Strong corporate practice acting for clients from a range of sectors such as technology, life sciences and retail. Offers an impressive national and international network to clients, including a wide range of early-stage growth and startup companies, along with significant expertise in venture capital investment matters.
Strengths: One client reveals: ‘Pennington Manches Cooper gives us all the legal guidance that we need and provides a prompt and efficient service.’
Interviewees praise the ‘very responsive and high-quality work’ they get from the firm.
Notable practitioners
William Axtell advises corporate clients on transactional matters, often with an international element
Simon Bickerdike is the national head of Pennington Manches Cooper's corporate team. He advises a national and international clientele. ‘Simon Bickerdike is a knowledgeable lawyer who is able to think and act on his feet on complicated and nuanced matters.’
Helen Drayton's corporate practice encompasses a range of transactional work. Clients benefit from her extensive experience in sales and acquisitions. ‘Helen Drayton is an excellent lawyer.’
David Kendall ‘is very commercial, pragmatic and always available’. ‘He is able to communicate complex matters to a varied audience so that all understand the situation.’
Sebastian Orton ‘is commercial, sensible and good at getting the deal done’.
David Tighe handles tech sector mergers and acquisitions for clients including private equity and venture capital funds. He regularly handles cross-border M&A work.
Chambers UK - 2022 edition
Jointly led by Matthew Martin and Guildford-based Simon Bickerdike, the M&A practice at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP works with a number of high-net-worth entrepreneurs, owner-managed businesses, investors and publicly-listed companies on a range of transactions. The team is regularly sought out by clients with significant offshore interests. Martin, who also serves as co-head of the firm's fashion, luxury and lifestyle sector group, has been a driving force behind the increasing volume of accelerated sales, restructurings and reorganisations, while Seb Orton's cross-sector experience encompasses IPOs, secondary fundraisings and public company takeovers. Michaela Britton is a key figure for cross-border corporate transactions.
‘The Penningtons corporate team is outstanding – creative, diligent, highly responsive, always focused on working efficiently and effectively on behalf of clients – a delight to work with.’
‘Will Axtell goes the extra mile for his clients and is always available when needed.’
‘Simon Bickerdike is highly regarded by clients, is a clear thinker, proactive and user-friendly.’
‘Michaela Britton stands out as she is very approachable, easy to work with, easy to develop a professional relationship with.’
‘David Kendall stands out head and shoulders above any other lawyer I have ever worked with. His personable demeanour works and its genuinely given but when required, David has cast-iron tenacity and if asked to describe him I would say he was fiercely intellectual.’
‘We also work regularly with David Tighe, who is a highly effective lawyer and adviser and whose work is unfailingly top-notch.’
‘Philip Walton made me feel like a member of his family, and I have no doubt that Phil had my very best interest at heart right the way along.’
‘Our main current relationship is with James Went, who is brilliant. He is both cerebral and commercial -always happy to discuss details of a point of legal analysis, while also constantly focused on the practicalities of what the business needs. And his work is always thorough, accurate and effective.
The Legal 500 - 2022 edition
National firm with a growing reputation for its international capabilities, acting for a wide-ranging domestic and international client base on the full range of corporate matters. Provides notable expertise in acting for local high-growth and technology companies on overseas investment matters, as well as for clients in the healthcare sector. Draws on support from the firm's real estate and private wealth teams to provide clients with a comprehensive transactional service.
Strengths: An interviewee states: 'They are very collaborative, smart, effective and approachable.'
One source reports: 'They are commercially minded, versatile and conscientious.'
Notable practitioners
Joint head of corporate Simon Bickerdike is a leading individual in the region. He advises a national and international clientele, with a particular focus on M&A in the technology and education sectors.
William Axtell advises corporate clients on transactional matters, often with an international element. 'He is very easy to work with and is superbly professional.'
Helen Drayton's corporate practice encompasses a range of transactional work. Clients benefit from her extensive experience in sales and acquisitions. 'She is straight-talking, factual, solution-driven and has all hands on getting the deal done.'
David Kendall acts for a range of clients including public and private companies, entrepreneurs and partnerships. He exhibits strength in M&A, private equity transactions and insolvency issues. 'David manages that fine line between legal expert and commercial realist, and he is fiercely intellectual.'
Sebastian Orton maintains a wide-ranging corporate practice, including AIM IPOs, secondary fund-raisings and takeovers. 'He is always available, he's really easy to talk to and he's able to translate legal knowledge into commercial understanding to help work out the right options for the client's business.'
David Tighe advises clients on a range of domestic and international corporate issues including mergers and acquisitions. Clients include those in the technology and media sectors.
