Law firm’s deal activity of over £420m shows growing optimism in market

During the period, the seven-partner team have worked on some of the region’s highest profile deals including the multi-million pound MBO at 250-year old tool manufacturer, Spear & Jackson.

Other deals in the region that Irwin Mitchell in Yorkshire has advised on include the £21m acquisition of Ask4 by Darwin Private Equity, the sale of bathroom company Cavalier to HLD Group, Lockton’s acquisition of motorsport insurance broker MIS Motorsport, the £2.5m growth capital investment in Horbury Group and Rotherham-based Underwood Meat Company’s purchase of Butlers.

Andrea Cropley, head of corporate and commercial in the North at Irwin Mitchell, said: “This is a great achievement by the team and reflects our tenacity and determination to complete deals in what remains to be a challenging market.

“We are continuing to see a great deal of activity and although there are still some uncertainties in the market, confidence is returning and I expect activity levels to continue to improve over the next six months. Our pipeline looks healthy and we are optimistic about the rest of the year.”

Dean Gormley, head of banking in the North at Irwin Mitchell, said: “The latest lending report from the Bank of England revealed that net lending was up but that the amount lent to SMEs continued to fall with many appearing to reduce their debt levels, or looking at alternative sources.

“Growth is however entrenched and despite problems in the lending market, we remain confident for the remainder of 2014.”

Other partners in the team include Paul Johnson, Kevin Cunningham, Simon Cuerden, 
Matt Ainsworth and Laurence Gavin.