Freeths advises on 70 corporate deals in one month

National law firm Freeths has successfully completed 70 corporate transactions for clients in October ahead of a historic Budget announcement.

Closing an average of over two deals a day, Freeths also had more than 15 signed off the day before Chancellor Rachael Reeves delivered Labour’s first Budget in 14 years.

Working on transactions from high profile clients across a number of sectors across the UK including energy, retail and hospitality, telecommunications, healthcare and technology, the M&A team ensured it provided consistency and quality amongst the backdrop of a new Government. 

Headed up by Leon Arnold, the Freeths team is regularly instructed by clients on mergers, acquisitions, disposals and private equity investments, continuing to bolster its footprint across the UK this year with strategic key hires, leading the way amongst competitors.

Commenting on the team’s successes, Leon Arnold said: “I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved this last month, which is down to the collaboration, dedication and talent of our team. Thank you to our clients and referrers for trusting us to get these transactions completed in challenging conditions.”

Corporate Partner Lee Clifford added: “The drumbeat leading up to the budget was all about revenue raising and tax hikes. An increase to capital gains tax was firmly earmarked. Whilst this is not exclusively driven timelines in October, it has certainly added focus for parties who are in deal processes."

“The Freeths Corporate team have been on hand to help deliver results throughout October. There has been a real mix in the deal make up, from advising private equity on investments, to helping shareholders of SME businesses successfully exit, to restructurings. In retrospect, this has demonstrated the benefits of having a large and experienced corporate team on hand to react quickly to deal timelines. Being able to guide owners with solutions has been of paramount importance. It has been a fun period and allowed us to demonstrate what we are good at. Looking forward I expect deal activity to be maintained.”

The firm’s commitment to ensuring quality M&A activity follows a year of record growth for Freeths’ corporate arm. Partner Martin Smith joined the team in April, closely followed by Director Hannah Tessyman in May. The firm later welcomed the addition of Partner Ania Vernon in June. Senior Associate Grace Hill is the latest to be appointed in the East Midlands.