Chambers UK - 2021 edition
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP has recently seen significant growth in cross-border work, with a growing number of transactions involving the US, India, China and Germany. The group regularly acts for high net worth entrepreneurs, owner managed businesses, investors and publicly listed companies with a focus on the tech, real estate, private wealth and retail sectors. Seb Orton has significant experience advising both private and public companies as well as financial institutions on IPOs, secondary fundraisings, M&A, including public company takeovers, and corporate governance issues. Department head Matthew Martin is an expert in acquisition finance, restructuring and refinancing, acting for a wide range of quoted and unquoted mid-cap companies.
Offering clients 'workable and cost-effective solutions', Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP's Guildford-based team advises on a number of large corporate transactions, as well as reorganisations and joint ventures. They are particularly active in transactions involving international acquisitions of UK companies, especially in the technology sector. The team is led by Simon Bickerdike and also includes David Kendall.
The 'outstanding' team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP acts for both buyers and sellers in mid-market M&A transactions, particularly in the technology and life science sectors. In Reading, Rob Hayes and Justin Starling handle venture capital work, as well as offering general advice on acquisitions, disposals, buyouts, demergers and reorganisations. Will Axtell and James Went operate from the Oxford office; the former leads on large technology transactions, while the latter specialises in M&A and venture capital financing.
Our main relationships are with David Tighe and James Went, both of whom are outstanding. We are particularly appreciative of the extent to which they provide direct, clear and understandable responses to our questions.
The Cambridge office plays a key role in the firm's national offering. Helen Drayton handles all aspects of company law, including mergers and acquisitions, and has a particular focus on MBOs and acquisitions for owner-managed businesses.
The Legal 500 - 2021 edition
The corporate team has a key strategic focus on the technology, real estate, private wealth and retail sectors. Clients include high net worth individuals, owner-managed businesses and corporate investors; mandates typically involve fundraising, divestment and restructuring. With a presence in San Francisco, the team is able to coordinate transatlantic work in-house, including foreign direct investment into the UK. The recent hire of Sebastian Orton has strengthened the team's capabilities in public market work, particularly in flotations and secondary fundraisings.
Key partner Helen Drayton in Cambridge plays a pivotal role in some of the firm's largest transactions. The practice acts for technology, biotech and pharmaceutical clients, as well as academic institutions and non-profit research organisations. Associate Katharine Robinson is a rising star in technology, real estate, food and agriculture M&A deals. Ross McNaughton is predominantly based in San Francisco, but still leads deals through the Cambridge office.
The [Guildford] team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is highly rated by the market. National corporate head Simon Bickerdike, the 'commercially-minded' David Kendall and associate Hannah McIlwraith assist regional and international clients on high-value acquisitions, MBOs and joint ventures. They handle private equity-funded transactions and the firm also offers multi-discipline expertise, especially in IP.
Oxford-based partners Will Axtell and James Went specialise in M&A, fundraisings and AIM capital markets. In Reading, Rob Hayes acts on behalf of investors and investee companies in mid-market M&A and venture capital transactions.
The Legal 500 - 2020 edition
Strong corporate practice acting for clients from a range of sectors such as technology, life sciences and retail. Offers an impressive national and international network to clients, including a wide range of early-stage and start-up companies, along with significant expertise in venture capital and private equity investment matters. Substantial experience in cross-border matters with the USA, aided by the firm's San Francisco presence.
Strengths: One source says: ‘The discussions and solutions are very business-driven. Penningtons Manches ensure that they fully understand the business to ensure the advice delivered produces the best business outcome.’
‘I was very pleased and impressed with the quality of their services and responsiveness’, enthuses one client.
A source praises the firm's ability to ‘take complex issues and provide counsel in a concise, easy-to-understand way.’
‘What I like is that they're technically strong on the legal aspects, as you would expect, but what you also get is insight, recommendation and problem-solving. They give you commercial answers to legal questions and look at alternative solutions,’ remarks a client.
‘The whole team is excellent,’ declares an interviewee, explaining: ‘The whole team is available whenever we need them, including weekends and all night.’
Notable practitioners
William Axtell is a recognised practitioner.
Simon Bickerdike is head of the firm's corporate team and advises on significant transactions, both domestic and cross-border. He has particular expertise in complex multiparty transactions. Sources say: ‘His strengths are his personality and communication skills,’ with one client highlighting that ‘Simon truly understands our business and what drives it.’
Helen Drayton focuses her practice on corporate work, specialising in M&A and MBOs. She also handles corporate restructurings for clients.
