Harrison Clark Rickerbys confirms strong half-year of business service transactions

Leading regional solicitors firm, Harrison Clark Rickerbys, is reporting signs of economic momentum within the corporate legal transactions it has conducted for businesses across the UK during the past six months.

The half-year results just announced by the business services department of Harrison Clark Rickerbys, which has bases in Worcester, Cheltenham, Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and the Thames Valley, confirm that transactions worth a combined £142.4 million were handled by its 19-strong team in the first half of 2013. 

However more importantly, says the firm, within these transactions it has identified an evolution in the optimism and approach of companies needing legal expertise in areas such as corporate acquisitions, restructures, disposals and investments.

Rod Thomas, Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ managing partner and head of business services confirms: “We provide advice across a huge range of market sectors, to companies both large and small, and all types of corporate and commercial transaction.  Whilst there is continued cautiousness in the market, in the past six months we have noticed an increase in general transactional activity as companies look to improve their prospects for the future.  In addition the mood amongst business owners and operators is in many cases more buoyant.  Clients are continuing to conduct quite lengthy due diligence exercises before committing to major developments, but they are regarding changes and opportunities with more optimism.”

As well as core types of corporate transaction such as acquisitions, sales, restructures and investments, Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ business services expertise also covers areas such as loans, incorporations and share transfers.  Key recent projects have included the £8 million management buyout of Teamsport Racing, Europe’s biggest chain of go-karting tracks; acting for US manufacturing company Precision Castparts Corp in its disposal of a UK and Asian subsidiary; and the £600,000 acquisition of software solutions company Feedback Data plc by Belgravium Technologies plc.

Ongoing transactions currently being managed by the firm’s business services team include acting for a buy and build strategist in the healthcare sector, and a major venture capital exit from a nationally recognised brand.

Harrison Clark Rickerbys has 350 staff and partners based in Worcester, Cheltenham, Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and the Thames Valley, who provide a complete spectrum of City-quality legal services to business and private clients.  The firm was formed in April 2013 following a co-operation agreement between the long established regional law firms Harrison Clark Ltd and Rickerbys LLP.  For more details, visit www.hcrlaw.com.