Law and a social mobility ambassador for The Law Society of England and Wales. Last week, she won the legal category at the 2023 Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Awards. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. Ms Kinder said: "I am delighted to be taking office as the youngest president in the society's history. I would like us to remember this moment as not just one in which there has been a change in leadership but one in which there has been a change in the narrative of our profession. "As a moment which shows that the legal world is no longer bound by established norms but is evolving to be more inclusive, representative and reflective of the diverse society it serves." Her one-year term will be focused on two themes - community and opportunity. She is hoping to foster connections, become more integrated within the wider city and contribute to a stronger and more compassionate society alongside ensuring everyone has the same chance to achieve their aspirations, both within the legal profession and the society. Ms Kinder said she was passionate about social mobility and would be working with partner charity the Social Mobility Foundation to launch the society's first-ever social mobility pledge. She is calling on every individual and organisation within Birmingham's legal community to make a firm commitment to fostering equal opportunities. Ms Kinder will also be launching an online internship to support law students from all backgrounds to gain experience and plans to run her first marathon in April to raise funds for the Social Mobility Foundation. She will also be diversifying the society's networking opportunities to facilitate closer connections with the business community and events outside of the city centre.