Growing interest in regional companies from buyers both at home and overseas is helping to fuel growth for the corporate and commercial team at North East law firm Hay & Kilner.
The Newcastle-headquartered firm has risen to seventh in the latest Experian review of the region’s top ten legal advisers for merger and acquisition work on the back of rising activity, particularly in the veterinary, care home and pharmaceutical sectors, and increasing attention being given to regional firms from potential buyers across mainland Europe.
And with a strong pipeline of ongoing projects progressing alongside the recent launch of the new £120m North East Fund, it is expecting to see its corporate and commercial work increase still further through the rest of the year.
Hay & Kilner worked on two deals which were shortlisted at the 2017 Insider North East Dealmakers Awards – the management buy-out and acquisition of Indigo Software (Holdings) Ltd and the sale of Van Mildert to Adlington Capital – and has also been shortlisted in the corporate and commercial category of the 2018 Northern Law Awards.
It recently added solicitor Ben Jackson to the corporate and commercial team, and is anticipating to make further appointments to help meet growing demand for its services from new and existing clients.
Jonathan Waters, managing partner at Hay & Kilner Law Firm, says: “Business confidence remains as important as ever, and with the volume of deals increasing, it seems that the ever-pragmatic North East business community is simply getting on with the job.
“It has been encouraging to note growing levels of interest in North East firms from mainland Europe, which we believe is recognition of the quality of the businesses based here, and of the potential that outside buyers see that they have to grow and succeed in the region.
“It’s generally taking a little longer to get deals over the line than it did before the financial crisis as all parties are, quite rightly, being more careful in carrying out ever more detailed due diligence, which makes it less likely there will be any unwelcome surprises for buyers further down the line.”
Mark Adams, partner in the corporate and commercial team, adds: “The launch of the North East Fund can only be a shot in the arm for the regional economy, and it’s good to see some new fund managers becoming active here for the first time through the Fund alongside others that have been established in the North East for many years.
“Mergers and acquisitions of all sizes and values have long been a significant part of our work, but we’re seeing demand grow for our corporate and commercial law services, especially for higher value and more complex projects, and we are committed to investing in and strengthening the team to ensure we have the resources in place to meet it.”
Established in 1946, Hay & Kilner is one of North East England’s leading independent law firms and provides a full range of legal services to businesses and individuals from both within and outside the region.
