Richard Wrigley

Partner

Richard Wrigley

Partner

Email Richard

+44 (0)121 312 2567

Birmingham

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Sectors

Richard is a partner in the corporate team and is based in the Birmingham office. He is a vastly experienced transactional lawyer whose practice includes mergers and acquisitions, institutional exits, corporate restructurings and reorganisations. He is also recognised for his corporate governance expertise.

Transactions that Richard works on are typically complex, strategic, or high value in nature, and many of them have an international dimension, particularly North America and the EU. He brings project management skills, as well as being hands on, to deliver projects to the highest standards. Richard has a particular focus on the business support, technology, and energy sectors, where he is able to utilise his industry-specific insights. A trusted adviser to many long-standing entrepreneurs and businesses, Richard is also a non-executive director for Claverley Group Limited, which has reinvented itself since 2018 from traditional print media, such as the Express & Star newspaper, to a more modern communications focus.

I bring a genuine commitment to helping clients achieve their goals as well as a blend of expertise and commercial understanding to every project. My ability to listen, understand and tailor solutions to individual needs ensures that my clients feel valued and supported throughout our collaboration.

Richard Wrigley, Partner

Ranked as a leading individual by Chambers UK and the Legal 500, Richard has been described by the directories as ‘a seasoned and high-quality professional’ and ‘an excellent lawyer’. Clients say that Richard is not only ‘very experienced, knowledgeable and totally trustworthy’, but he is also ‘technically strong with very pragmatic, client-focused advice’.

Recent work highlights

Iconic Dr Martens footwear

Acting for the Griggs family on the £3.7 billion IPO of Dr Martens plc, the iconic footwear brand, and the sale of Dr Martens for £300 million to Permira Private Equity, while also retaining an equity stake in the business.

International sale

Advising on the sale of HL Plastics to Quanex, a quoted US buyer, for $145 million. Also acting for the entrepreneurial founders on the original MBO, a buyback of part of the business, and this second sale.

Inward investment from EU

Acting for Apave SA, a French headquartered PE backed multinational, on its acquisition of PPL, the leading regulatory training business with a focus on safe systems of work and technical compliance training courses.

EV consultancy sale

Advising the shareholders of Drive System Design, an award-winning and globally trusted engineering consultancy, on its sale to Hinduja Tech, an Indian world-class engineering services company. The sale included a substantial US business.

3D mesh software provider

Advising UK-based 3D mesh software provider, Point Fuse, on the sale of its core IP and technology to American multinational software corporation, Autodesk.

Strategic acquisitions

Acting for Socotec, the UK’s leading provider and leading European player in testing, inspection and certification services, on the two separate acquisitions of Quadrant Building Control and Shore Engineering, which provide a range of professional services to the construction industry.

Leading regional newspaper

Advising Claverley Group Limited on the sale of the Midland News Association, one of Britain’s largest independent media agencies, to National World, a leading UK media organisation.

Exhibition business acquisition

Advising Claverley Group Limited on the acquisition of exhibition design and build business, Extreme Exhibitions, the sixth acquisition by Claverley Group since 2018.

Unique media asset

Leading the sale of a premier Guernsey media business to a Guernsey-based asset manager, including leading negotiations and managing the Guernsey legal advisers and pensions advisers.

International defence sale

Advising Horstman Holdings Limited, a leading solution provider in the global armour and tracked vehicle mobility markets, on its sale to German based RENK AG, including working with US counsel to obtain CFIUS clearance.

Governance advice

Advising the directors of a leading strategic land business in relation to a range of governance issues arising from the sale of the company to a competitor.

Family investment companies

Advising a range of very high net worth families on the establishment of family investment companies (FICs), tax-efficient alternative to trusts which allow business founders to pass wealth to future generations while retaining control.

Leading regional newspaper

Advising Claverley Group Limited on the sale of the Midland News Association, one of Britain’s largest independent media agencies, to National World, a leading UK media organisation.

Exhibition business acquisition

Advising Claverley Group Limited on the acquisition of exhibition design and build business, Extreme Exhibitions, the sixth acquisition by Claverley Group since 2018.

Unique media asset

Leading the sale of a premier Guernsey media business to a Guernsey-based asset manager, including leading negotiations and managing the Guernsey legal advisers and pensions advisers.

International defence sale

Advising Horstman Holdings Limited, a leading solution provider in the global armour and tracked vehicle mobility markets, on its sale to German based RENK AG, including working with US counsel to obtain CFIUS clearance.

Governance advice

Advising the directors of a leading strategic land business in relation to a range of governance issues arising from the sale of the company to a competitor.

Family investment companies

Advising a range of very high net worth families on the establishment of family investment companies (FICs), tax-efficient alternative to trusts which allow business founders to pass wealth to future generations while retaining control.

External recognition
Rankings from respected legal directories reflect the reputation our lawyers have earned across their key sectors and areas of practice.

What people are saying

Always on hand to offer pragmatic, commercially aware advice; something I have come to rely on over the years passed and deals done.

Corporate client

Richard Wrigley is a seasoned and high-quality professional.

Chambers UK

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