Browne Jacobson’s half year deals activity exceeds £500m

Browne Jacobson’s Manchester office has seen the value of deals which its corporate, banking and real estate teams have advised on exceed an aggregate of £500m in the first half of its financial year, a major milestone for the firm which has grown its transactions offering considerably over the same period.

The news comes despite the national and global headwinds currently constraining investment in the region and across the UK, with the firm now advising on some of the most complex and high value transactions across the North West.

In the past six months, Browne Jacobson has advised on major transactions that cover a wide range of industries. These include acting for Innospec Inc, an international speciality chemicals company, on the refinancing of its multi-currency revolving credit facilities of up to $250 million; acting for Arlington Industries, an international automotive and aerospace components manufacturer, in relation to its £95 million cross-border asset based lending facility; and acting for Apiary Capital on its secondary buyout of Connect Managed Services and the associated merger with its other portfolio company, G3 Comms.

Other deals include acting for nmcn plc on its strategic acquisition of Lintott Environmental Technologies and Lintott Control Systems; acting for YHA on its acquisition of two hostel businesses; as well as acting for a government agency on the disposal of development sites for 2,000 homes.

Just last week, the firm’s banking team was named in the ‘Deal of the Year (sub £10m)’ category at the Insider North West Dealmakers Awards 2019 for their work on the £7.5m investment into Joloda International Group by BGF.

In the past 12-18 months, Browne Jacobson has actively invested in its people across its North West transaction teams, including corporate transaction partner Peter Allen and associate Ryan Brown. Existing partners Jonathan Edwards  (banking practice lead), and partner Dominic Buckley (who heads up the 12-strong real estate practice in Manchester), continue to deliver impressive results and growth. Since the establishment of its office at No.1 Spinningfields in December 2017, the firm now boasts a 16-strong Manchester team across the three transaction disciplines.

Peter Allen, corporate transaction partner at Browne Jacobson, said:

“To cross the £500m transactions value, by a healthy margin, just halfway through our financial year is a milestone moment for the firm. It is a clear indicator of the rising standard of our transactions practice in the region, as we continue to work with a fantastic range of clients and fellow professionals across the North West.

“The pipeline for the second half of the year is looking very strong, with a number of high value transactions either engaged or underway. It gives us great confidence as we continue our drive to grow the nationally recognised Browne Jacobson brand and offering in the North West.”