Addleshaw Goddard is recognised as a market leader in the corporate arena, with the Leeds team demonstrating strong capabilities across M&A, capital markets, and private equity work. It has particular expertise in the technology, industrials, retail and consumer, and financial services sectors. Practice head Richard Hunt has extensive experience acting on M&A and private equity transactions for founders, entrepreneurs and private companies. Mark Hallam advises on financial services and M&A mandates, while Pete Wood acts for private equity houses and private companies. Carly Gulliver, who focuses on the transactions in the digital sector, is another key contact in the group.

DLA Piper has a strong reputation in the region for its corporate and commercial capabilities. It acts for a broad range of household-name clients and international corporates on both national and cross-border M&A transactions, restructurings, IPOs, secondary fundraises, and private equity deals. Beyond that, the commercial team has particular expertise in the retail and consumer goods sectors. Andrew Davies heads the team, with demonstrable experience acting for listed and private companies on corporate matters. Stephen Atkinson, Victoria Rhodes and John Gallon are also noted for their broad corporate expertise, while Matthew Duncombe leads on commercial matters. Amar Maan focuses on the financial services and infrastructure sectors.

The corporate team at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP are well regarded for their sector expertise in the food and drink, retail, industrials, and financial services spaces. It acts for a range of clients, including private companies, PLCs, and private equity houses on a broad spectrum of local and multi-jurisdictional mandates. Practice head Robin Skelton specialises in private equity and M&A transactions, and is supported by principal associate Russell Naglis. Other notable practitioners include Amanda Partland, who acts for multi-nationals on cross-border deals, and Robin Johnson, who has significant international M&A experience.

Pinsent Masons LLP has a broad corporate practice, with the team regularly acting on a range of public and private M&A deals, as well as private equity and capital markets transactions. Key sector strengths include the technology, consumer, manufacturing, real estate, infrastructure, and financial services spaces. On the commercial side, the team has specialist expertise in the technology, retail, and sport sectors. Andrew Black heads the corporate team, while Lisa Harley leads the commercial group. Also noted are Andrew Kerr, who acts on domestic and international M&A transactions, and legal director Catherine Hemsworth, who advises property funds and investors in the real estate and healthcare sectors.

Squire Patton Boggs has a leading corporate and commercial practice, with the team regularly handling a variety of private equity, capital markets and M&A transactions, both at national and international levels. Key sectors of focus for the team include food and drink, tech and fintech, and industrial products. The group is co-led by Hannah Kendrick, who has substantial experience advising on cross-border corporate transactions, and Paul Jinks, who specialises in commercial and IP matters. Paul Mann focuses on private equity-related matters, as does Mae Salem. Hannah Crosland primarily focuses on mid-market M&A and equity capital markets transactions, while senior associate Louisa Hine is particularly active in the technology and digital sector. Jonathan Jones is also noted for his private equity expertise.

Walker Morris LLP is well regarded for its corporate expertise in the region, with a strong track record acting across private equity, equity capital markets, and cross-border M&A mandates. It has particular expertise in the food and drink, manufacturing and industrial, and technology sectors. John Hamer heads the group, with demonstrable experience in handling public and private company take-overs and acquisitions, private equity investments and joint ventures. Debbie Jackson leads on funds-related matters, while Richard Naish handles matters arising out of the food and drink sector. Daniel O’Gorman is noted for his cross-border M&A and UK ECM transactions expertise, while Oliver Duke acts on inbound M&A mandates. Jo Stephenson has experience in the healthcare sector.

Clarion’s corporate and commercial team handles a full spectrum of matters. On the corporate side, it is particularly active in the digital and technology sector, as well as in the waste sector. Richard Moran heads the corporate group, with considerable expertise in handling M&A and private equity matters, and is supported by Jonathan Simms and legal director Tony Berry. Matthew Hattersley leads the commercial practice and handles IT and technology-related matters. Legal director Sarah Harrison is also noted for her expertise in the digital marketing sector.

Gordons LLP is recognised for its corporate and commercial expertise in the region, with demonstrable experience in the retail, technology, and financial services sectors. Practice head James Fawcett handles M&A and private equity transactions, with particular expertise in the motor trade and retail sectors, while Jonathan Asquez acts for entrepreneur clients and Duncan Firman advises on matters for SMEs to large corporates. Amy Pierechod and Ryan Gracey have both recently been promoted to partnership.

Shoosmiths LLP’s corporate team has considerable experience in handling M&A and private equity transaction for both national and international clients. In particular, it has notable expertise advising on inbound European transactions for European clients. The team is led by James Foster, who has a broad corporate finance practice that covers acquisitions and divestments, venture capital, growth equity, private equity investments and joint ventures. Simon Procter advises on public and private M&A and corporate restructuring mandates. Principal associate Natalie Hager who assists on private equity transactions, is another key contact in the group.

Keys areas of expertise for Blacks Solicitors LLP include acting on transactions in the healthcare sector, as well as in acting for insurance brokers. The team is co-headed by Nigel Hoyle, who has demonstrable experience in the food and drink manufacturing arena, and Phil Parkinson, who specialises in commercial and data protection matters. Saby Sambhi and senior associate Alex Hall act for SMEs and owner-managed businesses, while Pete Bott recently joined the firm and has expanded the practice’s capabilities in the music industry. Lewis Goodwin is another key contact in the group.

Lupton Fawcett handles a broad range of corporate matters, including acquisitions for VC-backed vehicles, M&A, and share incentive schemes. It is particularly active in the healthcare sector, as well as acting for start-up and high growth companies. Team head Giles Clegg has extensive experience in handling M&A matters, while Jonathan Oxley specialises in early stage and growth funding, partnerships and share scheme matters. Rory Conwill recently joined from Knights plc.