The ‘excellent’ Rob Hayes handles private equity, venture capital and M&A transactions, and advises clients on corporate governance. He wins praise for his commercial attitude and problem-solving approach as well as his client service.
David Kendall advises on a wide range of corporate transactions, with particular experience concerning joint venture acquisitions. Clients say: ‘David gives very sensible, pragmatic advice and is also very responsive.’
Nicola McConville handles a range of corporate matters for clients and specialises in working with companies in the technology sector.
Ross McNaughton deals with a range of corporate work, with a particular focus on cross-border transactions with the USA and Asia.
Justin Starling advises clients on a wide range of corporate matters, including buyouts, demergers, acquisitions and disposals. He is praised for his high level of technical skill.
David Tighe specialises in assisting clients in the technology, media and publishing sectors with a broad range of corporate transactions. A source reports that ‘he fought our corner on issues that needed fighting but did not raise issues that were minor or just to make a point. When he does raise an issue he has the experience and gravitas needed to carry it through and reach sensible conclusions.’
Chambers UK - 2019 edition
National firm able to draw on an increasing global presence when acting for a domestic and international client base on the full range of corporate matters. Notable expertise in acting for local high-growth and technology companies in overseas investment matters, as well as for clients in the healthcare sector. Draws on support from the firm's real estate and private wealth teams to provide clients with a full transactional service.
Strengths: ‘Fantastic – they're timely, knowledgeable and keep things simple. I would recommend them to every startup out there,’ says a source.
Sources say the firm has a ‘good-quality team with broad knowledge and experience.’
Clients say: ‘We find them straightforward to deal with and they offer clear advice.’
Another source notes: ‘The firm is excellent. I would recommend it to anyone seeking to complete a highly complex M&A transaction.’
Notable practitioners
Clients describe Simon Bickerdike as ‘very sharp, very intelligent and a good communicator.’ He handles both domestic and international transactions, with particular expertise in matters involving the technology and education sectors.
Helen Drayton has a strong focus on MBOs as part of a broad corporate transactional practice. Sources say of her: ‘She's capable, well liked locally, and she can run a good M&A deal.’ She also handles reorganisations and demergers.
Liz Gillingham advises clients of all sizes on M&A and corporate finance transactions. She has a strong focus on the education sector and has also handled matters arising in the technology sphere.
Rob Hayes acts for both investors and investee companies on sophisticated venture capital matters alongside his mid-market M&A practice. Interviewees say: ‘He's very commercial and very relaxed,’ adding: ‘He knows what matters and what doesn't, and has a good overview of the transactions and what drives them.'
David Kendall advises private and public limited companies, partnerships and entrepreneurs on corporate governance and a broad range of transactional matters. One client says he is ‘intensely commercial,’ adding: ‘He has an unusual mix of creative yet insightful advice.’
Nicola McConville is ‘user-friendly and knowledgeable,’ according to a source, who adds: ‘She always takes a solutions-based approach.’ Her corporate practice places a strong emphasis on the technology sector, in particular start-up and growth stage companies.
Justin Starling advises a series of clients from the life sciences and tech sectors on venture capital and M&A transactions. Commentators describe him as ‘a good commercial lawyer with a thorough understanding of corporate finance matters.’
David Tighe's practice spans the full range of corporate work, including buyouts, joint ventures and reorganisations as well as M&A. A source notes: ‘He's very responsive and knows our business. He tailors his advice knowing what we need and what our business needs.’
Chambers UK - 2018 edition
XL Marketing Corp, a leading US based digital marketing business expanding into the UK and EU, has sought advice from the firm on a range of corporate matters including UK acquisitions and acquisition structuring matters. Our experience is that the team…have been accessible, responsive, commercial and solutions-focused.
Dan Berger, General counsel, XL Marketing Corp
A refreshing, innovative and supportive approach to working with clients. We found our Penningtons Manches experience extremely positive as we were guided through the legal mysteries with direction and understanding. Everything was explained to our full understanding in a very friendly and clear manner. We would certainly use them again.
Ian Morris, Sales director, ATM Cashpoint Spares
As ever, [their] proactive, professional and commercial advice ensured that this transaction ran smoothly from start to finish. We were very impressed with the service provided.
Martin Edwards, Finance director, Haulotte Group
Having worked with [the firm] since 2004 our relationship has grown significantly. We have a broad relationship with the team there and have engaged across all the services they provide. The benefits are huge when you have a strong history with your lawyers. [They] always deliver and knowing our business inside out as they do just makes things easy - without them we would be lost.
Huw Owen, Managing director, Gordon Murray Design
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Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC311575 and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
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