Freeths advises on 70 corporate deals in one month

7th November 2024

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, acquisition, 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.

ABOUT FREETHS

Freeths is a top 50 commercial law firm. Relied on by private and public sector clients including Centrica PLC, ENGIE, Aldi, Mercedes-Benz UK, Tarmac, Experian, and Lloyds Bank.

Freeths was recently awarded B Corporation (B Corp) certification, demonstrating its dedication to complying with high standards of environmental and social impact and governance.

Freeths launched the landmark High Court victory for 555 sub-postmaster clients against the Post Office, which exposed Britain's largest miscarriage of justice. The firm now advises on the subsequent GLO and Horizon Convictions Redress compensation schemes.

Milestone achievements:

• Winner of Law Firm of the Year at the Legal Business Awards 2024
• Commended for Law Firm of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2024
• Recognised in The Legal 500 Green Guide 2024
• Listed in The Times Best Law Firms 2024
• Ranked in the top tiers of Legal 500 and Chambers legal guides
• Ranked 44 in The Lawyer’s Top 100 UK law firms
• ‘Diversity Champion’ for Stonewall – a charity supporting LGBTQ+ rights