Mills & Reeve LLP handles a broad range of transactions across its core sectors of expertise, including technology and media, retail, waste management, food and agribusiness, healthcare, and insurance. Beyond that, the commercial team has demonstrable experience in the government and education sectors. Paul Johnson heads the corporate group, while Martin Priestley leads the commercial team.  Joanna Jowitt focuses on mid-market M&A and Alex Kenworthy advises international clients investing in the UK market. Vanessa Walton is also noted for her M&A experience, acting for both domestic and international clients.

Schofield Sweeney advises both individuals and public and private companies on a full spectrum of mandates. It regularly acts alongside the firm’s wider private client practice, lending to the team’s capabilities in handling tax and succession planning matters. David Strachan focuses on acquisitions and disposals, while Martin Sweeney has experience in the financial services and automotive sectors. Steven Millward and Karen Crutchley both have broad corporate and commercial practice, and Lucy Holroyd focuses on corporate transactions.

3volution Limited handles a broad range of corporate and M&A matters for SMEs, and is particularly active in the technology, digital and gaming arenas. It also acts for entrepreneurial clients, including those with an IP base to the business. Team head Jonathan Priestley has considerable experience in the field, acting for SMEs to PLCs, while Michael Cantwell acts for acquiring groups, MBO teams, and sellers.

The corporate team at DWF have a broad range of expertise, including acting on national and multi-jurisdictional M&A, equity capital markets, and acquisitions. Practice head Lester Wilson has considerable corporate finance experience, including ECM, private equity, and mainstream M&A matters. Other notable practitioners include Wendy Harrison and Jonathan Procter, who act for a range of clients in the financial services and hospitality and leisure sectors, respectively.

Freeths LLP advises on private acquisitions and disposal matters, particularly in relation to owner-managed businesses with investment capital being injected. Beyond that, the team is also well-versed in handling M&A, MBO, MBI and ECM transactions, corporate restructuring and reorganisations, in addition to commercial matters. The leadership team consists of Dahren Naidoo, Andy Francey, and Jeremy Swift. Frank Suttie leads the commercial side of the practice.

Harrowells Solicitors’s commercial group is led by Matthew Rowley, who has demonstrable experience of handling a range of deals across numerous industries, including acquisitions, business disposals, business sales, and cross-jurisdictional transactions. The team also works closely with the firm’s wider employment practice, bolstering its capabilities in employment-related commercial matters.

LCF Law acts for SMEs, owner-managed and family businesses on a full spectrum of mandates, though it has particular expertise advising on matters relating to employee ownership trusts. It also has a growing practice acting for healthcare sector clients, including GP and dental practices, pharmacies, and social and residential care homes. Susan Clark heads the team, and is supported by Cathy Cook, who focuses on EOT transactions.

Raworths’ corporate team advise on acquisitions and disposals, equity investments, shareholder agreements, demergers and restructurings, and succession planning matters. Team head Jon Healey handles M&A and other corporate transactions, with demonstrable experience in handling commercial agreements. Simon Morris focuses on the SME sector, while Thaynara Charlesworth primarily acts on restructuring transactions for HNWIs.

Ward Hadaway LLP acts for a broad spectrum of clients, including individuals and entrepreneurs, SMEs, owner-managed businesses, public companies, equity funders, and debt providers. The corporate team, led by Adrian Ballam, has experience in the healthcare, technology, energy, manufacturing, and food and drink sectors. Jonathan Pollard is another key contact in the corporate group, while Bill Goodwin leads the commercial practice, which has particular know-how in IP, IT and telecommunications, and data protection-related matters.

Berwins acts for technology-based businesses on commercial matters. Paul Berwin leads the team and has considerable experience in handling commercial and corporate matters in the region, with particular expertise in dealing with owner-managed business and transactions, often involving a cross-border element. Oliver King has recently been promoted to associate director.

Bevan Brittan LLP is well-versed in handling both public and private sector corporate transactions, including M&A, joint ventures, private equity investments, management buy-outs, and secondary market activity. It has particular expertise acting for local authorities, the NHS, and central government bodies. The team is co-headed by Chris Harper and Christian Hunt, both of whom have considerable corporate experience.

Counting mid-market and large-scale private companies, in addition to regional-based PLCs, among its key roster of clients, Hill Dickinson LLP is noted for its expertise in handling corporate healthcare transactions, as well as general corporate matters. Sandip Khroud, who focuses on all aspects of corporate finance, including M&A, disposals and joint ventures, jointly leads the team alongside Alison Starr, who joined from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP in January 2023 and advises on a range of corporate deals and company law mandates.

McCormicks is well regarded for its expertise in the sports sector, with the team acting for clients such as the Premier League, Leeds United FC and Norwich City FC. Beyond that, it is also active in the hospitality and leisure sectors, as well as acting for owner-managed companies. The team is co-headed by Peter McCormick and James Towler from Harrogate.

Ramsdens Solicitors LLP’s corporate and commercial team is co-led by Stephen Newman and Adam Cockroft from Huddersfield. Newman focuses on advising owner-managed businesses on commercial transaction and tax-driven reconstructions. Meanwhile, Cockroft’s practice spans a wide range of corporate matters, including acquisitions and disposal, share sales and purchases, MBOs, and joint ventures. Richard Dean has recently departed the firm.

Tyr was founded in 2019 and has been continuing to bolster its corporate and commercial offerings. Chris Blantern heads the corporate group and acts for a wide spectrum of clients, ranging from SMEs to national public and private companies. Luisa D’Alessandro leads the commercial team, and has a broad practice that covers trading arrangements, agency and distribution matters, supply and manufacturing contracts, franchising, and outsourcing.